MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (Jen French) — It looks like a toy, but for the City of Murfreesboro, it will be a tool.
The FAA has just permitted the city to train to fly its first ever unmanned aircraft.
Murfreesboro IT Director Chris Lilly said it will be for city planning, police and fire.
“In hostage situations, instead of sending someone to view or see what’s going on, we can send USA aircraft up and get a look at the lay of the land so we don’t put police officers in harms way,” Lilly said.
Lilly said the unmanned aircraft could be scout that could spare first responders during house fires and natural disasters.
The drone may also be used when the city plans roads as well as water and sewer lines.
Not everyone sees the plane without a pilot as a carefree convenience.
“My only concern would be privacy issues, like if they were flying over somebody’s backyard and spying on people,”
Laryssa Wilson said, Murfreesboro resident. “But if there was a just cause like marijuana, I could see that.”
People spying on their neighbors is one potential problem some pointed out.
“I know that there are a lot of other people who would use them for improper uses,” James Bond said, Murfreesboro resident said.
The city only has one drone, and for now, employees are only authorized to train.
If council approves of its municipal use, the city will alert neighbors when- and why- the drone is being flown.
“We do not want to invade privacy,” Chris Lilly said.
“We do train for missions and to make sure we complete the mission, not just haphazardly go up to filming everything.”
It’s up to council if the drone takes off for municipal use and if the city will purchase more.
Source: fox17
Murfreesboro Training with Drones
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