Paul Bohn, Esq.
We
wrote a little while back about the latest trend of recreational drone usage.
While the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) has tried to slow the increasing use of these UAVs (Unmanned Aerial
Vehicles) with regulatory measures, drones are probably coming to a
neighborhood near you whether you like it or not.
And
now, the Michigan State Police have
become the first law enforcement agency in the country with permission to use a
drone statewide. The State Police purchased the drone back in September 2013
and have been working with the FAA to come into safety and training compliance.
The
drones will be utilized in search and rescue missions, and crime scene and
accident investigations.
While
this approval signifies progress for drone advocates, the news has prompted
privacy concerns.
Legislation
was introduced last session to regulate the police use of drones, but nothing
ever came of the bill. Privacy proponents are hopeful that similar legislation
will be introduced again and passed.
“There
are legitimate uses but it's important that we rein in big brother," said
former state Rep. Tom McMillin. “I really wanted to make sure there is
reporting on how it's being used. If they are recording things that they
shouldn't, that stuff should be destroyed. We don't just want them flying
around watching people."
Check
out our last blog on drones and the legal complications with their popularity
here: http://fbfirm.blogspot.com/2015/02/dronies-trending-upward-in-air-and-on.html
Read more on this story in
the Detroit Free Press:
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