The News Editorial: Public asked to notify OHS on drone activity

Monday morning I received an email from Washakie County Emergency Management/Homeland Security Director Kami Neighbors that the Wyoming Office of Homeland Security is asking the community to report suspicious drone activity (drones flying in a sensitive location, at unusual hours, doing unusual things, or near important locations such as pipelines, power plants, water treatment facilities, etc). 

The state OHS office has set up a website, drone.wyo.gov, for a “resource hub as well as a date collection hub. “The website includes resources to help citizens identify what they might be seeing in the night sky including different type of drones, Starlink and more.

Ashley Paulsrud of OHS said, “We have been receiving many reports of possible drone sightings in the state. This site is a source for drone information and our attempt to collect this information in one location as well as deconflict planned flights to assist local law enforcement.”

Per the website, “If you witness a drone (or what you think is a drone) flying in a sensitive location, at unusual hours, doing unusual things, or near important locations (e.g. pipeline, power plant, water treatment facility, etc.), please let us know.  

“Most ‘civilian’ drones are typically under 4 feet across and less than 44 pounds with the majority of ‘hobbyist’ drones smaller, about 1 foot or so across.”

There is also a place on the website to report sighting, to ask questions and to try and track planned drone flights. Under the “Pre-Flight Notification” portion of the website it states, “In an effort to best understand observed unidentified aerial phenomenon and assist local law enforcement with deconfliction of planned vs unknown flights in our region.  Please use this form to submit details of planned flights.”

Drone sightings and concerns went viral at the end of 2024 with many sightings in New Jersey with little to no explanation. Earlier this year, according to news reports a firefighting aircraft was damaged after a collision with a drone on the Los Angeles Palisades Fire.

Wyoming, in all wildland fires, issues notices about no fly zones for drones issuing warnings that if you are flying your drone, firefighting aircraft cannot fly.

The website should help eliminate these types of conflict, provided amateur and hobbyist drone pilots abide by the rules and procedures and are properly licensed.

I remember several years ago, before all the conspiracy theories around drones, I had my own run-in with a drone, assuming it was being flown by a nearby neighbor as the light from the drone was shining in the windows of my home late at night.

I mentioned it about a week or so later to then Sheriff Steve Rakness who told me I should have reported it immediately. I never had any other problems, but it shows that not every drone pilot is responsible or ethical and some may be up to no good.

This website and initiative is a good step in trying to keep up with technology.

So if you see anything suspicious report it and for more information check out the state’s website.

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Earlier this month the Northern Wyoming News had a great weekend, earning second place in two major categories — Typographical Excellence and Editorial Excellence; and four staff members won individual awards at the Wyoming Press Association convention. I want to take a moment to congratulate our staff on their success over the past year and thank you our readers and our advertisers for helping with this success.

The work we do is for you and for our community and we appreciate the support each and every week.

For a full list of awards see the story in last week’s issue or our ad this week on A12.

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Now for a quick update on some of the bills in the Wyoming Legislature that I have questioned in this spot.

House Bill 19 on parental consent for social media is still awaiting introduction in the House.

HB46 regarding home-school curriculum not required to have approval of the local school districts passed the House and is awaiting action in the Senate.

HB 57 that would require counties and municipalities to allow fireworks on the Fourth of July is still awaiting introduction in the House. HB 106 establishing a “Monument to America” task force is also still awaiting introduction.

Monday is the deadline for House Bills to be introduced.

Senate File 98 that would require school board candidates to declare their political party affiliation passed out of the Senate Education Committee on a 3-2 vote Jan. 22 and has been sitting on General File in the Senate since then.

Senate File 90 regarding youth organizations in school. The bill would require school districts to allow participation of youth patriotic organizations. This bill passed the Senate on Jan. 23 28-3 and is awaiting introduction in the House.

My concern with this bill is the lack of local control for school districts.

For more information visit http://www.wyoleg.gov.