A drone was spotted flying around apartments in Vancouver Sunday by a local resident with a video camera.
The city is seeing an increasing number of complaints to police from residents about drones flying around their homes, according to CTV News. The automated aircraft was captured on video by resident Conner Galway as it flew near his downtown high-rise and came within a few feet of his window.
"I didn't want to be out there when I had no idea what this thing was," Galway said on Monday. "And so we went back inside and thought 'that was strange,' and we moved on."
The machine first started buzzing around while Galway was having dinner on his patio, CBC News reported. He said that drones could be cool at times, but they could raise concerns about privacy.
Vancouver Police said they have received 10 complaints about the aircraft since May. A license is required for commercial use of drones, but recreational users don't need one.
"Since May of this year, we've had a number of complaints - including the latest from the weekend - where it appears that somebody is using this aircraft to fly around apartment buildings," Sgt. Randy Fincham said.
"At this point we don't know if that craft is being used to videotape or view inside those apartments."
The owner of the drone has yet to be identified. Michael Vonn, police director of the BC Civil Liberties Association, said it could be difficult to find the owner, CTV News reported.
"You could sue for invasion of privacy," Vonn said. "But again, probably the drone at your window does not have a business card attached to it saying, 'any complaints please call (this number).' So we have a logistical problem as well as a regulatory problem."
Galway posted the video of the drone on YouTube. Fincham said the drone's user could be charged with voyeurism or criminal harassment once found, CBC News reported.
"We may have to review that in light of flying cameras, and it might be one of those places the law has to evolve to," Vonn said.
