DUBLIN — In an effort to prevent drones from dropping drugs and weapons from the sky into or near Santa Rita Jail, Dublin has banned the devices within half a mile of government facilities.
Authorities haven’t caught anyone trying to drop contraband into the jail yet, but it’s a known problem at other jails and prisons in the state, Alameda County Sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Ray Kelly said Friday.
He added that authorities have encountered several people flying drones over Santa Rita — which is a no-fly zone — though they’re probably mostly “hobbyists” trying to take a look at the facility.
“Our biggest concern would be some kind of weapon being dropped in the facility, second to that someone dropping drugs in or cellphones,” Kelly said.
The new ordinance, passed unanimously by the Dublin City Council on Aug. 21, also prohibits people from flying drones — or aircrafts without a pilot on board — within a half-mile of city events and clarifies an existing law banning drones from city parks.
Concern over the possibility of drones dropping off drugs at Santa Rita Jail was brought to the city’s attention by Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty, said City Manager Chris Foss at the Aug. 21 meeting.
Drones typically are subject to regulation by the Federal Aviation Administration, according to a city staff report. But since most drones fly below navigable airspace — generally about 400 feet — the burden of regulating them falls on cities, the report says. Anything above that would be the FAA’s jurisdiction.
Dublin’s ordinance doesn’t apply to government agencies who may fly drones over the sites for safety or surveying reasons.
Dublin police would be in charge of enforcing the new law, the report says. Violations would be considered infractions. According to Dublin’s municipal code, a first-time infraction would draw a fine of $100 at the most; a second one would cost a maximum of $200; and each infraction after that within a year would cost $500.
The sheriff’s department is looking into using software to create a “geo-fence” that would ground drones as soon as they fly into the jail’s airspace, Kelly said.