Grand Rapids Police Dept. Begins Using Rescue Discs

Frisbee With Rope Will Help Prevent Drowning

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The Grand Rapids Police Department has added a new piece of safety equipment to their belt.

The rescue disc is a Frisbee that contains 100 feet of rope for officers to throw at a person drowning, then pull them safely to shore.

All patrolmen now carry these discs, and say it is essential in an area with so many lakes.

“We have a lot of equipment on us, so we can’t easily get in the water, and what a quick way to just throw this, throw it out there and get to someone quick,” explained Matt O’Rourke, an officer of the Grand Rapids PD. “It takes probably 10 seconds for you to grab this thing and chuck it out there.”

Officers say these rescue discs are becoming more and more common in police departments across the country.