Long Island county approves restrictions on drones

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y. (AP) - A Long Island county has voted to restrict camera-bearing drone use by requiring permits to fly them over certain areas and barring flights above beaches in the summer.

Newsday reports the law was approved 15-2 by Suffolk County legislators Tuesday.

The measure bars flights over any county facility without authorization from public works and bans flights over county parks without a permit from the parks department.

The legislation bans flights over county beaches from May 15 to Sept. 15.

Some critics say the law may be unconstitutional and question how it will be enforced.

Democratic Legislator Rob Calarco says the beach ban is a reach because no one in a public place has an expectation of privacy.

The county executive has 30 days to sign or veto the bill.