STATEHOUSE – A local burglary involving a high-tech signal jammer most often used to evade authorities has State Rep. Wendy McNamara (R-Evansville) and the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office working together to find legislative solutions.
During a meeting led by McNamara today at the Statehouse, the Interim Study Committee on Corrections and Criminal Code discussed concerns over criminals using signal jamming equipment, which can turn off Wi-Fi cameras, like Ring doorbells, and other devices that use radio frequencies, to avoid getting caught. Recently, Vanderburgh County sheriff deputies found a frequency jamming device in a burglary suspect’s vehicle, which they believe prevented their computer from working.
While it’s a federal crime to use this technology, McNamara said Indiana does not have a law on the books about intentionally interfering with communications.
“I’m very concerned about criminals’ use of this technology and the threat it presents to public safety,” McNamara said. “These jamming devices could mean a victim couldn’t call 911 for help or access their security cameras. We want to close any loopholes in state law to ensure criminals will be held accountable. That’s why I will continue working with the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office and other local law enforcement to find legislative solutions to propose during the upcoming legislative session.”
Vanderburgh County Sheriff Noah Robinson testified today during the study committee about the dangers of signal jamming devices and called for legislative action to help law enforcement hold criminals accountable.
“Indiana has a number of laws that deal with the interference with reporting of a crime, but none that deal with actually interfering with the signals that are being broadcast by our cellular and Wi-Fi devices,” Robinson said. “As a local law enforcement officer, it is frustrating to see someone use a device of this magnitude and the danger it poses and not have any teeth in Indiana law to allow us to take action to stop it or dissuade someone else from trying the same thing.”
McNamara said Robinson’s testimony helped her and the members of the interim study committee better understand the technology and law enforcement’s concerns, and she plans to craft legislation during the 2025 session, which will begin in January.
