A new law could effect the flight of drones in Rockland County. Could other ares of the Hudson Valley potentially follow suit?

Legislator Jay Hood Jr. drafted the measure after a local sheriff expressed concerns over reports about drones being used to smuggle drugs, knives, guns, and contraband into jails. Lohud.com reports that under Rockland's law, drones would be limited to the user's private property, and private or public property with permission of the property owner. The law also prohibits the use of drones within 100 feet of the jail, schools, government buildings, or places of worship. Police, fire and emergency service agencies however would still be free to fly the drones.

Not all are sure about the new legislation. County Executive Ed Day is putting the bill under surveillance for the next few weeks. He has 21 days from June 17 to decide whether to veto the measure, sign it or let it go into law without his signature. County Attorney Thomas Humbach said the law could have unintended consequences such as applying to not only drones but anything that flies via remote control.

Under the law, offenders would be fined $250 the first time, and a second offense would cost you $500. Anyone who violates the law three times within a year or more than three times within two years would face up to a $1,000 fine and up to one year in jail.

Anyone flying a drone within 100 feet of a school, house of worship, county jail or sheriff and government complex would face up to $500 in fines and up to six months in jail.

 

 

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