Flight Would Require Written Permission From The Borough's Parks Department

The Borough Council of Chambersburg, PA is considering strong restrictions against flying drones in its public parks.

The council discussed the issue at its regular meeting Monday. The town's recreation advisory committee is recommending that drone operators be prohibited from flying over public parks without the express written consent of the recreation department. The ban is in reaction to citizen concerns that they have a right to be in those parks without being subjected to "unauthorized aerial photography", according ro a report from the Public Opinion newspaper.

The town's law firm Salzmann Hughes P.C. says that the ban would be completely legal. The firm said that federal law allows for local municipalities to adopt policies preventing drone use in pubic parks if such rules do not fall within that municipality's police power and does not conflict with FAA rules.

Borough manager Jeffrey Stonehill said the issue is "evolving. [The] staff suggests that council consider a future where drone aircraft, both commercial and recreational, are prevalent, and decided whether the time is right to be making policies on this subject," he told the paper.

A news release from the town said that "the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' Bureau of State Parks limited drone use and other unmanned aircraft to six designated flying sites within six specific state parks." To date, those regulations have not been challenged.

(Image from file)

FMI: Original report