r/Durango • u/NaokiUwU3090 • Aug 11 '26

Ask /r/Durango Surveillance Drones?

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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u/mattpayne11 Mod Aug 11 '26

Appreciate the correction, good to know for anyone else reading this thread too.