Following a series of drone sightings in New Jersey last week, unidentified drones have now been spotted near the NAS Joint Reserve Base and Lockheed Martin facilities in North Texas.
According to investigators who spoke with NBC DFW, residents and police officers began reporting drone activity Tuesday after 8 p.m. The drones, which flew about 30 meters in the air, were spotted in White Settlement, near high-profile military sites. Witnesses observed them in different groups, sometimes flying in clusters of six, and sometimes in pairs or trios.
The sightings lasted two hours and some reports came from federal law enforcement, NBC DFW reported.
“Pretty concerning, especially with all the national story,” White Settlement Police Chief Chris Cook told NBC DFW. “I think people are just kind of aware of what’s happening in the Northeast.”
US government officials and citizens are already on high alert after more than 5,000 drone sightings were reported across the country in the past month. Despite the large number of reports, the FBI says it has discovered nothing nefarious since the flood of sightings in the Northeast began fueling concerns about national security and air safety.
In a joint statement, the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, the FAA and the Pentagon confirmed that they have received approximately 100 tips about 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 legal commercial drones, hobbyist drones and law enforcement drones, as well as manned fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters and stars that have been incorrectly reported as drones,” the statement said. “We have not identified a risk to national security or public safety.”
Who owns the airspace 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 areas without congestion and 1,000 feet in areas with congestion. However, property owners still retain certain rights to the direct airspace above their land.
With the increase in the use of drones, airspace rights have become more complex.
Drones can photograph public land without restrictions, but when it comes to private property, stricter rules apply. Violations could 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 severe penalties including fines of up to $250,000 and prison sentences of 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 may be prosecuted as criminal mischief.” The penalties depend on the value of the damaged property, ranging from a class C misdemeanor to a first-degree misdemeanor.
What should you do if you spot a drone?
If you see an unknown drone, try not to disturb it. Instead, contact your local law enforcement agency or the FAA to report the sighting. Be sure to provide details about the location, appearance of the drone and any suspicious activity you observe.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Mysterious drones spotted near Texas military base, police say
