STATEWIDE, Ind. (WOWO) — Hoosiers are encouraged to report drone activity near quarantine sites to local law enforcement.
The Indiana Department of Homeland Security, along with local and federal officials, continue to monitor an increase in drone activity near sites where outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza have been identified.
Local law enforcement has received reports of several drones spotted in Adams, Allen, Jackson, and Jay counties in Indiana as well as nearby Ohio locations.
Many of these drones have been reported flying over farms identified by the Board of Animal Health, and some reports have surfaced of people shooting at the drones to bring them down.
It is a crime to shoot down a drone. It is a felony to “damage, destroy, disable or wreck any aircraft,” punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison.
All reports of drones or personal operators in these counties should be reported to the local county Emergency Management Agency or law enforcement.
Agricultural areas and farms affected by avian influenza are quarantined, and any unlawful entry (by drones or citizens) could spread the virus. Some reports have surfaced to indicate drones have landed on barns in these areas, and there is legitimate concern the drones could transmit disease from one location to the next.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Federal Aviation Administration are working with state (IDHS, Board of Animal Health) and local law enforcement to monitor the airspace. Flight restrictions in certain areas are being considered.
1 comment
“It is a crime to shoot down a drone. It is a felony to “damage, destroy, disable or wreck any aircraft,” punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison.”…This Law needs changed especially if they are in obvious surveillance of your private property. What is the elevation threshold…400′ Above ground….
They are not passenger aircraft, they are nuisance, an invasion of privacy just like trespassers on your property especially if they are ‘low’ (400′-?) and have no legal right (against the 4th A) to be able to invade my personal property just because they are mis-classified, given the same as passenger aircraft.