Suffolk Lawmakers Approve Restrictions On Camera Drones At County Beaches
HAUPPAUGE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Suffolk County lawmakers have voted to restrict the use of camera-bearing drones over its beaches and facilities during the summer months.
The measure bars flights over any county facility without authorization from public works and bans flights over county parks without a permit from the parks department.
Leg. William Spencer said the permits will be free, but limited to journalists, real estate buyers or anyone covering an approved county event, CBS2's Hazel Sanchez reported.
Lawmakers said hobbyists will be able to get permits under guidelines the county parks department is drawing up.
"It's kind of like the wild west, anything goes; take your drone and fly it on the beach or fly it anywhere else. We're just saying let's start to have some basic ground rules," Spencer said.
The measure will be in effect each year between May 15 and Sept. 15. Lawmakers said it will take three to four months to come up with the drone permit guidelines, so the regulations at county beaches will not go into effect until next year.
Some critics argue the law may be unconstitutional and question how it will be enforced.
Leg. Rob Calarco said the beach ban is a reach because no one in a public place has an expectation of privacy.
But Spencer said while he loves the new drone his kids gave him for Father's Day, he doesn't want just anyone flying them over county parks or beaches where folks are sunbathing.
"...You can have a drone that can lose control, that could injure people," Spencer said.
Barbara Cataletto, of Huntington, welcomed the legislation.
"Absolutely agree with that. We need a permit to drive a boat and we need a permit to ride a car. Anything that is taking on any public health issue should have to get a license and a permit for sure," she said.
But 17-year-old Nico Zarriale sees it as a loss of personal freedom for several of his friends who operate drones in the park.
"We have the right to do things. We have the right to technology and such, so, I don't think they should," he said.
Zarriale said he's never seen anyone hurt by a drone when in the right hands.
"They can be handled if you know what you're doing," he said.
County Executive Steve Bellone has 30 days to sign or veto the bill.
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