Radio Roundtable: Worcester Crime Statistics, Police Body Cameras, and Amazon Drones

Amazon’s Prime Air service uses electric drones to deliver eligible lightweight packages to customers’ homes. Its MK30 drone can travel up to 7.5 miles from a delivery center. At the delivery location, it checks for obstacles and descends to approximately 13 feet before releasing the package, without landing. Prime Air Drone Delivery

Why is it being discussed locally?

Amazon has proposed a Prime Air delivery center at 64 Otis Street in Westborough. The town announced a September community briefing about the proposal. A proposed delivery center should not be confused with an operating service or final approval. Westborough, MA

Do the drones have cameras?

Yes. Amazon says cameras and sensors help the drones navigate and avoid people, pets, vehicles, trees, and other obstacles. The company says the camera feeds are not watched live by people. However, its drone privacy notice acknowledges that cameras may record overhead video of people and objects near delivery or landing locations. “Not watched live” does not mean “never recorded.” Prime Air Drone Delivery

What does that mean for residential privacy?

A camera-equipped drone may encounter homes and yards belonging to people who have never ordered a drone delivery. That raises questions about what images are captured, whether they are saved, who can access them, and when they are deleted.

Those are questions residents can reasonably ask. The presence of navigation cameras alone does not establish that Amazon is intentionally conducting surveillance of households.

Can homeowners or towns prohibit flights?

The FAA controls aviation safety and airspace use. A homeowner’s objection does not automatically prohibit an otherwise lawful flight, and broad municipal drone bans can conflict with federal authority.

But federal oversight does not eliminate every property or privacy protection. The FAA recognizes potential state and local authority over privacy, harassment, land use, and operations immediately above property that substantially interfere with its use and enjoyment. The legality depends on the specific conduct and restriction. faa.gov

Does FAA approval settle privacy concerns?

No. The FAA says it does not regulate privacy, although applicable local privacy laws may govern drone operations. Flight authorization and protection of residents’ personal information are separate issues. Federal Aviation Administration

Questions residents should ask

• What footage is recorded, and does it include neighboring properties?
• How long is footage retained, and who can access it?
• Can noncustomers request privacy protections?
• What flight frequency, operating hours, and noise levels are expected?
• How will residents report complaints or incidents?

In Massachusetts, the homeowner could face criminal charges, even though the drone is hovering over his own yard. Which charges apply depends on intent, whether the broom hits, and whether it causes damage.

The Massachusetts provisions address property damage and criminal attempts. The federal statute carries a maximum of 20 years, but that is a statutory ceiling, not a prediction of the sentence for throwing a broom. malegislature.gov

“It was over my property” is not an automatic defense. A low-hovering drone could itself raise legitimate privacy or property-rights issues, particularly if it substantially interferes with use of the deck. Those concerns do not automatically authorize damaging it. www.faa.gov

An actual, immediate threat of physical injury could change the legal analysis. Simply being annoyed, disturbed, or concerned about a camera is a different situation. The practical response is to document the hovering and report it, rather than throw something that could bring the drone down.