Got yelled at and threatened today

[The Raven]

QuadKid, I respectfully implore you to study and KNOW Florida statute 776.013 (stupidly labeled the “stand your ground” law imo). It absolutely does not apply to a scenario of someone out in public flying their quadcopter in a park. Regardless, someone walking up to me while I’m flying my Mavic, no matter how angry they are, does not constitute a threat of death or severe bodily harm (which is the legal standard for someone to use deadly force).

I'm pretty sure he wasn't saying he'd shoot someone for mouthing off to him. If Florida CWP holders did that, there would be dead New Yorkers lying around all over Florida.

 

[The Raven]

View attachment 39985

A sign at the Emerald pool park in Thailand i visited yesterday

The human race subdivides neatly into three categories: those who want to control others, those who want to be controlled, and those who want nothing to do with either of the former groups. Unfortunately, we in the third group are being outbred by the hordes of Third Worlders and socialists.

 

[DroningOn]

The human race subdivides neatly into three categories: those who want to control others, those who want to be controlled, and those who want nothing to do with either of the former groups.

Substitute “mavicpilots.com” instead of “human race” and you just described drone owners here perfectly.

 

[The Raven]

And here, there's subgroup D - Junior G-Men. These guys congregate around ham radio and volunteer fire departments too.

Substitute “mavicpilots.com” instead of “human race” and you just described drone owners here perfectly.

 

[SteveBG]

View attachment 39985

A sign at the Emerald pool park in Thailand i visited yesterday

Thailand isn't the kind of place where you want to test the sincerity of that request, either.

 

[BD0G]

I've never had an issue until recently when I was approached by some claiming to work for the local pack district. He said that I cant fly in any of the city's parks and spouted some BS about the FAA etc. I was 99% sure he was wrong but I just thanked him for correcting me and landed. I had already previously checked the park districts website and rules as well as city ordinances and found nothing. This time I emailed the city administrator and asked, he copied the police chief and city attorney who both confirmed there were no issues flying in the city parks. I printed both and put them in my bag. With two parks within walking distance of my house it makes it very easy to fly and no one has bothered me over the last few years. I look forward to seeing this imposter again and hope I never have to deal with a true nutcase.

I always ask what law or statute they are quoting and to please give me a moment to bring it up on my internet connected phone. If they get pushy I tell them until I know that I am not allowed to fly here and have confirmed it I will not be leaving. "Feel free to call the police - I'll wait and be civil." In many cases the police will not even respond as the call volume is prioritized.

 

[BD0G]

Not disagreeing your tactics but how many times have you found yourself in this situation?

Exactly once.

Remember - Having pepper spray displayed in a prominent place on ones person is a deterrent to violence and not a provocation. If someone takes it as a provocation then it is that person that is going to be gasping for breath and crying like a baby. I hold my breath and move quickly from the spot.

Flying over a local parks baseball field outfield . All the kids on the team doing "infield " practice could not keep thier eyes off the drone and that infuriated the manager. Manager decides to storm over - I mock him by storming towards him across the field using the same body language and stride. He did not like it at all. I told him there are no rules or regulations prohibiting flight in this park (I had checked beforehand) The outfield was essentially stretching the entire park and I was in no way shape or form flying over people or personal property. Manager kept yelling and yelled " take a swing" I replied " Ive got a drone and controller in my hands and have way to much to loose" . " I could give you some spice to go with your spicy attitude though" I looked at my canister intentionally as did he.

In this case I broke my own rule as I had not created it yet. Never land and hold your drone. Instead get a nice vantage point of the situation and parties involved and film, film , film. Even if the cops DO show up film , film ,film until instructed to no longer do so.

The other event did not escalate. Flying at a local Tahoe Point of interest. I was down a trail on the weekend. Sightseers were up above at the look out point. Some Douche kept yelling to the crowd. "Hey theres my drone" I yelled " Then why dont you come down here and get it" . Then a few minutes later "Hey theres my drone" Same response from me. He left after that.

There is about a 10:1 ratio of cool people to douches when flying drones.

 

[BD0G]

Thank you, that's a great idea.





Its non lethal , can be obtained on eBay for sub 7 $ , and legal in every state.

 

[BD0G]

I fly with a 9mm on my hip. Someone approached me or my property in a hostile / threatening manner I WILL STAND MY GROUND! A privilege of living in Florida.

I could do that as well here in Nevada , but I really , really, really dont want to have to shoot someone. Lots of BS legalities and some time in jail even if justified shooting while they investigate. I value my ability to not have to eat 3 straight meals of baloney sandwiches and sleep on my expensive mattress.

 

[Echelon]

Yes, I usually stand my ground firmly in all situations but the circumstances "family and friends with me" made me feel it was best to just wrap it up since we were done anyways. Now that I have my approval in hand I'll be sure to fly down there again when he is likely to be around so I can correct him and hopefully keep him from running other people off in the future. I'll also be sure to get his name and position first so I can let his superior know hes spreading BS as gospel.

 

[microlinux]

Flying over a local parks baseball field outfield . All the kids on the team doing "infield " practice could not keep thier eyes off the drone and that infuriated the manager..

Ha, ha I've noticed the same thing. I try to avoid flying near fields now where there are games/practice going on so I don't throw the game, ha!. Never had anyone get angry or say anything, though.

 

[DroningOn]

It is a dangerous world out there and some of us take our safety very seriously. We are not the ones causing the problem, we have just chosen to be primarily responsible to protect ourselves and not completely rely on others.
In a world where flying camera equipped quadcopters can be contentious to say the least (I.e. stories about people being physically assaulted, our property being destroyed or crazy people shooting them out of the sky etc), I think a discussion about personal safety is a valid one on a drone site. Again, WE aren’t the ones doing these things, we are the victims.

 

[BD0G]

When seconds count police are minutes away...

 

[ac0j]

Words alone do not give reason to assault someone, with a gun, fist or mace.
Macing someone because you dont like the tone of their voice WILL land you in jail. Its considered assault.

 

[The Raven]

Words alone do not give reason to assault someone, with a gun, fist or mace.
Macing someone because you dont like the tone of their voice WILL land you in jail. Its considered assault.

Pepper spraying someone is not, in fact, assault in most free states in the US. In fact, it is considered a lower level of force than laying hands on someone.

-your friendly local use-of-force escalation instructor, POST certified.

 

[ac0j]

Nebraska isnt one of those states then. I have a friend that is a process server. He gets maced a few times a year, every time has resulted in the sprayer going to jail. No verbal assault requires ANY kind of physical response.
unless of course, your income stems from telling people something different.

 

[BD0G]

Lets see . Clearly and loudly warning someone multiple times that you feel threatened by thier actions and escalated tone within the presence of witnesses and then macing someone while on drone video.

I think I will take my chances. Thanks for thinking of my well being with the informative and incorrect post.

Even though as The Raven (above) points out it is indeed not assault in many states.

 

[ac0j]

Lets see . Clearly and loudly warning someone multiple times that you feel threatened by thier actions and escalated tone within the presence of witnesses and then macing someone while on drone video.

I think I will take my chances. Thanks for thinking of my well being with the informative and incorrect post.

Even though as The Raven (above) points out it is indeed not assault in many states.

You are free to do as you wish. But If I were you I would ask an official in your area to be sure. I doubt they will care what "the Raven" told you while putting the cuffs on.
Of course we are all strangers on the internet, you can always pick to agree with whatever aligns with your beliefs, BUT I have read about several cases of mace being used as the "first blow" after a verbal confrontation. Even remember a case on Judge Judy about this exact thing! LOL!
Since it is a PHYSICAL response to a non physical threat, the user goes to jail.

 

[DroningOn]

While laws concerning pepper spray and the like are all over the map in the us, there is an almost universal doctrine that the use of any force must be proportional and a response to a PHYSICAL threat. An obnoxious person yelling at you is not that!!

 

[Qoncussion]

Exactly once.

Remember - Having pepper spray displayed in a prominent place on ones person is a deterrent to violence and not a provocation. If someone takes it as a provocation then it is that person that is going to be gasping for breath and crying like a baby. I hold my breath and move quickly from the spot.

Flying over a local parks baseball field outfield . All the kids on the team doing "infield " practice could not keep thier eyes off the drone and that infuriated the manager. Manager decides to storm over - I mock him by storming towards him across the field using the same body language and stride. He did not like it at all. I told him there are no rules or regulations prohibiting flight in this park (I had checked beforehand) The outfield was essentially stretching the entire park and I was in no way shape or form flying over people or personal property. Manager kept yelling and yelled " take a swing" I replied " Ive got a drone and controller in my hands and have way to much to loose" . " I could give you some spice to go with your spicy attitude though" I looked at my canister intentionally as did he.

In this case I broke my own rule as I had not created it yet. Never land and hold your drone. Instead get a nice vantage point of the situation and parties involved and film, film , film. Even if the cops DO show up film , film ,film until instructed to no longer do so.

The other event did not escalate. Flying at a local Tahoe Point of interest. I was down a trail on the weekend. Sightseers were up above at the look out point. Some Douche kept yelling to the crowd. "Hey theres my drone" I yelled " Then why dont you come down here and get it" . Then a few minutes later "Hey theres my drone" Same response from me. He left after that.

There is about a 10:1 ratio of cool people to douches when flying drones.

I started carrying pepper spray a year ago, every time I fly. Most of my flying is in the mountains, middle of nowhere. Last year I had a guy casing my car, looking in the windows, hoodie pulled up over his head...etc. I was only about 100ft from the car, and just knew that he was eventually going to look over his shoulder before trying anything. I was already standing tall and facing him when he finally looked. He ran to his car and left the mountain. What he couldn't see, as there was some tall brush between us, was that my leg was in a cast, and I couldn't have chased him even if I wanted to.

I keep the pepper spray in my pocket. I'd rather that it be a complete surprise . My thinking is that I just want to buy enough time to leave the area. I'm not going to threaten or intimidate a bully. I'm simply going to win, and walk.