Rules for thee....

[mavic3usa]

Apparently it's ok to fly a helicopter 50 feet over the heads of the mostly innocent crowd below in an attempt to disperse them. We all know "there's a gun" is the go-to excuse but even if there were, is this really appropriate?

I thought the NY depts all have drones? Have they already transitioned the drone fleet to following innocent people to make sure they don't commit crimes, surveilling political opponents and hover outside their offices, and tracking ordinary law abiding citizens documenting their goings and comings instead of fighting crime? /s

I have no idea the state or federal law on this but it's hard to believe this is sanctioned. If I were under that helicopter I would have a discussion with my lawyer:

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[Cafguy]

Well.......Lets talk about how Drones are becoming more popular with our City Governments and what could result....I'll start with this breaking news:

Government drones used in 'runaway spying operation' to peek into backyards in Sonoma County, lawsuit says

Three residents filed a lawsuit this week against Sonoma County seeking to block code enforcement from using drones to take aerial images of their homes in what the American Civil Liberties Union is calling a 'runaway spying operation.'

www.yahoo.com

 

[tstr14]

Do as I say, not as I do. This has ALWAYS been a problem with governments.

 

[Chip]

I would assume the proper course is for the FAA to investigate and conclude whether the helicopter was flown recklessly. I personally think it was for sure. The one guy who was interviewed said that helos may be used to disperse crowds, that its now an approved practice. I have a hard time believing that but maybe in a real serious emergency and no other way to disperse crowd. I wonder about the vortex effect where the chopper gets so low it suddenly loses lift in the turbulent air. It seems to be a little unpredictable even for best pilots and best choppers.

 

[Mt-Ed]

And at just 50', some crazed person with a firearm, and NO consideration for the consequences of their actions, could easily hit it, bringing it down right on the whole crowd resulting in perhaps more harm than good by its presence?