Following a series of drone sightings in New Jersey last week, unidentified drones have now been observed near the NAS Joint Reserve Base and Lockheed Martin facilities in North Texas.
According to investigators speaking to NBC DFW, residents and police officers began reporting drone activity after 8 p.m. on Tuesday. The drones, flying approximately 100 feet in the air, were seen in White Settlement, near high-profile military sites. Witnesses observed them in various groupings, sometimes flying in clusters of six, and at other times in pairs or trios.
The sightings continued for two hours with some reports coming from federal law enforcement, NBC DFW reported.
“Kind of concerning, especially with all the national narrative,” White Settlement Police Chief Chris Cook told NBC DFW. “I think people are just kind of in tune with what’s been going on in the northeast.”
United States government officials and citizens are already on high alert after more than 5,000 drone sightings have been reported across the country over the last month. Despite the volume of reports, the FBI says it has uncovered nothing nefarious since the deluge of sightings across the Northeast began fueling concerns about national security and airspace safety.
In a joint statement, the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, FAA, and the Pentagon confirmed they have received around 100 tips regarding these sightings. The Biden administration has deployed advanced detection technology and trained visual observers in the region to investigate the reports and analyze technical data.
“The sightings to date include a combination of lawful commercial drones, hobbyist drones and law enforcement drones, as well as manned fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters and stars mistakenly reported as drones,” the statement said. “We have not identified … a national security or public safety risk.”
Who owns the air space in Texas?
The airspace above your property is primarily regulated by federal law, with the Federal Aviation Administration overseeing navigable airspace, which is considered a “public highway.” This includes airspace above 500 feet in uncongested areas and 1,000 feet in congested areas. However, property owners still retain certain rights to the immediate airspace above their land.
With the rise in drone use, airspace rights have become more complex.
Drones can photograph public property without restrictions, but when it comes to private property, stricter regulations apply. Violations can result in civil action or criminal charges, although these laws are still developing and subject to judicial review, according to The Weaver Law Firm in Houston and San Antonio.
Can you legally shoot down a drone in Texas?
Because the FAA classifies drones as aircraft, shooting them down could violate several federal laws, with the most serious penalties including fines of up to $250,000 and imprisonment for up to 20 years. Drones are protected under the same laws that prevent interference with manned aircraft.
Additionally, under Texas Penal Code § 28.03, “damaging or destroying a drone could be prosecuted as criminal mischief.” Penalties depend on the value of the damaged property, ranging from a Class C misdemeanor to a first-degree felony.
What to do if you spot a drone
If you spot an unfamiliar drone, do not attempt to interfere with it. Instead, contact your local law enforcement or the FAA to report the sighting. Be sure to provide details about the drone’s location, appearance, and any suspicious activity you observe.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Mysterious drones spotted near Texas military base, police say