JTN: Can government use warrantless drone surveillance to enforce zoning rules?
An appeal filed with the Michigan Supreme Court says the government must get a warrant before it can surveil private property for evidence.
The Institute for Justice, a public interest law firm, says the government violated the Fourth Amendment when it used warrantless drone surveillance to snap pictures of Todd Maxon’s 5-acre property in Long Lake Township where he repairs cars, as proof of zoning violations. more
Once again the gov’t does whatever it wants to the people while the people have 10k pages of rules and regulations to follow. And don’t let your drone get over 400 ft. or near a gov’t facility.
Note that it doesn’t say, “This only applies to criminal cases. In civil cases the govt can do any damned thing it wants to, so BOHICA.”
Government bureaucrats are going to adopt the 21 foot rule (since guns won’t need it anymore) to apply to their drones: Any government surveillance performed at 21 feet or higher will be legal!
Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
The State will claim it is not unreasonable to enforce whatever they want to in any manner they want to.
Pull !!!!
DOA. Plain View Doctrine.
Many years ago I heard a rumor that the city of LA was using aerial photos to find illegally built structures.
Something tells me the drone search for zoning violations won’t be taking place in the “inner city”. And how about the “zoning violations” of camping and shitting on the sidewalks? Don’t need a drone to find THOSE violators.
I’ve got loads and loads of bird shot.
Put in a rock formation of the mono digital salute.
Hell I’ve been spying on the govs behalf for …. well since forever. And heres a tissue for those who need it,🤣