MABAS Division 113 Drone Unit

12/01/2024

Our thoughts are with the family of Jacob and the community of Two Rivers during this difficult time.

Team members from our unit worked alongside other responding agencies in Two Rivers last evening to locate Jacob. While the weather proved to be challenging, teams worked together during the search efforts.

Release Date: December 1, 2024, 12:00 PM

It is with great sadness that we report that the body of 7-year Jacob Baer was recovered this morning from the West Twin River in Two Rivers. Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Jacob Baer.

On 11/30/24 Officers were dispatched for a possible missing child complaint at 1818 School St. The missing child, Jacob Baer, was described as a 7-year-old autistic boy who was playing outside when his parent lost sight of him. An immediate search was conducted using many resources throughout the night, as well as an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. A Missing and Endangered Alert, as well as a local alert, was also sent out through our Emergency Operations Center. Search efforts located several items belonging to Jacob and they were recovered from the water last night. This morning the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources was able to identify a possible location, in 5 to 6 feet of water, for what was believed to be Jacob. Recovery operations continued until late this morning. A body was recovered from that location and was positively identified as Jacob Baer.

We would like to thank the following agencies for their assistance- Two Rivers Fire Dept, Town of Two Rivers Fire Dept, Two Rivers Parks and Recreation Dept, Two Rivers Dept of Public Works, Manitowoc PD, Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office, Mishicot PD, Brillion PD, Green Bay PD, De Pere PD, Manitowoc County Dispatch, Manitowoc County Emergency Management, Manitowoc County Coroner’s Office, Manitowoc County District Attorney’s Office, Wisconsin Crime Alert Network, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), WI Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Office, Wisconsin K9 SOS Search and Rescue, Brown County Sheriff’s Office, WI State Patrol, the US Coast Guard, WI Army National Guard and Kwik Trip. In addition, we would like to thank our community for their support, patience and search efforts.

This tragic event is a reminder of how dangerous the ice can be on our waterways, especially this time of year when it is very thin. Please stay off the ice and keep your children safe by monitoring them closely when around any waterway.

We also ask that you respect the family’s right to privacy. This incident is still under investigation and no further information will be released at this time

Captain Andrew Raatz
Two Rivers Police Department

11/30/2024

On Wednesday Nov. 27, 2024. Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Office requested our unit to assist with an overdue hunter. Thanks to the use of our drones, our team members and the software we utilize to collaborate with all responding units, we were able to locate the hunter and direct responders to their location.

11/07/2024

Today, drone teams from Sheboygan County Sheriff's Office, Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office and Manitowoc Police Department participated in a training session alongside the Sheboygan Fire Department and Sheboygan Police Department at the Maywood - Ellwood H. May Environmental Park.

We would like to thank George D. Warriner High School for participating in the training by allowing us to use their students for the day. The students not only had a fun time participating as subjects for the missions, but also learned a lot on how public safety agencies can come together on larger events to accomplish a shared goal.

Our teams worked diligently on communications and search and rescue tactics throughout the day. Both drone operators and observers worked together on simulated search and rescue and law enforcement training missions that included sending ground teams out to students location. The students acted out various scenarios when approached by search and rescue teams or law enforcement officers.

Thank you to all of our participants today, as the skills and techniques that we practiced upon today will be used to help save lives in the future.

10/24/2022

Help Support Sheboygan County's K-9 Program!

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06/26/2022

Thank you to everyone that joined us today at the Walmart Sheboygan - Vanguard Dr safety days. It was nice seeing all the other agencies involved such as Sheboygan County Sheriff's Office, Town of Sheboygan Fire Department, Orange Cross Ambulance, Inc. Sheboygan Falls Police Department and the other agencies that were in attendance.

09/26/2021

This weekend our unit supplied aerial images for the Ryder Cup. Great job to all of the many agencies involved in the event.

08/25/2021

Our unit was asked to be part of Safety Day, stop out and talk with members of our team and see the different drones we have. There is even a chance that we will be flying some.

08/11/2021

Unfortunately tonight's event was cancelled, but our unit will be there for the rescheduled event on August 25, 2021.

07/25/2021

Another shot of the American Tribute Ride on July 24th, 2021.

07/25/2021

It was an honor to support the American Tribute Ride today by providing aerial coverage of the event. More than 100 motorcycles rode from Kiel, into Sheboygan and back.

We had our M210, Mavic Enterprise 2 and Phantom 4 flying to support todays event at the Town of Sheboygan Fire Department.

07/04/2021

During the NASCAR race, our airport has more than usual aircraft traffic. Coordinators had to close runway 13/31 and use it for parking.

Our drone team coordinated with the county airport manager and FAA to conduct this flight. Team members also were in radio contact with the tower and other aircraft to ensure a safe flight.

Today is the last day Sheboygan County Memorial Airport will be under tower control (until the Ryder Cup this fall).

07/02/2021

Are you getting ready to celebrate the 4th of July with your drone? Here are some tips to follow for this weekends festivities.

- Don't fly your drone in or near fireworks. This is dangerous and could cause a malfunction on your drone. Also, for night flying, you are required to have a functional strobe light that is visible for three statute miles. We don't want to see that during the show!

- Don't fly over people. This is very dangerous and one of the more common things we see pilots not paying attention to. If your drone suffers a malfunction, it could endanger those below.

- Do not fly near airports. Are you aware that this weekend we have a control tower at Sheboygan County Memorial Airport? This is due to the extra aircraft traffic from the NASCAR race. That means no unauthorized flights within 4 nautical miles of the airport. The airport is operational from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. The tower will conclude after July 4th, unless the NASCAR uses the alternate race day of the 5th. Two-way radio communication is required prior to entering the Temporary Tower airspace. The attached ring shows the tower airspace.

We hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable weekend!