Negron is 100% correct! Government has no right to peep into your yard or spy on you without a warrant, to do so is an invasion of privacy and an outright abuse of power. Sure eventually they "might" catch someone doing something that maybe illegal but they'll also certainly be oggling your wife or even worse daughter sunbathing by the pool! If they reasonably suspect a pot patch that may be visible from the air they certainly can take the time to get a judge to issue a warrant. What other possible reasons would anyone want to spy into your backyard for?

Bulldog,
You really can thank the Patriot Act for this. Just like all your text messages, emails, phone calls, internet searches, etc... It's just more of the same that has become legal since 2001.

With about every law enforcement agency in the state working on the shoe string of a tight budget, how can they afford such sophisticated equipment at the taxpayer's expense?

Hi Joe, according to the Orlando Sentinel, Orange County was able to buy two surveillance drones for about $50,000.

What an invasion of privacy... or is that a thing of the past? Drones over Florida??? Sounds like it would make a great title for a song/rap

Horrible waste of our money and an infringement on our personal rights as human beings. Disgusting Big Brother always wanting get up in our business.

So much for the 4th Amendment.

Let's get something straight:

There is no legal or ethical difference between being monitored by an observer in a manned aircraft or via a remotely piloted aircraft (drone). So all the above arguments on privacy grounds are, to some degree, missing the point. Drones are merely a means of carrying out the same surveillance with somewhat greater cost-efficiency. If you want legislation against being monitored from the air by law enforcement (regardless of the means), that's a separate issue that will require a separate effort.

Better hope I don't see one of those in Tampa, would love to practice my long range shooting skills...nosy B-stards.

No sir, The US Govt is not big enough is it? Lets make it bigger, more Govt, more Govt! More laws! More laws! Keep us U.S. citizens in check, Land of the Free. Freedom! Freedom!

What a joke this country has become, keeping us Puppeteers in check...

Does anyone really understand what it costs the taxpayers to have all the crime and drug traffic going on????????? I would say "NO" . What the drones sound like is BIG BROTHER. Well gotta tell ya' I don't mind. I know of to many bad things happening to be apposed to drones. Wake up people, this if for the benefit of honest law abiding citizens!!!!!!!!!!!! And maybe to curtail some of the not so law abiding citizens. SO, guess what, if you are law Abiding , nothing to worry about, not a law abiding citizen, I hope they catch your fanny.................Tired of having tax money corraling you.

No, drones should not be allowed to be used by local and county law enforcement agencies. However, I don't have a problem with drones being used offshore to prevent entry of illegals and drug smugglers and I myself AM a boater. I just don't think they should be used over our homes or cities for that matter.

I don't care....spy on me--don't spy on me. I'm not doing anything wrong--so knock yourself out!

"The agency projects that 30,000 drones could be in the nation’s skies by 2020."

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/feb/7/coming-to-a-sky-near-you/?page=all

Curious.......how many of you are concerned about the innocent men, women and children being slaughtered via drones.........via tax payer money..........in foreign lands?

The President has a kill list and predator drones have done much of the killing......meh........let's have a don't care attitude like Susan.

i think unmanned drones should be banned over Florida, unless they are actually dropping bombs and helping to reduce the human population.

Negron says they are "just surveilling law-abiding Floridians". I want to know how the drones know to surveil only law-abiding Floridians and not surveil criminals.

I have to laugh when I read someone is going to shoot one of these down. Drones come in all sizes. Now figure this.....anything that government is using is so far ahead of what is available to civilian use that it would make your head spin. To give you an example.....just look at this. It's already available for civilian purchase so can you imagine what will be "USED AGAINST US". We can thank both parties going back to the Clinton administration. They are both working for the same objective, to enslave us! Take a look at this and see what is in store for all of us shortly.
http://www.dudeiwantthat.com/gear/gadgets/robot-dragonfly-for-spying-gaming.asp

These drones are being used for evil purposes. Humans cannot be trusted to use honor and integrity with these things. Their use should be banned for all purposes except to rescue people from death. They should not be used for surveillance of innocent people, or for killing innocent people. And they are being used for both. This is unconscionable.

I sometimes wonder if these drones are the flying scorpions mentioned in the book of Revelation.

No I do not support limiting drones, we need as many drones as possible to help in the apprehension of criminals, especially with alarming number of sex offenders re-offending against children EVERYDAY. Also these crazy wacko drivers who hit pedestrians and keep on going,sometimes killing them,anyone who does not support drones or who wants to limit them is either committing crimes or just a paranoid loony tune

When I read the George Orwell novel "1984" back in the day I laughed, thinking that there is no way that America could come to that point. Here I'm now in 2013, facing the possibility of being completely defenseless as giant remote control planes fly over my house and watch my family and I sleep. Ronald Reagan is rolling over in his grave, God help us. Our country is going to hell.

The senator is absolutely right. Drones should be limited. Some of you people who don't mind your privacy being invaded need to think again. EVERYONE is entitled to privacy in their own home. You may think you're a law-abiding citizen, and you may be. However, laws are being established under this current administration that you don't even know about. Freedom is being taking away chip by chip. Doors are being opened for government control. WAKE UP! Think ahead. Why oh why are we sitting back lazily and allowing the government to invade us. The political leaders, including the President, are elected to serve US and represent US......not make us their slaves. The government should be run by the people, not the people run by the government. Too much power hunger in government. Please people, start reading between the lines and study history......stop believing empty promises and stop relying on "everything will be fine", because it won't be fine if our country continues in this direction.

Right On Senator Negron!!! Let the people vote on this, guarantee it won't pass unless the Senator blesses it. God Bless America

Just as long as they're spying on Republicians, it's OK with me.

NO DRONES...

With a court warrant, OK, but not without one.

I agree with Senator Negron! NO DRONES over Florida, or any state for that matter.

We all need a missile defense shield in our backyards. I suppose.

As the President of a Homeowners Association I couldn't stop laughing over this one. Please, please let me be elected to any Board that can afford a Drone. I also loved the comment about Republicans. Yes, we are all evil, aren't we?
-LEL

Nova had a truly fascinating program devoted to drones. For those of you that may have missed the program here is an opportunity to better understand where we are and what the future holds.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/military/rise-of-the-drones.html