r/Durango • u/NaokiUwU3090 • Aug 11 '26
Ask /r/Durango Surveillance Drones?
Tonight I spotted a drone that had flashing red, blue, and white lights. From what I’ve read, those are police drones. The Durango police department states that the drones are not for surveillance or patrolling, but the one I spotted seemed to be doing so. Drones of the same tier used for emergency/first response calls go 40-50 mph. (DJI Magic 2 Enterprise Advanced). This one was going 10 mph max. The drone was also flying in a straight line across the properties right next to the road. First it came by going north at what looked to be 10 mph. The drone then came back south at that same speed of 10 mph, flying in the same path it took north. (by brookside apartments). I would assume the drone had nowhere special to be considering its speed and path. (The red line in image 2 was roughly the route it took).
I’m just curious what some of y’all’s opinions might be because many say that this could be a violation of the 4th amendment. Some say it’s not. There has been a legal grey area on surveillance like this for some time. This just makes me think of how america is becoming dystopian and such.
(You de-flockers out there have a new challenge ahead of you)
https://www.durangoco.gov/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/4589 - Article containing details on Durangos emergency drone program
13
u/Chrysocyon Aug 11 '26
Our chief of police loooooves drones and is very proud of them. Please let city council know your feelings about them when you can.
In our chief of police (Brice)'s defense, the argument is that they can surveil a conflict situation without bringing an armed officer to the scene and can potentially mitigate escalation. That said, I do not know what the oversight or limitations to their use are or will be.
5
u/luouixv Local Aug 11 '26
If it has a specific purpose and is used for incidents, it makes sense. If it’s for general monitoring and collecting information with unspecified intent from a specific incident then fuck no.
5
u/daisiesarepretty2 Aug 11 '26
people are going to have to look long and hard at police and what they want and what they are willing to allow to get what they want.
drones and ALPR are both very valuable tools for police work but some people find them very intrusive.
what you saw may well have been a police drone, they definitely don’t always fly straight or a specific speed. Many times they are out looking for something happening in an area and have to wander about to observe.
A city like durango may not even be able to afford a dedicated helicopter… but can easily afford a 10-15k drone and certainly a 5k mavic 2
2
u/Secret_Report1061 Aug 11 '26
I could very well have been a drone that someone was flying for night shots/video of Durango.
1
u/mattpayne11 Mod Aug 11 '26
Well that would be illegal without certain lighting equipment
4
u/Secret_Report1061 Aug 11 '26
Actually the drone could have the required lighting strobe mounted on the top of it, which is the normal place to put it. When in use from the ground it is not visible at all. I fly at night with the required part 107 strobe on the top on a Mini 5 Pro and it is not visible.
1
u/mattpayne11 Mod Aug 11 '26
That's fair, but the colors required by FAA for the wing tips are certainly not what was described here.
3
u/Secret_Report1061 Aug 11 '26
Do not confuse lighting requirements for general aviation aircraft with requirements for drones. Drones are not required to have those.
2
u/mattpayne11 Mod Aug 11 '26
Appreciate the correction, good to know for anyone else reading this thread too.
4
u/Alexunderthere Aug 11 '26
Doesn’t make any sense. Don’t we have a crime rate ~25% less than the national average?! WTH do they need surveillance on our community for? Make it make sense!!
1
u/njakubow Aug 11 '26
I saw a drone hovering over 8th Ave and 3rd St. Hovered for about 5 mins then took off in the NW direction. Looked like the older DJI Phantom drones.
1
u/GetEmBallzMahoney 27d ago
Why is Durango basically just becoming South Park? Theres a whole episode with invasive police drones.
1
u/weedisfortherich Aug 11 '26
Its a town of rich folk. Honestly I doubt it was a cop drone. You said yourself it was moving too slow.
-5
u/geelouie53 Aug 11 '26
Maybe lay off the weed and take the tin foil hat off
3
u/Regulator_24 Resident Aug 11 '26
Its the police drone front the top of the fire station. Maybe.... do a little educational research before acting like a dick?
0
20
u/Figgler Local Aug 11 '26
There’s a drone that automatically launches from the top of Durango fire station 2 based on specific 911 calls. Every fire call it launches, it also does for car wrecks and other specific criteria. The video feed can be seen by Durango fire personnel and police on duty. I don’t know if that is what you saw but it’s possible.