Prince George RCMP is investigating a report of a “low-flying drone” in a residential backyard, which has been presumably spying on young children..The investigation began in early March when police were told of a drone repeatedly lingering in a residential backyard on the 1400-block of Nation Crescent..Witnesses told Mounties that on “numerous” occasions the drone would fly over the backyard when young children were playing outside and immediately flew away when adults came into view. On one occasion, the drone hovered outside the bedroom window of a young child..“This invasion of privacy is very concerning as whomever was operating the drone was doing so in a residential neighbourhood where young children were targeted,” said Cpl. Jennifer Cooper, Prince George RCMP..“We are encouraging anyone who has experienced a similar situation, where a drone has been flown near their residence with the purpose of observing them, to call the non-emergency line.”.The line is 250-561-3300..Drone operators must carry a valid drone pilot certificate and only fly marked and registered drones according to Transport Canada..However, drones weighing less than 250 grams do not need to be registered and operators do not need to be certified..Technologically competent drone pilots can prowl anonymously, as their identity — contingent upon the appropriate steps — is effectively detached from the device if it is captured..Reid Small is a BC-based reporter for the Western Standard.,rsmall@westernstandardonline.com,.Twitter.com/reidsmall
Prince George RCMP is investigating a report of a “low-flying drone” in a residential backyard, which has been presumably spying on young children..The investigation began in early March when police were told of a drone repeatedly lingering in a residential backyard on the 1400-block of Nation Crescent..Witnesses told Mounties that on “numerous” occasions the drone would fly over the backyard when young children were playing outside and immediately flew away when adults came into view. On one occasion, the drone hovered outside the bedroom window of a young child..“This invasion of privacy is very concerning as whomever was operating the drone was doing so in a residential neighbourhood where young children were targeted,” said Cpl. Jennifer Cooper, Prince George RCMP..“We are encouraging anyone who has experienced a similar situation, where a drone has been flown near their residence with the purpose of observing them, to call the non-emergency line.”.The line is 250-561-3300..Drone operators must carry a valid drone pilot certificate and only fly marked and registered drones according to Transport Canada..However, drones weighing less than 250 grams do not need to be registered and operators do not need to be certified..Technologically competent drone pilots can prowl anonymously, as their identity — contingent upon the appropriate steps — is effectively detached from the device if it is captured..Reid Small is a BC-based reporter for the Western Standard.,rsmall@westernstandardonline.com,.Twitter.com/reidsmall
