I Have A Drone Problem Too

One of many speculations links recent drone activity on the East Coast to the Department of Transportation, 49 CFR Hazardous Material Regulations. Apparently, there is word going around that a shipment of radioactive medical equipment was received at a disposal facility in New Jersey, the container breached, and contents missing.

The DOT Hazardous Material Regulations clearly state in Section 171.15, after a hazardous material incident, an unintentional release of a radioactive hazardous material in addition to when someone is killed or hospitalized, must be reported by phone to the National Response Center within 12 hours of discovery. This would be followed by a written report (Form F 5800.1) to the Department of Transportation within 30 days, under Section 171.16.

When you think about it, it’s not too far-fetched. Not because the displaced material presents an “immediate danger to life and health”, I’m not sure it does. But it would give the authorities the opportunity to test out covert surveillance apparatus. If there was suspicion or the threat of an unintentional radioactive release or terrorist event, in the panic, it would be difficult for authorities to carry out a door-to-door search. The solution, drones.

Since more illegal and intrusive government surveillance has been done on our computers and cell phones in the past, it certainly is a possibility.

 It would also be a good way to gauge the public's reaction to this obvious affront. At the same time, test any new types of surveillance information technologies for explosives, infectious substances and poison gas detection during both intentional and unintentional releases, who knows even tiny airborne particles of DNA for tracking perceived criminals, terrorists or bloodlines, capabilities that are not yet available to our distant, orbiting military and intelligence satellites.

Probably the biggest benefit to the government might be the fear it instills in the general public, inciting the need for even more intelligence and surveillance funding. What if the detection apparatus, in conjunction with the drones themselves, pose more of a personal and physical threat than the elusive object or individual? The only thing that I know for sure is that you won’t be making that decision.

I had a drone problem in one of my recent seminars. We always try to finish the seminar at the promised time so that people can make their plans for the evening. However, we received a text late in the day from one of our attendees, concerned the seminar would run over per the fact I seemed to just drone on and on. For this, I apologize. This intelligence was highly valuable, and in the future, we will do better in our surveillance of the time. 

Thank you. 

Robert J Keegan
Publisher and President
Hazardous Materials Publishing Company
Transportation Skills Programs Inc
keegan743@gmail.com
610-587-3978 text