Drone regulation doesn’t fly

BY PRU SOWERS

KONK LIFE STAFF WRITER

 

Efforts by Key West officials to regulate the rising use of drones flew into some turbulence Jan. 6 when city commissions rejected a proposed ordinance that would have imposed stiff restrictions and penalties on operators.

Commissioners voted 5-2 against the ordinance, which would have prohibited unmanned aerial systems, popularly referred to as drones, from being flown in or over Key West unless permitted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). It also gave Key West police the authority to cite or arrest operators, who would face fines and up to 60 days in jail.

As a result of the vote rejecting the ordinance, drones can continue to be used for both recreational and commercial purposes within city limits, including over public beaches and events, although not near the Key West International Airport.

The proposed ordinance drew heavy protest from commercial drone operators, who use the machines to record video footage for use in television commercials, weddings and movie production. Michael Cates, from Aerial Media Inc., said the FAA is currently working on new drone operation regulations and is due to release them by Sept. 30. Key West is jumping the gun to limit drone use that may conflict with whatever the FAA proposes.

“It’s an FAA issue. I think you should let them handle it,” Cates said.

But Commissioner Jimmy Weekley, who has championed the effort to create local restrictions on drone use, said he is concerned that more accidents will occur if operators continue to fly drones near populated areas. There have been at least two separate incidents in Key West where a drone crashed into a crowd, and one bystander has been injured.

“If we don’t do anything, are we going to have a third, a fourth, and fifth incident,” Weekley said. “Let’s put something in place that will protect the citizens and visitors.”

But Weekley couldn’t convince Commissioners Clayton Lopez, Mark Rossi, Billy Wardlow, Tony Yaniz and Mayor Craig Cates, who voted against the measure. Wardlow said he wanted to wait for the FAA to issue its guidelines. And even Commissioner Teri Johnston, who voted yes, said she thought the proposed ordinance would be difficult for police to enforce.

[livemarket market_name="KONK Life LiveMarket" limit=3 category=“” show_signup=0 show_more=0]