So, I’m in Madison County, IN, and having this mess with neighbors who think I’m flying a drone. They’ve been chasing it around and even trespassed onto my land with a gun looking for me. My wife warned me their behavior won’t end well for me. Police got involved but it seems like it’s not helping much.
The police just came by again, and one officer straight up told me it’s fine to shoot drones down if they’re under the tree line, and the county wouldn’t care. He said it so confidently, but everything I’ve seen online says it’s a federal offense to shoot down drones. Didn’t think to ask what kind of weapon he meant, but I assume skeet shotguns, cause bullets would go flying.
EDIT - This isn’t rage bait. I’m sharing this because I didn’t film them and now regret it. Always film the police. The officer was also saying my legal property lines were wrong, and it’s actually some old rusted fence that’s falling over. So he’s apparently a cop, a lawyer, and a property expert all at once.
EDIT 2 - Caught them on camera last night parked at my property’s edge with their headlights beaming into my field. I’ve decided to sell my place and leave. I emailed the county commissioners explaining everything. I’m 31 with no kids. Not dealing with this anymore. I’m out.
Olen said:
Next time, record them or ask if they’ll put it in writing. Cops are basically saying it’s okay to break federal law.
They had body cams on, but I don’t know if they were recording. One officer did mention recording me before, so maybe? Anyway, I’ll be recording every interaction from now on.
Olen said:
Next time, record them or ask if they’ll put it in writing. Cops are basically saying it’s okay to break federal law.
They had body cams on, but I don’t know if they were recording. One officer did mention recording me before, so maybe? Anyway, I’ll be recording every interaction from now on.
You should file a FOIA request to get the body cam footage. It’s easy and cheap. I’ve done it for situations where cops lied about drone laws. If you need help figuring out what to request, I can guide you.
Merlin said:
So, I’m in Madison County, IN, and having this mess with neighbors who think I’m flying a drone. They’ve been chasing it around and even trespassed onto my land with a gun looking for me. My wife warned me their behavior won’t end well for me. Police got involved but it seems like it’s not helping much.
The police just came by again, and one officer straight up told me it’s fine to shoot drones down if they’re under the tree line, and the county wouldn’t care. He said it so confidently, but everything I’ve seen online says it’s a federal offense to shoot down drones. Didn’t think to ask what kind of weapon he meant, but I assume skeet shotguns, cause bullets would go flying.
EDIT - This isn’t rage bait. I’m sharing this because I didn’t film them and now regret it. Always film the police. The officer was also saying my legal property lines were wrong, and it’s actually some old rusted fence that’s falling over. So he’s apparently a cop, a lawyer, and a property expert all at once.
EDIT 2 - Caught them on camera last night parked at my property’s edge with their headlights beaming into my field. I’ve decided to sell my place and leave. I emailed the county commissioners explaining everything. I’m 31 with no kids. Not dealing with this anymore. I’m out.
Legally, no, you can’t shoot them. But don’t expect much help from federal agencies.
Amari said: Merlin said: Olen said:
Next time, record them or ask if they’ll put it in writing. Cops are basically saying it’s okay to break federal law.
They had body cams on, but I don’t know if they were recording. One officer did mention recording me before, so maybe? Anyway, I’ll be recording every interaction from now on.
You should file a FOIA request to get the body cam footage. It’s easy and cheap. I’ve done it for situations where cops lied about drone laws. If you need help figuring out what to request, I can guide you.
It might cost you $15-$30 depending on the county, but it’s worth it.
Noe said: Amari said: Merlin said: Olen said:
Next time, record them or ask if they’ll put it in writing. Cops are basically saying it’s okay to break federal law.
They had body cams on, but I don’t know if they were recording. One officer did mention recording me before, so maybe? Anyway, I’ll be recording every interaction from now on.
You should file a FOIA request to get the body cam footage. It’s easy and cheap. I’ve done it for situations where cops lied about drone laws. If you need help figuring out what to request, I can guide you.
It might cost you $15-$30 depending on the county, but it’s worth it.
There’s usually no charge for electronic copies.
You’re paying for the time and effort they put into gathering it.
They had body cams on, but I don’t know if they were recording. One officer did mention recording me before, so maybe? Anyway, I’ll be recording every interaction from now on.
You should file a FOIA request to get the body cam footage. It’s easy and cheap. I’ve done it for situations where cops lied about drone laws. If you need help figuring out what to request, I can guide you.
It might cost you $15-$30 depending on the county, but it’s worth it.
There’s usually no charge for electronic copies.
You’re paying for the time and effort they put into gathering it.
Actually, in places like California, they can’t charge for that. They can charge for physical items like USB drives but not for their time.
They had body cams on, but I don’t know if they were recording. One officer did mention recording me before, so maybe? Anyway, I’ll be recording every interaction from now on.
You should file a FOIA request to get the body cam footage. It’s easy and cheap. I’ve done it for situations where cops lied about drone laws. If you need help figuring out what to request, I can guide you.
It might cost you $15-$30 depending on the county, but it’s worth it.
There’s usually no charge for electronic copies.
You’re paying for the time and effort they put into gathering it.
Actually, in places like California, they can’t charge for that. They can charge for physical items like USB drives but not for their time.
They can charge for redacting sensitive info though. I’ve processed FOIA requests and some costs are justified, especially for video redactions.
Noe said: Amari said: Merlin said: Olen said:
Next time, record them or ask if they’ll put it in writing. Cops are basically saying it’s okay to break federal law.
They had body cams on, but I don’t know if they were recording. One officer did mention recording me before, so maybe? Anyway, I’ll be recording every interaction from now on.
You should file a FOIA request to get the body cam footage. It’s easy and cheap. I’ve done it for situations where cops lied about drone laws. If you need help figuring out what to request, I can guide you.
It might cost you $15-$30 depending on the county, but it’s worth it.
There’s usually no charge for electronic copies.
I got charged $30 for body cam footage once, so it does happen.
They had body cams on, but I don’t know if they were recording. One officer did mention recording me before, so maybe? Anyway, I’ll be recording every interaction from now on.
You should file a FOIA request to get the body cam footage. It’s easy and cheap. I’ve done it for situations where cops lied about drone laws. If you need help figuring out what to request, I can guide you.
It might cost you $15-$30 depending on the county, but it’s worth it.
There’s usually no charge for electronic copies.
I got charged $30 for body cam footage once, so it does happen.
That’s not legal in some states unless it’s for physical costs. You could challenge that.
They had body cams on, but I don’t know if they were recording. One officer did mention recording me before, so maybe? Anyway, I’ll be recording every interaction from now on.
You should file a FOIA request to get the body cam footage. It’s easy and cheap. I’ve done it for situations where cops lied about drone laws. If you need help figuring out what to request, I can guide you.
It might cost you $15-$30 depending on the county, but it’s worth it.
There’s usually no charge for electronic copies.
I got charged $30 for body cam footage once, so it does happen.
That’s not legal in some states unless it’s for physical costs. You could challenge that.
Seems like different counties handle it differently. Always good to double-check the rules.
Merlin said: Olen said:
Next time, record them or ask if they’ll put it in writing. Cops are basically saying it’s okay to break federal law.
They had body cams on, but I don’t know if they were recording. One officer did mention recording me before, so maybe? Anyway, I’ll be recording every interaction from now on.
You should file a FOIA request to get the body cam footage. It’s easy and cheap. I’ve done it for situations where cops lied about drone laws. If you need help figuring out what to request, I can guide you.
Remember, FOIA is for federal stuff. For local cops, you usually need to request through state or county laws. They may deny body cam access without a court order.
Merlin said: Olen said:
Next time, record them or ask if they’ll put it in writing. Cops are basically saying it’s okay to break federal law.
They had body cams on, but I don’t know if they were recording. One officer did mention recording me before, so maybe? Anyway, I’ll be recording every interaction from now on.
You should file a FOIA request to get the body cam footage. It’s easy and cheap. I’ve done it for situations where cops lied about drone laws. If you need help figuring out what to request, I can guide you.
This forum’s advice might get you into more trouble. Be careful.
Amari said: Merlin said: Olen said:
Next time, record them or ask if they’ll put it in writing. Cops are basically saying it’s okay to break federal law.
They had body cams on, but I don’t know if they were recording. One officer did mention recording me before, so maybe? Anyway, I’ll be recording every interaction from now on.
You should file a FOIA request to get the body cam footage. It’s easy and cheap. I’ve done it for situations where cops lied about drone laws. If you need help figuring out what to request, I can guide you.
This forum’s advice might get you into more trouble. Be careful.
Yep, small-town cops and neighbors with grudges are a bad combo.
Olen said:
Next time, record them or ask if they’ll put it in writing. Cops are basically saying it’s okay to break federal law.
They had body cams on, but I don’t know if they were recording. One officer did mention recording me before, so maybe? Anyway, I’ll be recording every interaction from now on.
Merlin said: Olen said:
Next time, record them or ask if they’ll put it in writing. Cops are basically saying it’s okay to break federal law.
They had body cams on, but I don’t know if they were recording. One officer did mention recording me before, so maybe? Anyway, I’ll be recording every interaction from now on.
[deleted]
Actually, a drone has to be over 249 grams and registered to be considered an aircraft. Your neighbor’s toy drone probably isn’t even covered by that.
Olen said:
Next time, record them or ask if they’ll put it in writing. Cops are basically saying it’s okay to break federal law.
They had body cams on, but I don’t know if they were recording. One officer did mention recording me before, so maybe? Anyway, I’ll be recording every interaction from now on.
Always record your interactions. You can request body cam footage to back up your case.
Merlin said: Olen said:
Next time, record them or ask if they’ll put it in writing. Cops are basically saying it’s okay to break federal law.
They had body cams on, but I don’t know if they were recording. One officer did mention recording me before, so maybe? Anyway, I’ll be recording every interaction from now on.
Always record your interactions. You can request body cam footage to back up your case.
I hope the person who posted this does that. People need to know how to access their public records.
Merlin said: Olen said:
Next time, record them or ask if they’ll put it in writing. Cops are basically saying it’s okay to break federal law.
They had body cams on, but I don’t know if they were recording. One officer did mention recording me before, so maybe? Anyway, I’ll be recording every interaction from now on.
Always record your interactions. You can request body cam footage to back up your case.
Cops are allowed to lie and give bad legal advice. It’s on you if you follow it.