The proliferation of drones for civilian use has rekindled and complicated privacy and safety concerns, especially in public places, where recreational drone use is flourishing.
A perfect example of this happened to me on Saturday, May 16. At Lake Meridian Park in Kent, my two daughters were playing on the playground. Shortly after, we arrived a group of three people began flying a large drone less than 20 yards from the playground, with a conspicuous camera pointed directly at the play area, which was full of kids.
I approached the group and asked them what they were doing. They responded that they were taking pictures. When asked why, the man I was talking to responded, “For my entertainment.” I was definitely unnerved by the fact that three complete adult strangers were photographing my, and everyone else’s kids for no reason other than to be entertained.
I called the police to report the incident. When they arrived they had a brief conversation with the photographers and informed me that nothing they were doing was illegal.
It is true that the right to privacy in public places is practically nonexistent. It is also true that it is perfectly legal to photograph children in public places without consent of the parents as long as it is for non-commercial uses. The question I wish to pose to the readers is, despite the legality of the drone pilots actions, was it moral, respectful and in line with the norms of our society?
Laws are created to protect property, public safety and to reflect the morals of our society as a whole. In this day and age, should parents be concerned about strangers blatantly photographing their kids? Do our kids have a right to play in a public space designated primarily for their recreation without having a drone fly over their heads taking their picture?
There is certainly precedence for banning drone use in public spaces. The National Park Service has banned drone use in Yosemite and other national parks.
Perhaps I was the one who was out of line by calling the police on harmless recreational photographers who just happened to mount their camera on a drone.
It is obvious that, in this situation, no laws were broken. What I want to ascertain from the readers and the community, and the reason I am writing this letter, is to ask the question, is that right?
– Clark Stevens
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