Mystery drones over US prompt calls for answers from government, new legislation
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (FOX 2) - Calls for stronger regulations, more law enforcement power, and answers from the government - mysterious drone sightings are prompting requests from lawmakers and police, but not everyone is on the same page about how to handle them.
The federal government has said that recent drone sightings in parts of the United States are not a threat, but some aren't so sure about that and are pushing the government to do more.
"The ambiguous answers that we are all getting in all of our areas is not satisfactory," Congresswoman Debbie Dingell said. "We need vigorous regulations to keep us safe."
Fears about drones
Though many drones are not being used for nefarious purposes, some are, and that concerns both lawmakers and law enforcement.
Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard noted how drones can be dangerous near airports and power infrastructure, especially if they have been weaponized.
"Is it a threat? Is it a lost hobbyist that doesn't understand the rules? Is it a foreign adversary? Has it been weaponized?" he said. "None of them have answered other than saying, ‘We don’t think it's a problem, nothing to see here.'"
Bouchard talked about how drones can pose dangers at events, adding that drones above the Woodward Dream Cruise were being flown higher than allowed - something that puts aircraft like sheriff's office helicopters in danger.
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During the performance of Longview, a man could be seen running onto the stage briefly, leading the band to stop playing and scatter off-stage.
He also referenced how drones have been used to drop contraband into prisons.
According to Bouchard, if his office gets a call about a drone that may be up to no good, a deputy will be sent out to evaluate the situation. Often, they can determine if they are drones and follow them, but they don't have the authority to act if the drone is being used criminally.
"All we can do then is watch," he said.
He went on to question why the government hasn't acted to determine the threat or lack of threat the drones pose.
"Why wouldn't they have sent advanced detection equipment out sooner rather than later?" Bouchard said.
Dingell said he hopes that if the recent drone sightings did pose a threat, the government would be forthcoming. However, she feels more answers are needed.
Using legislation to tackle drones
Dingell backs proposed legislation that would allow law enforcement agencies across the country to track and interact with drones that are breaking the law.
"I think we need more answers. They need to be more regulated, and we need to empower local law enforcement to know what those drones are, whether we are safe and to be able to regulate them more," she said.
Bouchard echoes the need for more law enforcement intervention when it comes to drones, saying that his office wants access to technology that would allow drones to be jammed if they are used criminally.
"Congress has to give the FAA the ability to give us the ability to have interdiction capability. That's all that's standing in the way," he said. "Years ago, I wanted this technology, and I had a purchase order to buy it, and the federal government intervened and pushed back on it. Not only do they not give us the authority, they actively prevent us from being able to protect our community."
Sen. Gary Peters, the lawmaker behind the legislation, said the changes that allow law enforcement to engage drones are important to safety, noting how the suspect who tried to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump over the summer used a drone to surveil the area around the rally before the attack.
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Elected officials are urging action to identify and stop mysterious drones reported over New Jersey, New York and other eastern parts of the country in recent weeks.
Opposition to legislation
While some lawmakers are pushing for more to be done to address drones by giving more power to law enforcement, others say it's unnecessary surveillance.
Sen. Rand Paul, who blocked the drone legislation, said that while he doesn't deny that drones pose dangers, he believes President Joe Biden's administration needs to be open about what is happening.
He said that the proposed bill is to address threats when government officials, Homeland Security, and the FBI are saying there are no threats.
"Why don't we try to get to the truth of the matter and what exactly exists and what the threat is before we propose legislation?" Paul said. "Tell us what the problem is. Tell us the extent of the problem."
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Paul also expressed concerns that the legislation could impact innocent people by targeting their communications.
"History has shown us time and time again how fear and manufactured urgency are used as pretext to expand government power at the expense of freedom," Paul said.
He was adamant about properly discussing and debating the bill before enacting it.
"This body must not rush to grant sweeping surveillance powers without consideration and debate by the committees of jurisdiction," he said.
The Source: This story contains information from interviews with Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard and Rep. Debbie Dingell, along with comments made by Sen. Rand Paul and Sen. Gary Peters on the Senate floor while discussing drone legislation.