Agencies respond to reports of possible drone activity over Mass.


Numerous local, state and federal agencies confirmed they are investigating recent reports of possible drone sightings over Massachusetts, part of a widespread wave of such reports across the Northeast. “I’m aware of a growing number of drone sightings across Massachusetts and we’re monitoring the situation closely,” Gov. Maura Healey wrote on social media Saturday. “Drone operators should adhere to all applicable laws, regulations, and appropriate operating procedures, ensuring the safe and responsible use of drones.”In Harwich, for example, the police department said an off-duty officer noticed drone activity Thursday night near the Public Safety Complex on Sisson Road and one resident reported 10-15 drones overhead for about an hour starting at approximately 9 p.m.”These drones are similar to the ones reported over the last couple of weeks over New Jersey, New York and most recently over Connecticut,” Chief Kevin Considine of the Harwich Police Department wrote in a statement. Massachusetts State Police also issued a statement, saying their agency was aware of additional drone reports from the area of Natick. The Natick Police Department confirmed it was also aware of those reports and said it was also working with the FBI and the Department of the Army Police. Additionally, NewsCenter 5 has received unconfirmed reports from viewers in numerous communities, including Brookline, Framingham, Stoneham and Weston.While the Federal Aviation Administration declined an interview on Saturday, a spokesperson for the agency said it continues to monitor reported sightings across the Northeast. “Generally speaking, it is legal to fly a drone in most locations if you’re operating under 400 feet, but there are rules — including safety tests, keeping 400 feet, keeping the drone in sight, avoiding all other aircraft, not causing a hazard to any people or property, and avoiding restricted airspace,” the FAA’s statement said. In a statement issued Thursday by the FBI and Department of Homeland Security, those agencies said that “many” of the recent sightings that made headlines in New Jersey were likely manned aircraft. “There are no reported or confirmed drone sightings in any restricted air space,” that statement said. Drone sightings can be reported to the FAA at 844-359-6982.

Numerous local, state and federal agencies confirmed they are investigating recent reports of possible drone sightings over Massachusetts, part of a widespread wave of such reports across the Northeast.

“I’m aware of a growing number of drone sightings across Massachusetts and we’re monitoring the situation closely,” Gov. Maura Healey wrote on social media Saturday. “Drone operators should adhere to all applicable laws, regulations, and appropriate operating procedures, ensuring the safe and responsible use of drones.”

In Harwich, for example, the police department said an off-duty officer noticed drone activity Thursday night near the Public Safety Complex on Sisson Road and one resident reported 10-15 drones overhead for about an hour starting at approximately 9 p.m.

“These drones are similar to the ones reported over the last couple of weeks over New Jersey, New York and most recently over Connecticut,” Chief Kevin Considine of the Harwich Police Department wrote in a statement.

Massachusetts State Police also issued a statement, saying their agency was aware of additional drone reports from the area of Natick.

The Natick Police Department confirmed it was also aware of those reports and said it was also working with the FBI and the Department of the Army Police.

Additionally, NewsCenter 5 has received unconfirmed reports from viewers in numerous communities, including Brookline, Framingham, Stoneham and Weston.

While the Federal Aviation Administration declined an interview on Saturday, a spokesperson for the agency said it continues to monitor reported sightings across the Northeast.

“Generally speaking, it is legal to fly a drone in most locations if you’re operating under 400 feet, but there are rules — including safety tests, keeping 400 feet, keeping the drone in sight, avoiding all other aircraft, not causing a hazard to any people or property, and avoiding restricted airspace,” the FAA’s statement said.

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In a statement issued Thursday by the FBI and Department of Homeland Security, those agencies said that “many” of the recent sightings that made headlines in New Jersey were likely manned aircraft.

“There are no reported or confirmed drone sightings in any restricted air space,” that statement said.

Drone sightings can be reported to the FAA at 844-359-6982.





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