Letter to the Editor: Oil Refinery Accident Shows Why Drone Ban is Needed in Ocean City

Dear Editor,

In the absence of any rules or regulations from the federal or state governments, who else but the local government can protect the safety and privacy rights of Ocean City citizens from drones?

Specifically, Mayor Gillian has stood firm against council members who believe that owning and operating a drone is the latest addition to the Bill of Rights. This new “ right” according to the noises made by Masters Hartzell and DeVlieger makes the Fourth Amendment irrelevant.

Then on November 18, the Universe provides an event to show the wisdom of the mayor’s stance and the silliness of those trying to undermine it.

A man operating his drone near the Phillips Refinery in Elizabeth, NJ was confronted by a security guard. He was told that drones weren’t allowed near the refinery. As the man attempted to land his drone, it crashed into a petroleum truck. The man gathered up the pieces of his drone and quickly drove away. He is now the subject of a police search.

Just imagine if this drone was loaded with explosives!

My question to our non-stop philosophizing Councilman Hartzell is how many positive Drone applications would neutralize a single innocent person’s death or even injury. Since Mr. Hartzell brought up the wonderful Wonderland video shot by a Drone as a reason to allow them, he must know the answer.

Sincerely yours,

Steven Fenichel, MD