Neighbors worried about peeping Tom drone

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Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Homeowners fear drone
Homeowners say a drone was peeping on them in their homes

ANCHORAGE, AK (KTRK) -- Several residents of an Anchorage, Alaska, neighborhood say a drone was hovering outside their homes on Monday, possibly looking inside.



Resident Melissa Bolland told local station KTUU, "My children noticed it first it kind of came down hovered around like above the trampoline over there, went around the house kind of really low hanging to the windows, and then went straight up to the tree and the off again."



After going online, Bolland discovered he wasn't alone in her drone sighting. Photos from other neighbors say the drone was flying from home to home, in some cases flying within a few feet of windows.



One resident said the drone was so close she could have hit it with a broom.



Resident Bry Tollefsen said, "My gut feeling is it's here casing homes and trying to find out who's there or not, but it's definitely not a good feeling."



Police were called, but no report was taken because no drone was in sight.



The Federal Aviation Administration handles all drone activity. The FAA says it's against code to fly a drone over property without permission, to fly no higher than 400 feet above ground and the operator must be within line of sight. Homeowners say none of those rules were being followed, and it's left them feeling like they're not alone in their own home.



Tollefsen said, "The moment you feel like your privacy is taken away in your own home it's not a good feeling."



Residents say even if they don't get answers about who was flying the drone and what they were doing. at least now everyone is more aware of their surroundings.

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