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kifn2 t1_iynus8w wrote

The cops are probably too lazy to look up the law regarding recreational drones.

Pennsylvania law Title 18, section 3205 // 2018 makes it illegal to operate a drone to conduct surveillance on a private place.

The drone also must be registered with the faa and the registration number must be visible.

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Horror_Hoe t1_iynx7f8 wrote

I know! I had looked up the law before calling to make sure it's actually illegal and the cops just didn't care which is disgusting

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AllThree3 t1_iyo2l60 wrote

The FAA has a field office in Philadelphia. Give them a call.

It's illegal to use drones to spy on people. It's also illegal to be flying over an active roadway with motorists who are not aware a drone is operating overhead.

If he has a registered drone, it will be easy enough for the FAA to determine who it was. Seriously, look up their field office and make a report. They will not fuck around and this guy is looking at serious fines if caught.

If you want more details, shoot me a PM.

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Horror_Hoe t1_iyo3zwf wrote

I found out the owner of the car and it's a woman, but I'll get in contact with the FAA to report the drone. Thank you!

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MuckRaker83 t1_iyo5pqi wrote

First time dealing with the police?

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Horror_Hoe t1_iyo685v wrote

Yeah honestly it was which is why I didn't wanna argue with them, but I just contacted the FAA

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dalex89 t1_iynvo13 wrote

Don't know if you're referring to drones in PA have to FAA registered, but only drones over 0.55 lbs or used for commercial activities have to be registered with the FAA in most places. This would make the popular DJI Mini and Mini 2 exempt from registration.

If the guy really is using it to peek into windows, that's gross, but I'm also wondering if there is a logical explanation to this, one could have just asked him, people do tend to hate drones.

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Horror_Hoe t1_iynx4ka wrote

It was basically on the side walk facing directly into the apartments with the blinds open and the guy was on the corner and as soon as he saw us on the phone he got his drone, got in his car, and sped away. I think drones are amazing with everything you can do with them, but he was using his to be creepy

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kifn2 t1_iynz26q wrote

NON-commercial drones over .55 pounds must be registered. I assumed it was over the weight limit, but in either case, what he’s doing is clearly illegal.

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No-Setting9690 t1_iyo27v6 wrote

Using it in a public space to monitor a private space, probably creates a gray area. If he recorded nothing, and there is no proof he did anything, I could see them error on the side of caution.
Calling the police and reporting it, is the correct thing to do. It is at least now documented, and if a crime is committed and that matches the description, I would hope he would be a prime suspect.
I think most laws are so vague/gray that cops just don't know what to do.

Kudos to OP for letting all of us know about his perv.

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kifn2 t1_iyo8zef wrote

I don't know how you could see grey in that law. It doesn't have any exception for filming from a public space. The cops should have investigated and shut him down, but one can't expect cops to act in people's best interest. I don't blame anyone for calling them, but often cops will escalate a nonviolent situation into a violent one, so there is always a danger when they arrive.

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No-Setting9690 t1_iyoevp4 wrote

Because law is usually gray. If it wasn't, we wouldn't have a need for lawyers.
I usually play devils advocate so I can see all points of a discussion.
I do agree with you.

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Asleep-Arm5840 t1_iyo0g2e wrote

Shoot down the fucking drone, fuck that guy and fuck the cops too

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AllThree3 t1_iyo35ea wrote

>Shoot down the fucking drone, fuck that guy and fuck the cops too

Discharge a firearm in a residential area while trying to hit a moving target that's flying around in the air, and if you miss (hint: you'll miss), then the bullet is going to fly off into the distance, and you have no idea where it's going to land?

Yeah, that's definitely the logical approach.

/s

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Asleep-Arm5840 t1_iyo40up wrote

Never said to discharge a firearm.

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AllThree3 t1_iyo63ox wrote

>>shoot down

>>I never said to discharge a firearm

So what type of James Bond-esque gadgets are you carrying around that you're planning to "shoot" at the drone?

Might want to Google your idea first. Even if the drone pilot is breaking the law, you're also breaking the law by shooting down the drone. It's illegal to shoot down a drone, even over private property, basically everywhere.

The best thing to do is figure out who the pilot is, record time, location, etc. data, and report it to the FAA.

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randompittuser t1_iyo5phg wrote

Loosely hang some empty plastic bags outside your window. Drone sucks it in and crashes.

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Baguette_Theory t1_iyo5wy1 wrote

I can assure you he cannot see anything through a window from that drone from that distance. Most likely shooting for commercial reasons

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Horror_Hoe t1_iyo64f6 wrote

The drone was only a couple feet from the windows. He could definitely see inside

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axeville t1_iyo6tbc wrote

Was about to ask how you knew...

But also oops that fishing line gets everywhere

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