Got my 1st taste of Drone hate...

[ifly2high]

I've been flying my p3 around a quarter mile or so up the road from my house to check out some construction going on. Took off yesterday evening to have a another look at the progress, cruised around at about 250-300', snapped a few pics and came home. I then proceeded to the fridge and grabbed a beer and headed back outside to enjoy the 80 degree desert evening[emoji5]and look at the pics I took.

Shortly after I notice two local police officers at my back gate wanting to know if I was the drone owner. I confessed immediately and invited them in. It seems a neighbor up the road reported a 'camera drone' had been hovering over their house spying on them regularly. I explained what I'd been doing, and after checking my FAA registration they told me I was well within my rights and could carry on...one of the officers had a brother-in-law that's a drone enthusiast and he was pretty knowledgeable on the rules and regs of RC flying. He suggested less hovering, more moving, Lol

It felt good to know I'm ok with local law enforcement, but I do wish my paranoid neighbor would have come to me first, I'm known to be a pretty nice guy...occasionally![emoji4]

 

[JimmysWoodshop]

Just show them your pictures and that none of them are zoomed in pics of the neighbors daughter in her bikini sun bathing. People see a drone and immediately think it's spying on them.

 

[DigitalSkyPilot]

Human nature is why I love my German Shepherds. You just have to avoid those humans who are showing their teeth. Next time you talk with the police offer them your volunteer services to look for people, pets, or ?. And remember the officers name for future reference.

 

[jwmcgrath]

Glad it ended well for you!

 

[microlinux]

It seems a neighbor up the road reported a 'camera drone' had been hovering over their house spying on them regularly.

Because the only possible reason a drone can be in the air is to spy on people! I mean sure, when a drone is 200 feet in the air it can see for miles, but obviously one should just assume it's spying on oneself!

 

[alokbhargava]

I don't care, let any one spy on my house. I do all legal. Why should I be scared of anyone?

 

[AeroMirage]

We can attribute some of the drone paranoia to Hollywood. In the movies, drones practically have X-Ray vision.
Part of the reason I try to fly where nobody is around. I don't like spectators.
And, of course there are the pervs that DO spy on 10 year old girls that are sunbathing..........

 

[ifly2high]

I don't care, let any one spy on my house. I do all legal. Why should I be scared of anyone?

This, and the fact that most quad pilots are not going to use precious battery time staring at someone's backyard hoping to nab a video of them picking their nose! [emoji19]

 

[FlyerFocus]

I don't care, let any one spy on my house. I do all legal. Why should I be scared of anyone?

It's certainly your choice to be an open book just as it's the choice of many other law abiding citizens to keep their book closed. A desire for privacy is not an indicator of wrong-doing.

 

[FlyerFocus]

I've been flying my p3 around a quarter mile or so up the road from my house to check out some construction going on. Took off yesterday evening to have a another look at the progress, cruised around at about 250-300', snapped a few pics and came home. I then proceeded to the fridge and grabbed a beer and headed back outside to enjoy the 80 degree desert evening[emoji5]and look at the pics I took.

Shortly after I notice two local police officers at my back gate wanting to know if I was the drone owner. I confessed immediately and invited them in. It seems a neighbor up the road reported a 'camera drone' had been hovering over their house spying on them regularly. I explained what I'd been doing, and after checking my FAA registration they told me I was well within my rights and could carry on...one of the officers had a brother-in-law that's a drone enthusiast and he was pretty knowledgeable on the rules and regs of RC flying. He suggested less hovering, more moving, Lol

It felt good to know I'm ok with local law enforcement, but I do wish my paranoid neighbor would have come to me first, I'm known to be a pretty nice guy...occasionally![emoji4]

I took the pro-active approach and put a letter in my neighbors' mailboxes explaining I have zero interest in what's going on in their back yards, I'm flying to build proficiency, come on out and say hi when you see me flying, here's my phone number, there may even be a free roof inspection in it for you.

 

[Clipper707]

I took the pro-active approach and put a letter in my neighbors' mailbox explaining I have zero interest in what's going on in their back yards, I'm flying to build proficiency, come on out and say hi when you see me flying, here's my phone number, there may even be a free roof inspection in it for you.

Awesome. That's a novel approach. Have any neighbors responded?

 

[tcope]

I took the pro-active approach and put a letter in my neighbors' mailbox explaining I have zero interest in what's going on in their back yards,

Just keep in mind, that this is a federal offence.

 

[FlyerFocus]

Awesome. That's a novel approach. Have any neighbors responded?

It's all been very positive. No complaints at all, and a couple have come out when they see me and have asked questions. I hand them the RC once I have the drone above trees and tell them to fly it only with the right stick all they like. The love it.

 

[tcope]

Shortly after I notice two local police officers at my back gate wanting to know if I was the drone owner.

At leasr this was the correct way for your neighbor to handle the situation. No coming over and yelling, no shooting, etc. If you have a concern about the law, you call the police and have them look into the matter. No harm, no foul. Police did their job in investigation the complaint and everyone seemed very pleasant.

 

[MrJonesDroneFootagez]

I've been flying my p3 around a quarter mile or so up the road from my house to check out some construction going on. Took off yesterday evening to have a another look at the progress, cruised around at about 250-300', snapped a few pics and came home. I then proceeded to the fridge and grabbed a beer and headed back outside to enjoy the 80 degree desert evening[emoji5]and look at the pics I took.

Shortly after I notice two local police officers at my back gate wanting to know if I was the drone owner. I confessed immediately and invited them in. It seems a neighbor up the road reported a 'camera drone' had been hovering over their house spying on them regularly. I explained what I'd been doing, and after checking my FAA registration they told me I was well within my rights and could carry on...one of the officers had a brother-in-law that's a drone enthusiast and he was pretty knowledgeable on the rules and regs of RC flying. He suggested less hovering, more moving, Lol

It felt good to know I'm ok with local law enforcement, but I do wish my paranoid neighbor would have come to me first, I'm known to be a pretty nice guy...occasionally![emoji4]

Thats awesome they took your side

 

[FlyerFocus]

Just keep in mind, that this is a federal offence.

It certainly is. I can hear the SWAT truck out front now. Since you're educating me I'll return the favor. Keep in mind it's an "offense," not an "offence." If you really want to be in compliance with postal regs you can always mail them the letter. Up to you.

 

[Monte55]

Call the burn unit

 

[Clipper707]

It certainly is. I can hear the SWAT truck out front now. Since you're educating me I'll return the favor. Keep in mind it's an "offense," not an "offence." If you really want to be in compliance with postal regs you can always mail them the letter. Up to you.

It's not misspelled if it's the Royal Mail Service that's coming after you.

 

[FlyerFocus]

It's not misspelled if it's the Royal Mail Service that's coming after you.

Not sure I'm in their jurisdiction out here in San Francisco.

 

[ifly2high]

No harm, no foul. Police did their job in investigation the complaint and everyone seemed very pleasant.

Yes sir, I agree. In hindsight, and in the neighbor's defense I suppose they have no idea what kind of person is going to answer the door...
I think I'll abandon the construction site runs for now, plenty of other places to fly, and although the officer said I was good to go, resentment in the hood is not a good idea.