ROYAL OAK, Mich. – Technology normally used to catch criminals on the run came in handy last weekend when Royal Oak police were trying to save a man's life.
Using an optic thermal imaging camera, police see the body heat of the people they are looking for. Every time an officer in Royal Oak is on patrol, the camera is on, looking for people hiding in dark corners or alleys, ready to break into houses or cars.
"The camera can see heat signatures," Lt. Keith Spencer said. "It doesn't see into buildings out in the open. It shows up on camera."
Using the camera, Royal Oak Officer Anthony Gagliardi picked up the image last weekend of a man by a tree at St. Mary's Church.
The man had a chain around his neck. It was an attempted suicide.
Officers are trained to help a person in that critical moment. Other officers arrived, and they were able to take the person into protective custody.
That person is currently getting help.
This time, the technology caught a glimpse of a person just in time.
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