ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) – Remember in December when it seemed all the world was buzzing about drones?
The sightings have died down, but authorities are still investigating reports of drone activity in Virginia.
The Virginia Fusion Center, part of Virginia State Police’s Homeland Security Division, received more than 150 tips about drone activity in December.
Of the December cases, 12 were assigned “for further follow-up,” a VSP spokesman told WDBJ7 on Monday, adding that no other information was available.
WDBJ7 reported seeing the apparent drones across southwest the Commonwealth, including flying above Roanoke, Salem, Lynchburg, Danville, Pulaski, Radford, Floyd and Fincastle.
The flurry of drone activity prompted Gov. Glenn Youngkin to issue a statement saying he was “deeply concerned” about the lack of information being shared with state leaders by the federal government.
VSP says drones are required to remain in sight of either the operator or a visual observer and have a maximum allowable altitude of 400 feet unless waived by federal regulators. Operators are required to have a remote pilot certificate for recreational use or a license from the FAA for commercial use.
It is against the law in Virginia to shoot at a drone, VSP said, adding state law does does prohibit flying drones within 50 feet of a residence, unless the person is authorized by the federal government to operate and is doing so lawfully and consistent with federal regulations.
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