Residents, police raise concerns about recurring drone sightings: 'We need someone to stop this'
WEST BRANDYWINE, Pa. (WPVI) -- Residents in a Chester County neighborhood say recurring drone activity over their homes has left them concerned about privacy and searching for answers.
West Brandywine police say an investigation is still underway into the aircraft's nighttime flights.
One resident, who requested to remain anonymous, said she has encountered the drone multiple times.
"The first one came in December. I was hoping it was random, and then I started seeing them more and more often. We found out some other neighbors also had seen them flying over their bedroom and bathroom windows, specifically like the skylights," the woman said.
Neighbors say they have spent months wondering who is operating the aircraft.
The resident said the drone frequently appears near her home late at night: "Between 10 and 11 p.m., they're always over my bedroom and bathroom window, just hovering."
West Brandywine police said the aircraft have repeatedly appeared over homes and skylights in the Wallace area of the township, including as recently as Monday.
Police said officers have witnessed the activity themselves, notified the Federal Aviation Administration and are treating the matter as a possible invasion-of-privacy investigation.
The resident described the activity as intrusive.
"So many people defend the rights of drone flyers, which is crazy. If there was someone with a 20-foot ladder up to your windows looking in, would you be defending them? It's a peeping Tom; that's 100 percent what it is."
An aviation expert not involved in the case said flying a drone over a neighborhood is not automatically illegal and noted that federal regulators, not local authorities, control most airspace regulations.
Bradford Ryll said potential surveillance activity could raise legal concerns.
"It is possible that if there is some kind of surveillance activity happening, that might be a violation of Pennsylvania law," Ryll said.
Police said the drone's operator has not contacted the department. That could be because they are not required to. However, Ryll said if investigators can prove images are being captured inside private homes, the situation could become actionable if the pilot is identified.
In a statement, police said in part, "The use of a drone to invade someone's personal privacy will not be tolerated, and the maximum allowable penalties will be pursued."
Concern remains among some residents as the investigation continues.
"With four kids, the concern is there and very real as to why this person is hovering over our neighborhood," said Shannon Kaschak, who, like her neighbors, has many unanswered questions.
The anonymous resident said she has installed cameras, an alarm system, drapes and blinds, and covered skylights to help protect her privacy.
"We need someone to stop this; it's gotta stop."
Police continue to ask residents to report any sightings. Action News also contacted the FAA and is awaiting a response.
Jeff Kimes, the Chief of Police/Twp. Fire Marshal with the West Brandywine Police Dept. issued a statement, saying:
"The West Brandywine Police Department continues to work this case diligently to get answers to this matter. As we realize drone operation and air space is not the primary responsibility of a local PD, these residents deserve to feel safe and secure in their own homes. The local police are the front-line defense and most accessible for assistance when this occurs late at night, then trying to access federal agencies for immediate assistance. We would hope that any legitimate matter that could be occurring, especially at 11pm hovering over private homes, the drone operator would do the right thing and contact us (required or not) and place everyone at ease. Since this has been occurring for months, we can only speculate the reason but if any violation of privacy laws, harassment, stalking or intimidation is substantified, we will prosecute to the allowable extent of the law. We have contacted the FAA and FBI for ongoing assistance."
