Decatur debating rules for drones in city parks

DECATUR, Ill. (AP) - The city of Decatur is debating rules for the use of drones in parks.

Chief Park Ranger Ed Culp told a park district board meeting Wednesday that his main concerns were possible criminal use of drones and district liability in the event that someone were injured by one of the devices.

He mentioned, as a hypothetical example, a sex offender using a drone to secretly film children in a park.

Culp said options could include a ban in public parks or requiring a permit, which would allow drones for things like photographing weddings and other events.

The (Decatur) Herald & Review reports (http://bit.ly/1YiS22c ) that the park district will consult with police and the county sheriff's office and present a recommendation to the board.

___

Information from: Herald & Review, http://www.herald-review.com