Drones – The Pros & Cons of using on a Residential Estate

There are many operational Pros to using drones on Estates such as :

• With the Lowering costs of drones, lightweight cameras and state of the art stabilization, they are appealing for use in security operations
• Great for use in emergency response to establish appropriate response measures
• A specified area is defined by programming a drone to follow a specified course using GPS or by a grounded human pilot.
• Mounted with a high-end camera – with some models equipped with thermal technology for night-time –
• and linked to a traditional CCTV system, the drone will live stream video images to a control centre, enabling security personnel to be more proactive than reactive.
• response times are lowered;
• they gain valuable insight into potential threats;
• criminal elements can be tracked;
• and identification of vehicles and criminal individuals is accurate
• Great video surveillance
• Greater chance of information gathering and possible arrest
• Better than a fixed camera as it is mobile
• Can follow suspects and establish the direction they are moving to get additional patrol and arrest support
• Drones coverage in a fraction of the time of a normal response

• Perfect response tool for fence breaches
• Response times in an estate depend on vehicles or golf carts, and some areas are not easily accessible
• Can obtain video surveillance in areas with low light
• Could reduce human resources on theThere is definitely an operational need for drones on Residential Estates. Residents want this type of technology even more so since the recent crisis. However, there are hindrances with this want, and it relates to cost and privacy concerns from residents and Boards. fence lines, although most estates have been doing so already with the implementation of thermals on their fence lines
• Relying on technology is safer than relying on humans
• It can be used for facility inspections, like levels of water at flood gates, sewerage issues, water leaks and flooding

• With the recent crisis, drone usage has come up in conversation more so. The use of drones would undoubtedly assist in establishing threats approaching the Estate or assessing crowds. There is further benefit to using the drone for fence patrols, mainly when limited guarding staff is available. Although we have looked at the pros it appears the cons somewhat outway the pros. There are many hindrances such as:
• Operational controller hindrances
• Possible registrations with South African Civil Aviation Authority if used for commercial use
• Acquire a Remote Pilots Licence (RPL)
• They are not as easy to fly as people think and can take months of practice
• Limited with the interpretation of the laws
• Drones may not be flown 10 kilometres or closer to an airport without special permission from the SACAA.
• Drones weighing more than 7 kilograms (15.4 pounds) may not be flown.
• Drones may not be flown within 50 meters (164 feet) of people or private property (without permission from the property owner). This becomes a problem when looking to fly a drone on a residential estate. It would require consent or approval from all the homeowners.
• Drone pilots must maintain a visual line of contact with their drones while in flight.
• Drones may only be flown during daylight hours.
• Infringement of those, even for hobby drone pilots, can be as severe as a 10-year prison sentence and/or a fine of R50 000.

• The way around this is to contract with a drone service provider. However, they are still limited with restrictions.

We looked at this. However, it becomes tricky as there are costs, and the best option is to join forces with neighbouring estates. There will be operational restrictions and debates on who gets what time slot for patrols.

• Some do offer responses to incidents as a service.
• I am sure the 24/7 service of such an experienced staff person.
• Although some of these companies have been given licensing permission by the national drone regulator to fly over residential areas and roads, they must still follow several strict rules.
• This relates to not flying above 400 feet and asking for homeowners permission before flying over their property. In addition, some Estates homes border on the fence line. Although these companies state that it is not their intention to fly over homes but to concentrate on fence lines, I don’t think this will quite cut it.
• Homeowners Association permissions are required.