Oklahoma ramps up drone monitoring as state acquires mobile systems to track rogue flights

Tim Tipton DPS Commissioner(KOKH Ryan Russo)

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — On Wednesday, the head of public safety in the state announced a new plan to investigate rogue drone sightings.

Department of Public Safety Commissioner Tim Tipton has been tapped by Governor Kevin Stitt to lead the charge in drone monitoring. It comes after several commercial-sized drones have been spotted on the East Coast, leading to conspiracy theories and fear among residents.

RELATED: Mayor suggests New Jersey drones may be linked to missing radioactive material

Commissioner Tipton said that Oklahoma only has fixed drone monitoring systems at present. Because of the Governor’s new initiative, however, DPS has been able to purchase mobile drone detection systems so DPS can respond to sightings more quickly.

The mobile systems can see if a drone is in the air and then send a signal to it. If the drone is licensed, as the FAA requires, a signal will return to the mobile system and let them know who owns it.

Tipton expects the mobile systems to be delivered soon.

Tipton also said there have been some sightings of rogue drones in the state.

RELATED: Drones spotted near US Air Force bases in Ohio, Utah and reportedly Germany

“It’s been a concern of ours for quite some time,” he added.

One case, in Carter County, happened earlier this month. Tipton said DPS worked with the Carter County Sheriff’s Office on the case when a commercial-sized drone was found flying near a refinery.

Though the drones have not been proven to be malicious in intent, Tipton said it’s best to be prepared.

“We’ve got to pre-emptively be prepared for that,” Tipton said.

One big problem, he says, is the state can only monitor drone use. The FAA doesn’t allow for the state to intercept drones.

“There is technology out there that allows you to overtake that drone and take control of it and safely put it on the ground,” Tipton said. “Right now, the federal government doesn’t allow us to own that technology and use it.”

Tipton said the Governor is sending a letter to several Governor’s Associations that will ask for cooperation at the federal level to allow state’s limited use of interception technology.

“Ultimately, we are the first responders,” Tipton said. “We’re going to be there first and we need to be there to safely remove that threat.”

However, Tipton urges Oklahomans to not take matters into their own hands. It is illegal to shoot at drones.

“It’s impractical and it’s dangerous,” he said.