Christmas came early for the Los Angeles Police Department this month but the gift they found under their tree is making some LA citizens nervous. The LA Times reports that the Seattle Police Department gave the LAPD two drones (the department prefers to use the media-friendly term “unmanned aerial vehicle”), causing officials to assure Californians that the two Draganflyer X6 … [Read more...] about From Seattle With Love: LAPD Gets Controversial Drone Gifts
Law Enforcement
Tar Heel State Dips Into Drone Debate
A bill that would both regulate and expand drone use in North Carolina passed its first legislative hurdle after the N.C. House Committee on Unmanned Aircraft Systems approved a draft bill on April 23. If the bill (“An Act to Regulate the Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems”) passes the full House and Senate it would allow commercial use of drones in North Carolina (pending … [Read more...] about Tar Heel State Dips Into Drone Debate
Search and Rescue Group Files Lawsuit Against FAA
Texas-based EquuSearch, a non-profit organization that provides remote drone assistance for search and rescue ‘missions’ to families and law enforcement agencies, filed a lawsuit on Monday against the FAA demanding permission to use drones in their operations. In February, EquuSearch was issued an order by the FAA to ground all the company's UAVs. This left many people in a … [Read more...] about Search and Rescue Group Files Lawsuit Against FAA
Drone License and Registration, Please!
Last week's accident involving a drone and a triathlete in Australia brings to the forefront the issue of drone safety and liability. And with the issue of drone safety and liability comes the discussion of licensing and registration. The accidents and risks are real. Remember the Wyoming groom (YouTube video below) who almost didn't get to say "I Do" as a result of being … [Read more...] about Drone License and Registration, Please!
Proposed Bill in Massachusetts Looks to Protect Private Citizens
The rise in demand for commercial use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) is soaring, leaving federal and state regulators struggling to keep up. Privacy is the primary focus of the bills regulating state use of UAVs. There are already several laws on the books to regulate government agencies use of UAVs. Others are still pending, such as Massachusetts’ Bill S.1664. Much like … [Read more...] about Proposed Bill in Massachusetts Looks to Protect Private Citizens
