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PERSPECTIVE DRONING ON:
Drones Positively Impact Lives By D. Damon Willens
T
en years ago, if someone had mentioned the word “drones,” one would have thought about far-away wars and unmanned aircraft firing missiles at sites and collecting geographical information unsuspecting targets. Yet only a few years later, system (GIS) data for mapping. The City of drones have become a part of everyday life Torrance has used drones to monitor its coyote for millions of people. Hobbyists, commercial population. These uses save manpower and users and government agencies have expanded reduce risk of injury to workers arising from the use of drones exponentially as technology climbing poles, ladders and roofs. Drones are has made them affordable for the average increasingly being used to augment or replace person and governmental budget. helicopters, at a savings of thousands of Back in the “Wild West” days of 2015, when dollars per hour. Even the most basic consumer drone laws were still in their infancy and people drones can now provide stunning highwere not used to seeing drones flying over their definition imagery. neighborhoods, there was a strong push by While many people are concerned about state and local governments to pass their own privacy issues, such concerns can be greatly drone laws to combat what was perceived as a mitigated by carefully tailored regulations privacy and safety threat. Some of these laws and policies regarding the use and retention were well-intentioned but overly restrictive, of drone photos and video. “Paparazzi” and and many arguably violated the FAA’s authority “invasion of privacy” laws in many states, over airspace (a debate that has not yet been including California, limit these intrusions on resolved). However, as the drone industry private individuals and provide private rights of has matured and we have seen that drones action. The Fourth Amendment and state and can be used safely and responsibly, some of local restrictions on law enforcement use of the negative publicity surrounding drones drones greatly minimize the risk of improper has waned. The concerns of drone mid-air surveillance and “weaponization.” collisions and “Big Brother” spying on citizens What about drone package deliveries? have been shown to be more hype than reality. The technology is improving and several What uses of drones should we anticipate companies, including Amazon and Wing, are in the next decade? Certainly, first responders testing drone deliveries in coordination with have been on the cutting edge of governmental the FAA. However, until there is more societal drone use. Law enforcement agencies, with and governmental support, it is unlikely we will community input for their policies, use see Amazon drones crisscrossing the skies drones to catch fleeing felons, take crimeabove our homes. scene photos, and conduct traffic accident As our regulatory structure catches up investigations, while keeping officers out of to technological advances, we can expect harm’s way. Fire departments use infrareddrones to become more ubiquitous, but in a equipped drones to monitor brush fires and way that balances the benefits with privacy search for lost hikers. Lifeguards watch and safety concerns. • for sharks near surfers and drop buoys to swimmers in distress. First responders often D. Damon Willens is the owner of Blue Line use drones after natural disasters to drop Drones, a consulting firm which assists first medical supplies and food to isolated victims, responders and other government agencies in and quickly locate otherwise inaccessible areas. creating and operating drone programs. Willens Other governmental uses of drones include is an attorney who specializes in drone law and construction and traffic management, building an LAPD reserve police officer with experience and utility inspections, surveying engineering in law enforcement drone operations.
Published May 23, 2022 by the South Bay Cities Council of Governments A quarterly bulletin to inform local leaders of subregional progress and alert them to emerging issues Governing Board: Chair Drew Boyles, El Segundo 1st Vice Chair John Cruikshank, Rancho Palos Verdes 2nd Vice Chair Cedric Hicks, Carson Immediate Past Chair Olivia Valentine, Hawthorne Members: Carson , County of LA, El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Lawndale, Lomita, Los Angeles, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Torrance SBCCOG Executive Director Jacki Bacharach Legal Counsel Michael Jenkins, Best Best & Krieger LLP Treasurer Joseph Lillio Director of Finance, City of El Segundo
To subscribe to SBCCOG newsletters or view past editions, visit southbaycities.org/newsletter. To view a schedule of SBCCOG meetings, visit southbaycities.org/calendar. Website: southbaycities.org Like us: facebook.com/SBCCOG facebook.com/SBESC Follow us: @SouthBayCCOG @SBESC This publication printed on an FSC paper and contains 30% post consumer waste.
