FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 27, 2023
CONTACT INFORMATION:
East Providence Police Department
Lieutenant Michael Rapoza
Public Information Officer
(401)-435-7600
Police respond to male flying drone over Myron Francis Elementary
EAST PROVIDENCE, RI – On May 26, 2023, East Providence police responded to Myron J. Francis Elementary School regarding a male flying a drone over the building while students were being dropped off for the school day. When officers arrived on scene, they located a male walking away from the area with a drone in hand. He was positively identified by officers. Based upon the officer’s investigation, they were unable to locate any recordings (stills or videos) of the school building or students on the drone.
The male was escorted from the school grounds and later released from the scene.
“There is no reason to believe there was a threat to the students, staff, or physical structure of the building,” East Providence Superintendent Sandra Forand said. “If there was a concern, police and the East Providence School District would have distributed the appropriate information.”
Questions or concerns about specific police-related instances can be directed to the East Providence Police Department. Please do not hesitate to contact us.
Because the male was operating a drone in restricted airspace (due to our proximity to T.F. Green Airport) our law enforcement partners at the Federal Aviation Administration were notified.
