On Wednesday, Winston-Salem police closed The Quarry at Grant Park as investigators continue to search for a missing teenager, and multiple officials involved in different aspects of the search spoke to provide insight into the kinds of tools used in the search.
“As we take all missing persons cases extremely serious, it’s important to note this case in particular is unique in the sense that the last known location of Mr. Allen was at the quarry,” Winston-Salem Police Chief William Penn said.
Penn said the the city has an average of about 30 missing persons cases a month, and, “overwhelmingly,” a majority are on land, placing this case among outliers.
Penn said the city uses grid search tactics, community canvassing and camera footage to search for missing persons.
The Winston-Salem Fire Department water rescue team can help by getting boats in the water.
The High Point Fire Department has a dive team, which is used as a last resort to avoid putting divers in any danger, according to HPFD Asst. Chief Michael Foster. Officials did not disclose if divers are involved in this case but did say that typically divers are involved in searches spanning multiple days.
The search teams also have access to drones equipped with thermal technology, sonar-equipped devices such as the Marine Sonic towfish and a Deep Trekker underwater remotely operated vehicle which includes sonar and a 4K camera.
The police department is working with Winston-Salem Fire Department, High Point Fire Department, the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office and Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Emergency Management.
At this point, police say they do not suspect foul play.
As of Tuesday, “Rock Out the Quarry,” a large community event scheduled to take place from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday at Quarry at Grant Park, is expected to go on as planned and will not be impacted by Thursday’s closure or the search.
