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Key West Official Worried About Camera Drones During Fantasy Fest

Vivid Aerial Media

While the FAA wrestles with regulating the use of camera-equipped drones, Key West City Commissioner Jimmy Weekley says the Southernmost City has a special reason to act fast: Fantasy Fest.

The festival, happening at the end of October each year, sends tens of thousands of people onto the streets of Key West, many of them scantily clad or merely body-painted. It's already hugely popular with photographers and Weekley foresees chaos, or worse.

"All we need is one little episode of somebody using a drone the city could be held liable for," Weekley said.

Last week the commissioner, who represents the Old Town historic district, proposed an ordinance that would require registration of all camera-carrying drones -- and prohibit them from operating over occupied parks, sporting events, special events, commercial and residential areas. It provided for exceptions for law enforcement and recording images of a single property with written permission, like for a real estate listing.

The proposal drew widespread objections from film companies -- and failed to get support from Weekley's fellow commissioners. He plans to bring a revised version back at the next commission meeting Tuesday, Sept. 16.

Michael Cates, owner of Vivid Aerial Media, said Weekley's original proposal "effectively prohibits flying in the entire city of Key West." His company uses unmanned aerial vehicles to shoot videos like The Florida Keys From Above.

Cates said no one should expect privacy in public areas like parks or beaches.

"There are webcams all over this town," he said. "Using a UAV to hold a camera or a video camera is just an extension of the person taking the picture, like a tripod."

The county's airport director and a representative from the FAA are expected to attend the next city commission meeting to offer their input on the city's proposed rules.

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