Use Of Drone At Hartford Crash Scene

http://foxct.com/2014/02/07/faa-investigating-possible-illegal-use-of-drone-at-hartford-crash-scene/ ^ | 2-7-14 | Beau Berman

[Paul46360]

"The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed to FOX CT News Thursday they are investigating the use of a drone at a Hartford fatal crash scene Saturday.

Questions about officer safety and public privacy are emerging now after the drone was spotted above a fatal car crash on Main Street.

FOX CT was the only media organization to obtain the official Hartford Police Department incident report Thursday, detailing the chain of events.

According to the report, officers spotted a drone flying over the scene of the crash, in which the bodies were still in the car."

[George from New England]

Was the drone there before the accident and could a drone distract a driver and cause an accident?

[null and void]

Is this radically different than a news chopper?

[DannyTN]

It seems to me that the law needs refinement.

I can see a valid police concern that a drone and live broadcast could influence a live shooter situation. But what about a on-site reporter and live broadcast? Is that illegal?

Seems to me that the law shouldn't limit the drone. Journalistic access to a crime scene or active law enforcement actions shouldn't ever be prohibited. Live broadcasts of such actions sometimes should be.

[Mechanicos]

Seems like the Paparazzi favoring laws will win out on this one....

[angcat]

How low can the Drone fly. What does the Drone look like? I googled but came across a few different types. I want to find one over PA so I can flip it off.

[Vermont Lt]

I guess the government may look over my fence, but I cannot.

There are rules about using video of police and citizens, but as long as the user was not violating those, or local FAA restrictions, it should be fair game.

[moovova]

“...Do we allow more of an intrusion into more traditional private moments like a tragic car accident?...”

Well, I guess they better start arresting “rubber-neckers” at crash scenes.

[ilovesarah2012]

Who did the drone belong to?

[Paul46360]

now THAT is a good question.

[DManA]

Not the government. Which is why the government got all upset.

[Minutemen]

This is going to be interesting: Drones vs. News copters!

[Minutemen]

Copters have a pilot on board. See my reply above.

[null and void]

All the more reason to ground the copters and replace them with drones. No one dies when they mid-air, and having a kilogram or so of minced drone fall on your house is much less of a problem that a fueled up helicopter...

[Minutemen]

Drones have never crashed to the ground? Wait until the mid-air collisions start happening.
I say we take away big brothers new found toys.

[MaxMax]

Once we are sold on Drones for security, they will be armed and some twitchy gamer
dweeb will be at the controls. We are heading into dangerous territory.

[bgill]

Could a drone fly in front of a car causing an accident? Yes, to all those type questions. Any 12 year old could have one now days. We’ve already gone too far.

[null and void]

Please re-read the second sentence in my post...

[TurboZamboni]

NRA sticker on the bumper?

accidentaly hellfire?

[Minutemen]

No one dies when they mid-air, and having a kilogram or so of minced drone fall on your house is much less of a problem that a fueled up helicopter........

So are you saying these "drones" are only 1/32nd scale balsa wood model airplanes?
I have it that Homeland Security wants to loan LE's the military Predator.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/dec/10/homeland-security-increasingly-loaning-drones-to-l/