THUNDER BAY — A local man set up, ignited, and launched a firework directly at a police-operated drone, according to city police.
In a news release, police said that the drone was being used during an active investigation in the search for a missing person on Sunday.
Police said officers were approached by an individual who expressed concern about the drone.
They allege the man then shot a firework at the drone.
The drone pilot was able to take evasive action, said police, successfully avoiding damage and preventing a potentially dangerous crash over a residential area.
A 54-year-old man was identified by police and arrested.
He has been charged with obstructing police and with damage to aircraft.
Police have did not release the man's name.
Drones are legally classified as aircraft, said police in the news release, and interfering with a police drone during an operational deployment poses a risk to public safety and undermines law enforcement efforts.
"While some residents may feel uncomfortable with drones operating near their homes, there are no legal restrictions preventing drones from flying over private property. When conducting exigent operational missions, such as missing person or suspect searches, drones may traverse residential areas," stated police
Officers take every reasonable effort to respect personal privacy when using drones and observing areas from a distance rather than directly beneath them, said the release.
They also stated, "There is no circumstance in which attempting to interfere with a police drone is acceptable."
Recently, eight additional officers were trained in their official capacities to use drones, bringing the Service's registered drone pilots to 20 officers.
