AGENDA REPORT
Meeting Date: May 20, 2025
Item Number:
To: Honorable Mayor & City Council
From: Mark G. Stainbrook, Chief of Police
Subject: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS PROHIBITING
INTERFERENCE WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT DRONES AND
PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS AND ADDING CHAPTER 13 TO
TITLE 5 OF THE BEVERLY HILLS MUNICIPAL CODE
Attachments: 1. Ordinance
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended the City Council introduce for first reading the proposed “ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS PROHIBITING INTERFERENCE
WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT DRONES AND PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS AND ADDING CHAPTER 13 TO TITLE 5 OF THE BEVERLY HILLS MUNICIPAL CODE” and waive full reading of the ordinance.
INTRODUCTION
Drones have become an ever-increasing addition to law enforcement technology enhancing daily capabilities and safety. The Beverly Hills Police Department operates drones daily and recognizes the possibility of interference with a drone as a tactic to avoid identification in a criminal offense.
DISCUSSION
The Beverly Hills Police Department has been operating drones for the past three and a half years in both Drone as First Responder (DFR) and tactical drone capacities. The program has been highly effective in identifying criminals, reducing response times to emergency calls for service, increasing officer safety, reducing liability, and securing the City.
While there are no known intentional acts to interfere with a law enforcement drone in the City of Beverly Hills, there have been several incidents across the United States E-5
Meeting Date: May 20, 2025
where individuals have attempted to interfere with a law enforcement drone. Recently in Arizona, an individual repeatedly pointed a laser at a local law enforcement drone.
The Federal Aviation Administration has regulations in place regarding interference with a drone, but these regulations do not allow for immediate law enforcement action unless there is a more serious crime.
Adopting this ordinance will provide Beverly Hills Police Officers a tool to take immediate action on individuals interfering with a law enforcement drone.
FISCAL IMPACT
No significant fiscal impact anticipated.
Mark G. Stainbrook,
Chief of Police
Approved By
Attachment 1
-1-
B0785-0001\3070549v1.doc
ORDINANCE NO. 25-O- _____
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS
PROHIBITING INTERFERENCE WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT
DRONES AND PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS AND ADDING
CHAPTER 13 TO TITLE 5 OF THE BEVERLY HILLS MUNICIPAL
CODE
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS HEREBY ORDAINS AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Chapter 13 is hereby added to Title 5 of the Beverly Hills Municipal Code regarding law enforcement drones to read as follows:
“CHAPTER 13. PROHIBITING INTERFERENCE WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT DRONES
5-13-1: DEFINITIONS:
As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise clearly indicates, the words and phrases are defined as follows:
A. "Law Enforcement Drone" refers to any unmanned aerial vehicle, including a drone, that is operated by or under the authority of the City of Beverly Hills Police Department or any other law enforcement agency or the Beverly Hills Fire Department.
B. "Interference" means any action, including but not limited to physical obstruction or intentional jamming, or any other attempt to disrupt, damage, or hinder the operation of a Law Enforcement Drone.
C. "Operator" refers to the individual or entity controlling or directing the operation of a Law Enforcement Drone.
-2-
B0785-0001\3070549v1.doc
5-13-2: PROHIBITED ACTIONS:
A. No person shall Interfere with the operation of a Law Enforcement Drone, including but not limited to:
1. Physically obstructing or damaging a Law Enforcement Drone.
2. Using any device or equipment, including drones, lasers, or other tools, to disrupt, block, or jam signals used by Law Enforcement Drones.
3. Any other act intended to Interfere with the lawful operation of a Law Enforcement Drone.
B. No person shall operate an unmanned aerial vehicle, including a drone, or any other device in such a way that it poses a risk of collision, damage, or Interference with the operation of a Law Enforcement Drone.
5-13-3: PENALTIES:
In addition to other penalties set forth in this Municipal Code or State law, if the Interference with a Law Enforcement Drone results in damage or destruction of the drone, the responsible person shall be liable for the full cost of the repair or replacement of the Law Enforcement Drone.”
Section 2. Severability. If any section, subsection, subdivision, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion of this Ordinance or the application thereof to any person or place, is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by the final decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this Ordinance shall be and remain in full force and effect. .
Section 3. Publication. The City Clerk shall cause this Ordinance to be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation published and circulated in the City within fifteen (15) days after its passage in accordance with Section 36933 of the Government Code, shall certify -3-
B0785-0001\3070549v1.doc
to the adoption of this Ordinance, and shall cause this Ordinance and her certification, together with proof of publication, to be entered in the Book of Ordinances of the Council of this City.
Section 4. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall go into effect and be in full force and effect at 12:01 a.m. on the thirty-first (31st) day after its passage.
Adopted:
Effective:
SHARONA R. NAZARIAN, PSYD
Mayor of the City of Beverly Hills,
California
ATTEST:
_________________________(SEAL)
HUMA AHMED
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM: APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
___________________________ _____________________________ LAURENCE S. WIENER NANCY HUNT-COFFEY
City Attorney City Manager