Drones and a few operation questions

[DILLIGAF]

So....a lot of drone activity in a small community in S CA. This has been happening at night and LOTS of drones flying all over a neighborhood and very low. They move around quite a bit but also hoover over roofs and can be stationary for periods of time. Its been going on apx a week or so. It might be happening during the day as well but not sure about that as people are at work etc

Assuming its not LEO looking for something....what else could it be? I do have a call in for them and they will be calling me back...there is no illegal activity at the particular house that told me about this and it has been going on for a while. I could understand LEO using multiple drones looking for someone avoiding them but this has been ongoing for a week or so like I mentioned.

I know the Dept of Food and Agriculture has been eradicating an invasive fruit fly pretty aggressively in Redlands. Somehow they know who has fruit trues and are going door to door to remove the fruit. Its a big deal financially as they don't want it to spread to commercial crops which are worth billions.

Also heard that SCE uses drones to check on electrical lines.

Also Cal Trans has an Aeronautical division that sometimes uses them to scope out for road expansions. I believe they are also in charge of the drone stuff themselves but not 100% sure on that.

I cannot get anybody to answer the phone at these places and talk to someone about it.

I don't think its a neighbor messing around because there are too many drones. It isn't just one....and as many as 5 in a pretty limited area.

Its is kind of strange to say the least. Other neighbors have seen them and I have looked at multiple RING videos where they are clearly showing on camera.

So......
Is it illegal for private citizens to run these things at night?
Is there any legal statues for private citizens that limit them from flying near yards and immediately over houses....things like that?
Would any of these agencies be flying at night (besides LEO) to collect information in a particular neighborhood or house?

Its bizarre to say the least.....No....its not drugs or paranoia either as I have seen the videos of them buzzing around.

Any drone guys on here that might make some sense out of this? I am really curious and now its on my radar to find out WTF is going on.

 

[lakemadness]

I'll grab my tinfoil hat, and be back in a sec...

 

[DILLIGAF]

I'll grab my tinfoil hat, and be back in a sec...

Its serious questions....not tin foil stuff...lol

The number of drones around the neighborhood eliminate a resident doing this.

Also....if some criminal group was planning on robbing people (that does happen) it has been ongoing for too long with too much in your face kind of operation. So no go on that either.

 

[traquer]

Well your name is DILLIGAF after all, and not DILLIGAFF. You don't like the flying part!

 

[LhcBrad]

Can you tell the size of these drones?

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

It’s all of the above.
Harmless people or kids, criminals, perverts, code enforcement, realtors, insurance companies, law enforcement, etc.

Just depends on time of day, and what neighborhood.

Start shooting at them, and you’ll find out whose they are .

 

[185EZ]

You're not "supposed" to fly at night and VLS, visual line of sight.
Unless they are less than 250 grams they now need a RID, remote identification in order to fly and they can track you.

 

[DILLIGAF]

Can you tell the size of these drones?

Look like typical size. The green and red lights on them....

 

[DILLIGAF]

You're not "supposed" to fly at night and VLS, visual line of sight.
Unless they are less than 250 grams they now need a RID, remote identification in order to fly and they can track you.

Just talked to the police and said there isn't much they can do about it unless peering thru windows kind of stuff. Said if you take one down you could be charged with a crime. Like theft if you didn't return it. They advised to just try to find out where they are coming from and let them know. They just are flying from different directions and come and go for the most part

 

[DILLIGAF]

You're not "supposed" to fly at night and VLS, visual line of sight.
Unless they are less than 250 grams they now need a RID, remote identification in order to fly and they can track you.

The police basically said its OK to do as long as they aren't peering in windows or exceeding the max height which would then make it a FAA deal

250Grams of the weight of the drone?

 

[Bobby V]

Its serious questions....not tin foil stuff...lol

The number of drones around the neighborhood eliminate a resident doing this.

Also....if some criminal group was planning on robbing people (that does happen) it has been ongoing for too long with too much in your face kind of operation. So no go on that either.

RDP Realty uses them all the time for their ads. Lol

 

[185EZ]

The police basically said its OK to do as long as they aren't peering in windows or exceeding the max height which would then make it a FAA deal

250Grams of the weight of the drone?

Yes, DJI makes some great mini drones since the Mini 2, 3 and now 4.
I have a mini 2 and it does almost all the things my Mavic pro did for half the cost.
Plus you don't need registration.

 

[DILLIGAF]

Yes, DJI makes some great mini drones since the Mini 2, 3 and now 4.
I have a mini 2 and it does almost all the things my Mavic pro did for half the cost.
Plus you don't need registration.

Thank you for the info

 

[DILLIGAF]

RDP Realty uses them all the time for their ads. Lol

I would bet 95% would be done during the day and not at night

 

[DILLIGAF]

Anyhow.....that gives me a few things to work on. I just wish some of these CA gov entities would answer their fucking phones

Thanks guys

 

[02HoWaRd26]

Lights out and use an air rifle.

I have the mini 4 now and being under 250g makes it where i don’t need any permission or license. But there are still ordinances as well laws to abide by. Legally line of sight, which no one abides by, but flying at night is a lot of fun I’ll admit. Seems however whoever your dealing with is trying to annoy people directly, .22 air rifle, super accurate as well pretty quiet, crack a window open and only let the tip of the barrel out lol.

 

[DILLIGAF]

Lights out and use an air rifle.

I have the mini 4 now and being under 250g makes it where i don’t need any permission or license. But there are still ordinances as well laws to abide by. Legally line of sight, which no one abides by, but flying at night is a lot of fun I’ll admit. Seems however whoever your dealing with is trying to annoy people directly, .22 air rifle, super accurate as well pretty quiet, crack a window open and only let the tip of the barrel out lol.

ya. CA is a whole other ball game vs AZ and TX

 

[Riverbound]

I read in another thread where insurance companies were also using them to survey properties?

out side of that, if one was consistently above my house It would probably have a “failure” which resulted in it crashing into my pool. it would then probably get tossed in a planter, for the owner to retrieve it. hence not a criminal act or theft.

 

[Flatsix66]

Thieves checking to see if your home before they break in.

 

[JDKRXW]

Lights out and use an air rifle.

I have the mini 4 now and being under 250g makes it where i don’t need any permission or license. But there are still ordinances as well laws to abide by. Legally line of sight, which no one abides by, but flying at night is a lot of fun I’ll admit. Seems however whoever your dealing with is trying to annoy people directly, .22 air rifle, super accurate as well pretty quiet, crack a window open and only let the tip of the barrel out lol.

I was thinking more like a .410 with buckshot.
They're surprisingly quiet. (seriously)

 

[2Driver]

Id say kids peeping and or HOA. Heard some alarming stuff about hoa’s flying and citing for things they would have never otherwise known about. Nighttime, I’d say kids looking for titties.

A nice casting rod with a big trihook lurer will do the trick, then toss the heap out in the street. Gee officer I was out back practicing for an upcoming bass tournament and this thing flew right into me. Or say you were super high on gummies and didnt know what you were doing.

 

[Hypnautic]

I would file a request with the FAA.
If these drones are being used for a commercial purpose they must be registered.

This also brings up the ownership of the air above you. Gone are the "heaven to hell" land and airspace ownership--however you still do own the air up to a useable and reasonable altitude for the enjoyment of your property. If these are flying to low and cause a disruption over your property--you may have a claim. If they are over public land or another property--I dont think you can do much.

My first thought would have been the City using drones to locate unpermitted pools or structures. However, those would fly a few hundred feet off the ground and move over house to house relatively quick. If the ones you see are flying stationary over the same area--then not sure what they are doing.

 

[monkeyswrench]

A few years back, had some fuktard kid up the road spooking my horses with one. Talked to the deputy across the street. He basically said the same, no real laws yet except peeping Tom stuff. He said in my case, I could've talked to the USDA I believe...because of live stock.

I tracked it one day, and then went ona weekend to the house in question...haven't seen the drone since.

With my son's drone, we experimented with some radio stuff. If a person were to have the proper equipment, and no regard for the FCC, they may "return home" after losing contact with the controller.

 

[DILLIGAF]

isnt the Ag dept as they dont use drones

new info is they are larger than the non lic ones and more commercial grade.

 

[DILLIGAF]

going to contact the FAA

 

[Nordie]

It's @bumsndrones

Bad2theDrone on Instagram: "🚁🫡"

50K likes, 861 comments - bumsndrones on January 19, 2024: "🚁🫡"

www.instagram.com

 

[papabear639]

Look up FAA part 107, that will explain a bit more of what is legal and what is not.

 

[bonesfab]

Little Johhny is just trying to perv on the local milfs. Let him be.

 

[Cole Trickle]

5 at 1 time is weird.

5 at night is even weirder.

Someone with a ring camera should walk out side and go ask questions the range isnt crazy long so you should be able to track a person down and ask questions.

You should be ale to tell a hobbyist vs a government agency drone in size and power of the drone.

 

[DILLIGAF]

5 at 1 time is weird.

5 at night is even weirder.

Someone with a ring camera should walk out side and go ask questions the range isnt crazy long so you should be able to track a person down and ask questions.

You should be ale to tell a hobbyist vs a government agency drone in size and power of the drone.

the ring camera has recorded them multiple times. i have seen them on recordings

they seem to be bigger than hobbyist size

bizarro world

lets see if it continues tonight

 

[yz450mm]

Buy or borrow your own drone and follow one back to the landing site, have someone drive while you fly.

 

[DILLIGAF]

Buy or borrow your own drone and follow one back to the landing site, have someone drive while you fly.

thats not a bad idea

 

[SoCalDave]

5 at 1 time is weird.

5 at night is even weirder.

Someone with a ring camera should walk out side and go ask questions the range isnt crazy long so you should be able to track a person down and ask questions.

I have the DJI Mini 2 and the distance is surprising.

The DJI Mini 2 drone can fly up to a maximum distance of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) under optimal conditions, with no obstructions or interference. However, real-world factors such as weather, battery life, and legal restrictions can affect this range.

 

[BareFoot200]

for the honest drone operators.....

 

[Flatsix66]

If drones were that good for perving then wouldn't @Wheeler have one?

 

[FlyByWire]

Get one of those net guns that Wile E. Coyote uses.. I bet you find out whose drones they are real quick if you get a hold of one.


Note: the above is not legal advice.

 

[traquer]

This should do the trick nicely!

 

[Havasu blue label]

Its serious questions....not tin foil stuff...lol

The number of drones around the neighborhood eliminate a resident doing this.

Also....if some criminal group was planning on robbing people (that does happen) it has been ongoing for too long with too much in your face kind of operation. So no go on that either.

It’s the local pd it’s been going on in my neighborhood for 3 weeks

 

[DILLIGAF]

It’s the local pd it’s been going on in my neighborhood for 3 weeks

they claim they would not be so low but...possible a street cop doesnt even know about it anyhow.

also...If they felt it necessary why wouldnt they

 

[angiebaby]

Sounds like the job for a couple of air rifles.

 

[4Waters]

I'm just checking properties for old muscle cars to buy. Mind you own business

 

[rrrr]

Yes, DJI makes some great mini drones since the Mini 2, 3 and now 4.
I have a mini 2 and it does almost all the things my Mavic pro did for half the cost.
Plus you don't need registration.

Are you peering in windows?

 

[4Waters]

Yes, DJI makes some great mini drones since the Mini 2, 3 and now 4.
I have a mini 2 and it does almost all the things my Mavic pro did for half the cost.
Plus you don't need registration.

Once I find a couple muscle cars I'm coming after you and your smoker Mr. "stop on by"

 

[Gramps]

download the Drone Scanner app ...if the drones have RID you should be able to get the info you want and follow them