Two arrested after dangerous drone flight near Logan International

Boston police acted swiftly this weekend to stop a dangerous drone operation perilously close to Logan International Airport. Officers arrested two men, Robert Duffy, 42, of Charlestown, and Jeremy Folcik, 32, of Bridgewater, after a tense chase on Long Island, part of the Boston Harbor Islands.

The drama unfolded at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday when a police officer using cutting-edge drone detection technology spotted a rogue drone nearing Logan’s restricted airspace. The drone’s presence, with its potential to disrupt flights or cause collisions, prompted an immediate response from the Boston Police Department, Homeland Security, and Logan Airport’s air traffic controllers.

Authorities tracked the drone’s operators to the decommissioned Long Island Health Campus, where three individuals were found. As officers approached, one suspect fled by boat, while Duffy and Folcik were apprehended after attempting to escape on foot. Police found a drone in Duffy’s backpack, sealing the case against them.

Both men now face charges of trespassing, with the possibility of additional penalties as the investigation continues. The incident highlights growing concerns about drone safety near airports. Boston police have urged hobbyist drone operators to follow Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidelines and avoid restricted areas like airports and densely populated zones. The consequences of ignoring these rules can be severe, as Saturday’s arrests demonstrate.

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This incident comes as drones spark curiosity — and alarm — elsewhere. Many citizens in New Jersey appear to be mistakenly identifying flying objects as drones when they are actually manned airplanes. Residents are also mistaking flashing lights from legal drone operations for potential threats. In reality, many drone operators are abiding by FAA regulations, especially those using lights to signal their presence for safety reasons.

While public fear of drones remains high, it’s crucial to understand that numerous drone operations are entirely legal. For instance, hobbyists and commercial operators alike often use flashing lights to comply with FAA guidelines, ensuring the aircraft are visible and easily distinguishable from traditional planes. These operations are part of the evolving landscape of drone usage, which, while subject to strict rules, plays an integral role in fields ranging from critical infrastructure inspections to public safety.

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