Flying Near Immigrant Detention Center

[JimWest]

A private prison has opened a large immigrant detention center in rural Michigan. I plan to photograph a rally against the detention center on Friday. The problem is that the center itself is in the woods, and not visible from the public road where the rally will be held. I likely can get a good shot with my M2P by flying above the road. Any thoughts about problems I may encounter, assuming that I am not above the detention center itself? The FAA's UAS Data on a Map does not show restricted airspace there. There are no TFRs.

 

[mavic3usa]

Here are a couple of First Amendment examples you can look into:

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[Cafguy]

You need to CAREFULLY examine the Laws in the area and the FAA Regulations for flying near a place designated as "Critical Infrastructure" I would also look to make VERY SURE that no TFR's are put in place!! You can almost guarantee there are NOTAMS and restrictions in place. I wouldnt do it simply because the place will be inundated with the Media in whatever Drones and choppers they can send up.

 

[AMann]

A private prison has opened a large immigrant detention center in rural Michigan. I plan to photograph a rally against the detention center on Friday. The problem is that the center itself is in the woods, and not visible from the public road where the rally will be held. I likely can get a good shot with my M2P by flying above the road. Any thoughts about problems I may encounter, assuming that I am not above the detention center itself? The FAA's UAS Data on a Map does not show restricted airspace there. There are no TFRs.

Good luck and be sure you dont mind the chance (a good one) of getting your drone confiscated- I’d use a throw away one if it were me, I like my M2P too much!

 

[Mike2Fst]

If flying at an illegal alien detention center rally, may consider the rules and regulations regarding flying over people. As someone else mentioned, there's likely going to be MSM air traffic. Alot of scenarios present to get into serious trouble .

 

[Dale D]

A private prison has opened a large immigrant detention center in rural Michigan. I plan to photograph a rally against the detention center on Friday. The problem is that the center itself is in the woods, and not visible from the public road where the rally will be held. I likely can get a good shot with my M2P by flying above the road. Any thoughts about problems I may encounter, assuming that I am not above the detention center itself? The FAA's UAS Data on a Map does not show restricted airspace there. There are no TFRs.

Why go looking for trouble? I am a risk averse drone pilot and I cherish even my Mavic mini 4pro let alone my Mavic3.
I like freedom from police and lawyers and against fines too much.
That footage is not worth risking it all for me.
Dale

 

[JimWest]

Why go looking for trouble? I am a risk averse drone pilot and I cherish even my Mavic mini 4pro let alone my Mavic3.
I like freedom from police and lawyers and against fines too much.
That footage is not worth risking it all for me.
Dale

I'm not looking for trouble. I'm a news photographer and looking for a photo. This is my job (freelance, self-employed). I will certainly take pictures of the protest on the ground with my Canon, but showing the detention center in the background tells the story much better. I also like freedom from police, and having been wrongfully arrested during a previous photo assignment (not with a drone) means I understand that very well. I'm not interested in breaking the law here, but I also believe that in this country we have certain rights, and that if we don't use them we are likely to lose them.

 

[Jim Martin]

I'm not looking for trouble. I'm a news photographer and looking for a photo. This is my job (freelance, self-employed). I will certainly take pictures of the protest on the ground with my Canon, but showing the detention center in the background tells the story much better. I also like freedom from police, and having been wrongfully arrested during a previous photo assignment (not with a drone) means I understand that very well. I'm not interested in breaking the law here, but I also believe that in this country we have certain rights, and that if we don't use them we are likely to lose them.

As a photo journalist, you know this is volatile and things could go south very quickly. It's really a "risk/benefit" situation and only you can decide if it's worth it. If you go for it, I hope you get some great shots!

 

[Furlan]

Political barbs permitted on this forum?

 

[Nanny Ogg]

Make sure you have legal representation lined up in advance.

 

[MS Coast]

Good luck and be sure you dont mind the chance (a good one) of getting your drone confiscated- I’d use a throw away one if it were me, I like my M2P too much!

Can you cite some instances of drones being confiscated in similar situations?

 

[AMann]

Can you cite some instances of drones being confiscated in similar situations?

Well, no but honestly, they could detain you for whatever reason they want- legal or illegal. I was also thinking you would get better coverage if you have a Zoom enabled drone as you won’t be able to fly as closely as you need to with the fixed lens M2P- you will get good wide angle shots but for good details a smaller less conspicuous drone or one with a zoom (eg, the M2P zoom) would be better. Also consider having someone carry a voice recorder on the ground- you can use that for remote sound to add to your soundtrack - syncing it with a time would be helpful so it is almost like having live audio of the event. Good luck- you are doing a good thing.

 

[djwak59]

Political barbs permitted on this forum?

“Political barbs” ? No, it’s just facts of living in the New America now.

 

[clackey]

Political barbs permitted on this forum?

No. Report them and we will take a look.

 

[Dave Pitman]

No. Report them and we will take a look.

There is a big difference between barbs and facts. Hoping the site owner can discern the difference. But maybe not.

 

[clackey]

There is a big difference between barbs and facts. Hoping the site owner can discern the difference. But maybe not.

The site owner doesn’t read every post. He relies on the reports of members. So far one post has been reported in this thread and removed.

Ideally our community members can discuss difficult topics without blame.

 

[Bad Santa]

History is made by those who take risks.

 

[Dave Pitman]

Ideally our community members can discuss difficult topics without blame.

So, as it relates to this thread, the OP was asking about what the community thought about his planned flight. To warn the OP about how federal law enforcement is behaving these past months (which is public knowledge) is fine. But assigning blame to the admin that is facilitating that behavior is off limits?

 

[djwak59]

So, as it relates to this thread, the OP was asking about what the community thought about his planned flight. To warn the OP about how federal law enforcement is behaving these past months (which is public knowledge) is fine. But assigning blame to the admin that is facilitating that behavior is off limits?

Thank you ! Bravo.