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Vallone calls for drone regulation

By Juan Soto

City Councilman Paul Vallone (D-Bayside) wants to restrict the use of drones and establish no-fly zones for the devices.

The lawmaker introduced a bill that would ban the use of drones within a 5-mile ratio of the city’s airports, unless the operator has the authorization from the airport and air traffic control, and within a quarter mile of schools, houses of worship and hospitals.

The legislation would also ban the use of unmanned flying objects for surveillance or to carry weapons or dangerous instruments.

“Drone technology is rapidly advancing and quickly becoming more available and affordable,” Vallone said. The city, he pointed out, “can regulate drones now without waiting for the Federal Aviation Administration to update federal regulations or for a tragedy to happen.”

Last summer, a drone almost collided with a NYPD helicopter flying over the George Washington Bridge. And other near-misses were reported by pilots of passenger carriers approaching Kennedy Airport.

There was also a drone spotted around the Queensboro Bridge.

“I believe this bill takes a pragmatic and comprehensive approach to regulating unmanned aerial vehicles and will ultimately make our city safer,” Vallone said. “The unchecked growth has spurred significant security and privacy concerns as well as resulted in many close-call incidents with commercial and city air traffic.”

The use of these objects is resulting, the lawmaker said, “in the rampant proliferation of drones in the city’s airspace.”

Council members Elizabeth Crowley (D-Middle Village), Karen Koslowitz (D-Forest Hills), Mark Weprin (D-Oakland Gardens), Julissa Ferreras (D-East Elmhurst) and Peter Koo (D-Flushing), among others, signed the bill as co-sponsors.

The bill does not affect the operation of these devices by city agencies. The legislation also calls for restriction on the times, locations and altitudes at which the drones can be operated. For instance, the bill prohibits the use of these flying objects at any altitude beyond 400 feet above ground level.

Vallone said his office has been working closely and getting input from the Queens district attorney.

If the City Council passes the bill, violators of the new guidelines face fines of up to $1,000 and a year in prison.

And last month, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) called on the FAA to regulate the use of commercial drones because of the near-misses between the small flying objects and passenger planes at JFK.

The legislator said, “It is clear that commercial drone use has crossed over from unregulated to potentially deadly.”

Reach reporter Juan Soto by e-mail at jsoto‌@cngl‌ocal.com or by phone at (718) 260–4564.