Should Local Communities Ban Personal Drones?

Personal drones can be purchased for as little as $50 and are gaining in popularity. (Photo by kevla via Flickr)

A drone flying over Birmingham earlier this week caused a minor stir, but there’s nothing currently prohibiting people from flying private unmanned aerial craft.

That could change, according to a report on hometownlife.com.

David Bloom, who investigated after hearing a sound similar to that made by a swarm of bees, said the drone was flying low and traveling north when he spied it about 7:45 p.m. Monday in the vicinity of Northlawn and Stanley streets.

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Then it “zoomed really high before disappearing,” Bloom told the newspaper.

Related:

• Michigan Bans Use of Drones to Hunt, Fish
• Michigan First in Nation OK’d for Statewide Use of Police Drone

Oakland County Undersheriff Mike McCabe told the newspaper there’s no law against that. Michigan, the first state in the union approved for statewide use of law enforcement drones, also prohibits the use of drones to hunt, fish or harass those who do.

Some communities are considering ordinances that would ban unpiloted aircraft, the newspaper said.

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• Should local communities have the right to regulate the use of personal unmanned aircraft?

Birmingham Police Chief Don Studt said authorities will respond to complaints if drones are disturbing the peace or encroaching on private property. So far, there haven’t been any formal complaints, but because drones are readily available, “I’m sure they’re around,” he said.