Is new Florida law not helpful in protecting public from drones?

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla.- Lawyers say a new Florida law that is suppose to protect the public from drones is nearly impossible to enforce.

More drones are popping up in Collier County. One was spotted on Cooper Drive in Naples just this week. The man who spotted it called 911.

“It’s back again and I want it stopped,” the caller told the 911 operator.

The man thought it was suspicious and the Collier County Sheriff’s helicopter tracked it back to its owner.

Turns out, it was just a hobbyist at the controls.

“There was a burglary in a home nearby so I can understand the concern,” said Dave, the drone owner, who preferred to only be identified by his first name.

There have been five recent complaint calls out of the same area of Naples involving drones.

In May, Governor Rick Scott signed a bill into law giving private citizens the ability to protect themselves from drones recording pictures or video without permission.

“The new law that was signed into effect by Governor Rick Scott doesn’t have any criminal penalties,” said attorney Zachary Cantor with Viacava and Cantor Law Firm in Fort Myers.

So if you call deputies on a drone owner, authorities’ hands are tied. But under the law, it does gives the public the option to sue.

“You would have to prove damages which is going to be a difficult hurdle in most circumstances,” said Cantor. “The law probably makes people feel better about privacy in relation to drones. But as to what the law is actually going to do, it doesn’t have the sharpest teeth.”

Another thing to remember, if a drone is flying over your home you cannot grab it, shoot or destroy it. If you do, you could be facing criminal charges, including criminal mischief.

There are separate rules and criminal charges involving drones with they fly higher than 400 feet. This protects aircrafts and helicopters.