SYLACAUGA, Ala. – The Sylacauga Police Department has received a $5,000 grant from Norfolk Southern through its Safety First Grant Program to support the department’s Community Safety Drone Initiative.
The funding will help purchase a high-performance drone to establish a public safety unmanned aircraft system program designed to strengthen emergency response, improve situational awareness, and enhance safety for officers and the community.
“I am grateful to Norfolk Southern for their help in providing an additional resource in protecting our community,” Police Chief Rondell Muse said.
The initiative will give officers aerial assessment capabilities during traffic crashes, hazardous situations, missing-person searches, criminal apprehensions, and natural disasters.
Using the drone, officers will be able to gather real-time information, identify potential hazards, and evaluate developing situations before making operational decisions. The technology is also expected to expand search capabilities, improve response times, support safer tactical operations, and help reduce risks to officers, emergency responders, and residents.
The program could also allow the department to deploy personnel and equipment more efficiently during critical incidents and emergencies.
The grant is part of Norfolk Southern’s effort to support communities throughout its 22-state network. Launched in 2023, the railroad’s open-application grant programs fund organizations working in safety, sustainability, workforce development, and community resilience.
“The Safety First Grant Program advances community safety by supporting First Responders, emergency preparedness initiatives, and safety education,” said Kristin Wong, Director of the Norfolk Southern Foundation and Community Impact. “It honors those who protect our neighborhoods every day and aims to foster a culture of safety throughout Norfolk Southern’s network.”
Norfolk Southern and its predecessor companies have transported goods across the United States since 1827. The company operates a freight transportation network spanning 22 states and serves industries ranging from agriculture to consumer goods.
The Sylacauga Police Department’s drone initiative will add another tool to its public safety resources, providing officers with an aerial perspective to help assess incidents, coordinate responses, and make informed decisions when seconds matter.
