courtesy of Jacek Halicki/Wikimedia Commons
Governor Jeff Landry signed a bill into law that authorizes state and local law enforcement to actively intercept and disable drones that pose credible threats to public safety. GOHSEP Executive Officer of Security and Interoperability Thomas Mule says this is a public safety and homeland security issue.
“This bill will make Louisiana the first state in the country to allow our state and local law enforcement agencies to protect our citizens against the increasing threat posed by nefarious drones,” Mule said.
The law empowers specifically trained officers to deploy both kinetic and non-kinetic technology to neutralize drones operating unlawfully near high-risk areas such as schools, public events, and critical infrastructure.
The legislation comes amid rising national concern over unauthorized drone activity near sensitive locations. Mule says there are more than 2,000 critical infrastructure facilities in the state, including two nuclear power plants.
“Governor, you and the legislature understand how vital it is to empower our local law enforcement agencies to protect those facilities,” Mule said.
Governor Jeff Landry says recently law enforcement arrested several people for using drones to drop drugs and cell phones into a federal prison in Grant Parish.
“It is absolutely a problem in this state, and we’re one of the first states to actually be taking some action against it,” Landry said.
Penalties for violators include fines of up to $5,000, up to one year in jail, and mandatory forfeiture of the drone used in the offense.
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