Drone seized by police at Los Angeles park

Los Angeles has the following law for parks: "No person shall land, release, take off or fly any balloon, except children toy balloons not inflated with any flammable material, helicopter, parakite, hang glider, aircraft or powered models thereof, except in areas specifically set aside therefor." http://www.laparks.org/venice/pdf/lamc63.pdf A compliant by the US Navy led to the seizure of a drone and citation under this law. It's important to note this operator attracted attention after he flew over a police parking lot and city attorneys advised police no laws were broken. http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-lapd-civilian-drone-hollywood-lot-20140801-story.html

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  • The LA Port Police sent me a PDF that includes a statement they emailed to CBS:

    The PDF with arrest summary, training material, and statement to CB...

    "Los Angeles Port Police arrested two persons on misdemeanor charges in separate instances on Aug 6th and Aug. 

    7th. The individuals were operating hobbyist-level unmanned aircraft systems (UAS or "drones") in an area restricted
    under Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 64.33{B)(8). Both individuals were standing in a public parking lot and flying a
    drone over the Navy vessels berthed to the north of Battleship IOWA. Both men were charged under local LAMC section
    64.33(B)(8). The Port Police seized the drones and booked them into evidence as part of their investigation and in the
    event that Federal authorities seek a warrant to search any data stored on the drones or related equipment.
    Specifically, LAMC section 64.33(B)(8) restricts this activity: liB. Within the limits of any park or other City-owned
    Harbor Department designated and controlled property within the City of Los Angeles: (Amended by Ordnance No.
    174,737, effective September 9,2002.); and further states that, "8. No person shall land, release, take off or fly any
    balloon, except children toy balloons not inflated with any flammable material, helicopter, parakite, hang glider, aircraft
    or powered models thereof, except in areas specifically set aside therefore."
    We encourage the public to visit the LA Waterfront at the Port of Los Angeles, and photography is generally allowed
    during public events. But City Municipal Code restricts the operation of model aircraft in any city park or Harbor
    Department (Port) property. Because the use of non-commercial unmanned aircraft is growing in popularity, the port
    will be posting signs to educate and remind visitors that they should not fly aircraft in the Port district or any parks here
    or elsewhere in the city."

    I was unaware of a separate arrest occurring the next day. Sounds like flying over the boats means arrest/seizure no matter what. 

  • The officers were more than patient with him.  If he had just sad, sorry and walked away he would probably kept his drone and not received a ticket.  

  • Ten bucks says if he would have immediately pulled out his ID, turned off his camera, used sir a couple times, explained what he was doing and explained he didn't realize there there was an ordinance they would have let him walk with his Phantom. 

  • Mmm, almost always Phantoms, we need more guys like this.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIXwQVFt8Ho

  • It's a bummer that anything a guy flies with a remote control is now labeled a UAV/Drone. If this was several years ago he'd be yelled at to go somewhere else to fly his toy. get permission to fly where you fly or stay in the hobby field....Ugh! Killing me! LOL

  • Regulations are coming. The growing number of idiots like this guy make it inevitable. 

  • Developer

    LMFAO @ 13:00 "Lithium Neon". Yet another example of a dude who buys a cheap out-of-thw-box drone and suddently he's a pain in the ass to the police.

  • litheum neon?

    i facepalmed SOOOOO HARD

    stupid fing phantom pilot

    whats with the helmet?

    MORON

  • pretty irresponsible flying over people and war ships!

  • 100KM

    Tim,   If you are in San Pedro at the waterfront you are at greater risk of having one of those 3.6 kg brown pelicans pass away in mid flight and crash into you, than you are from a 1.2kg phantom drone with a GoPro.

    I am not too concerned about tripods, nor is anyone else.   That is my point .  I am not concerned about tripods or small personal drones under 2kg or so, nor should anyone else be.   The 1.2kg phantom has about the same weight as a duck.    Who's afraid of ducks or geese in our parks?   

    Small drones are a useful personal tool and less risky than many other things in our parks, like ducks, geese, pelicans, weedwackers, edgers, mowers and automobiles.   

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