Two bills would better regulate use of drones, protect privacy

[hrmjustin]

By Thomas Alston

Two Manhattan men were arrested this week and charged with reckless endangerment for flying a remotely controlled drone in the vicinity of the George Washington Bridge. According to police, the drone came within 800 feet of a police helicopter in the area, forcing the craft's pilot to alter course.

When the pilot spotted the unmanned aircraft, he radioed air traffic control at La Guardia Airport. The air traffic controller was unable to detect the drone using radar, likely due to the craft's small size. The pilot was unable to initially identify the civilian drone which caused a brief security scare. Once the pilot recognized the device, he was able to track it until it landed and notified local law enforcement.

This case is one of many involving close encounters between drones and manned aircraft in New York City that calls attention to the increased proliferation of civilian drones, and the lack of federal or state regulation.

Two bills in the state Legislature would prevent unwarranted drone surveillance on residents in their homes and other instances where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy.


http://www.legislativegazette.com/Articles-Top-Stories-c-2014-07-11-88585.113122-Two-bills-would-better-regulate-use-of-drones-protect-privacy.html

[hrmjustin]

1. Councilman Wants to Regulate Drones Flying Over New York

http://observer.com/2014/07/councilman-wants-to-regulate-drones-flying-over-new-york/