LOUISA/FT.GAY — Drone activity in Louisa, KY and Fort Gay, WV has local residents talking about the use of drones by police in both towns.
On October 10 Mayor Harold Slone asked for the public’s help on his Facebook Page to acquire the use of a drone to address the ongoing traffic problems at Louisa East Elementary School on Jefferson Street and Lock Ave. during school pickup times.
The traffic pattern there has been an issue of discussion for some time now. Parents picking up their children end up blocking these streets forming a one way traffic pattern. This prevents Emergency Personnel from being able to access homes in and around the area. Not to mention the home owners having limited or no access to use the roads during these times.
In Fort Gay, WV drones from Freeman Kelly Dronography have been posted to Mayor Joetta Hatfield’s FaceBook page showing downtown Fort Gay. She has not stated what the video will be used for.
The use of drones and the invasion of privacy concerns grow for some citizens who are concerned of how closely these drones can come to a home and how the town or public will use them.
Some citizens are endorsing the use of drones to aid the Police Departments in their investigations. Other citizens are concerned that drones will be able spy on them invading their sense of privacy and having access to inappropriate photos or videos.
What do you think?
I say we use them !! They are a great tool dor th police and other departments!! If your nog doing anything illegal why would you worey about rhem ?
It’s a 4th and 5th amendment issue. We’ve given up to much freedom due to the patriot act and other such laws. Law enforcement shouldn’t use them. Too much of a slippery slope. EMS should get them for search and rescue. If the mayor’s office wants to monitor traffic patterns cool.
I think it could help police and law enforcement, but there should be rules. Privacy fences are put up for reasons. Someone may like to sit outside in their backyard in their pj’s with coffee without fear of it being on face book that evening. A bbq with family and friends should be private as well. It’s not anyone business that it took place or who was attendance. Privacy should be maintained. Our freedoms is what people have died for in this country.
Why would you be scared if you have nothing to hide.
I think that drones can provide a wonderful perspective of our community especially for tourism. We also post drone footage on our Tourism Website as well as our Trail Town FB page because the video footage shows aspects of our community that regular photographs cannot…
It all about our right to privacy. Some don’t care about their rights some do. Personally I care about my rights and no I don’t have anything to hide.
I don’t have a issue with the request because it’s for evidence of the traffic issue not anyone’s personal property and if you go to google maps it invades privacy more then these photos do ,
I knew I’d see the “if you’ve got nothing to hide” comments. This is America. Like it or not, we don’t need to be hiding anything to have a reasonable expectation of privacy.
On my property I own from the bottom of hell to the top of heaven, unless you have a warrant, then don’t fly too low over anyone’s property. What if they’re walking around naked, lol??? We can’t let our privacy become someone else’s business, what I do on my land is my business, no warrants, no fly zone. Drones will get shot out of the air by some old country boy, how would he know it was a police drone or a nosey neighbor, or some perverted sicko??? I can’t believe some folks in this country are ok with drones flying over their private property. I don’t have a problem with drones being used with a warrant, searching for the lost, or highway use, but this is getting out of hand. Another thing, why do you need drones to fix the traffic at the school, don’t you have eyes and common sense? Ridiculous, lol.
It is easier to show what the problem at the school is with a drone shot because you can show several streets at one time. The people who would be approving the grant aren’t from Louisa and have never seen the problem for themselves. So yes those of us from Louisa do understand the problem without needing a drone so your sarcastic comment wasn’t needed….. But as I am sure you have heard before, a picture is worth a thousand words and this picture may be worth a few thousand dollars to help correct the situation.
How did people solve problems like the traffic around the school before having a drone? Google earth would also have a clear view of the school. Who has to pay for the drone footage? I don’t care if a drone is used to alleviate the problem. I’m just saying that it can be fixed without a drone,. Sorry I offended you or anybody else.
Louisa PD does not have/use/own drones.
When I got my drone I read where it is illegal to fly over or around school properties, hospitals, federal buildings, airports, fires where the fire department is located, etc. without written permission from the institution unless they are emergency personnel. So how can just anyone legally fly over or around the schools without permission from the board office unless the police are doing it or are having it done??
DH
Nothing to hide, so let them fly!!!