[Vision2020] drone sighting

Tom Hansen thansen at moscow.com
Wed Sep 24 10:35:54 PDT 2014


It's a simple matter of concern for community safety, Mr. Rumelhart.

You reported, here on the Viz, that you witnessed a large, noisy drone flying over Moscow Middle School.  You suggested (jokingly, I thought) that the drone might be "Tom's new toy".

http://mailman.fsr.com/pipermail/vision2020/2014-September/098148.html

Initially assuming that your posting was intended as a joke, I responded (honestly) that my drone is virtually silent and has only flown over Guy Wicks Field.

http://mailman.fsr.com/pipermail/vision2020/2014-September/098149.html

At this point, you could have responded that you were joking in reference to my drone and that there was nothing to be seriously concerned.  Instead, you suggested that it appeared to be some kind of "official drone" and may belong to some "department".  

http://mailman.fsr.com/pipermail/vision2020/2014-September/098157.html

This fired up my curiosity even more, as I was unaware of any "official drone", having read a newspaper article in the Idaho Statesman not long ago stating that the State of Idaho dies not operate (or possess) any drones.  It is my further understanding that neither the Latah County Sheriffs Department nor the Moscow Police Department operate (or possess) any drones.

This information, coupled with your reporting of a large noisy drone flying over the Moscow Middle School . . . after considering options, I decided to include MPD Chief Duke in the conversation.

You are free to hate me all you want.  The potential danger of leaving such a sighting unreported far outweighed your attitude toward me.

Have a nice day, ok?

Seeya 'round town, Moscow, because . . .

"Moscow Cares" (the most fun you can have with your pants on)
http://www.MoscowCares.com
  
Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

"There's room at the top they are telling you still.
But first you must learn how to smile as you kill,
If you want to be like the folks on the hill."

- John Lennon
  

> On Sep 24, 2014, at 10:09 AM, Paul Rumelhart <paul.rumelhart at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Just as a followup, Chief Duke did get back to Tom (and I, because I was cc'd) letting him know one of his lieutenants would take care of it.  I got an email from the police officer he assigned, and I called him during a busy morning at work.  The police officer was polite and I described what I could remember of my drone sighting.  So, I guess, my civic duty was performed, though I didn't care about it in the least.
> 
> And Tom, should you wish to do something like this again, go fuck yourself.  I can call the police myself if I think I need to.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Paul
> 
> 
> 
>> On Sun, Sep 21, 2014 at 3:18 PM, Gary Crabtree <moscowlocksmith at gmail.com> wrote:
>> You just can't know how much better I will sleep tonight knowing that every casual remark made within the purview of Tom Hanson will be scrutinized for potential harms, real (doubtful) and imagined (much more likely) and reported to the authorities.
>> 
>> An upstanding (if aging) member of Orwell's youth league is ever vigilant! Well done comrade, well done.
>> 
>> g.
>> 
>>> On Sun, Sep 21, 2014 at 1:12 PM, Tom Hansen <thansen at moscow.com> wrote:
>>> Chief Duke -
>>> 
>>> Mr. Rumelhart publicly stated that a large noisy drone was seen, by him yesterday, flying over Moscow Junior High School.
>>> 
>>> Mr. Rumelhart suggests that we should simply ignore it.  I don't
>>> 
>>> Suppose the drone had experienced problems and crashed into a moving car . . . or worse.  What then?
>>> 
>>> I believe that an explanation is called for.
>>> 
>>> Mr. Rumelhart may turn his back on this instance.  I assure you, Chief.  I won't!
>>> 
>>> How many more large, noisy drones will fly over public schools here in Moscow before one crashes, causing physical injury, and you, Chief Duke, think to yourself, "Maybe we should have done something about this earlier."
>>> 
>>> On the evening of September 11th, just before the megaload entered Moscow, I met up with a few MPD officers outside city hall and we discussed drones (the "Moscow Cares" drone in particular) and their potential for property and physical injury.   That discussion was a major factor in my decision not to fly the drone over populated grounds.
>>> 
>>> Perhaps the same concern should be applied to the large noisy drone (and the potential for more) Mr. Rumelhart witnessed yesterday.  I am sure that the parents of the students at Moscow Junior High School Would appreciate it.
>>> 
>>> I eagerly await your reply.
>>> 
>>> On the evening of September
>>> 
>>> Seeya 'round town, Moscow, because . . .
>>> 
>>> "Moscow Cares" 
>>> http://www.MoscowCares.com
>>>   
>>> Tom Hansen
>>> Moscow, Idaho
>>>   
>>> 
>>>> On Sep 21, 2014, at 12:47 PM, Paul Rumelhart <paul.rumelhart at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> Answer to Mr. Hansen, I have no idea which local agencies have drones. Somebody does. This wasn't a quad copter, it had a long narrow body, a fin, and a wider section at the front.
>>>> 
>>>> Also, my apologies to Chief Duke for being dragged into this conversation. If I wanted to report something I would call the non emergency number at the station instead of cc'ing you like you were the guy down the hall that handles the TPS reports.
>>>> 
>>>> Paul
>>>> 
>>>>> On Sep 21, 2014 10:34 AM, "Tom Hansen" <thansen at moscow.com> wrote:
>>>>> Mr. Rumelhart stated:
>>>>> 
>>>>> "This one was a few feet long and looked like an official drone some department or other was testing out. I highly doubt they were deploying it illegally."
>>>>> 
>>>>> http://mailman.fsr.com/pipermail/vision2020/2014-September/098157.html
>>>>>  
>>>>> Question, Mr. Rumelhart:  Since I have never seen a drone flying within Moscow city limits (with the sole exception of the "Moscow Cares" drone I flew the other day at Guy Wicks Field), what department (state, county, or city) possesses a drone?
>>>>> 
>>>>> Question for Chief Duke:  Chief, are you aware of ANY drones flown over Moscow Junior High School yesterday (Saturday)?  I ask this question because I consider such activity to be a threat to the safety of the Moscow community.  I have thought it over carefully and extensively.  I have decided not to fly the "Moscow Cares" drone (pictured below) over people or a location with the potential of inhabiting people. 
>>>>> 
>>>>> <image1.jpeg>
>>>>> 
>>>>> Thank you for your anticipated and thoughtful response, Chief.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Seeya 'round town, Moscow, because . . .
>>>>> 
>>>>> "Moscow Cares"
>>>>> http://www.MoscowCares.com
>>>>>   
>>>>> Tom Hansen
>>>>> Moscow, Idaho
>>>>>  
>>>>>   
>>>>> 
>>>>>> On Sep 21, 2014, at 7:41 AM, Tom Hansen <thansen at moscow.com> wrote:
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Nope.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Mine is virtually silent
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Anybody care to see Guy Wicks Field from approximately 200 (that's right, two hundred) feet?
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> I don't see why I was so concerned.  This drone is easier to fly, and control (via iPad), than a kite.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> If I were you, Mr. Rumelhart, I would report this sighting to the Moscow Police.  Flying a drone, especially one as noisy as you claim, over a public school is dangerous.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Never mind.  I Cc'd a copy of this to Moscow Police Chief Duke.  You can provide the missing details to the officer when he stops by, ok?  The community would appreciate it.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Seeya 'round town, Moscow, because . . .
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> "Moscow Cares"
>>>>>> http://www.MoscowCares.com
>>>>>>   
>>>>>> Tom Hansen
>>>>>> Moscow, Idaho
>>>>>>   
>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> On Sep 20, 2014, at 5:06 PM, Paul Rumelhart <paul.rumelhart at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> I just saw what I looked like a big white drone making a loud piercing whistle sound heading west above the Junior High.  Anyone else see it?  Is this Tom's new toy?  I can only assume it was spying on me, attempting to divine exactly what I'm putting in the chili I've been preparing for dinner.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Paul
>>>>>>> =======================================================
>>>>>>> List services made available by First Step Internet,
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>>>>>>>               http://www.fsr.net
>>>>>>>          mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
>>>>>>> =======================================================
>>> 
>>> =======================================================
>>>  List services made available by First Step Internet,
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> 
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