A drone with an unnamed pilot has been flying around Delaware and dropping rolls of cash – up to $100 a time so far – on strangers. Videos of each drop, made "in an effort to spread positivity," are being posted to social media, and the most recent one seems to show a police officer accepting a cash drop with a thumbs-up!
According to the Daily Mail, the drone operator works in IT and goes out during lunch breaks and evenings to make his drops. At first he was using his own money, but he now runs a fund for the cash.
The drops include a roll of money and a card reading "You caught today's drop. Cash inside – it's yours," which goes some way to explaining why this video shows a man initially giving the drone the bird, but, by the end, circumstances have changed.
Wilmington, Delaware, where the pilot is from, had a lot of bad news, so he saw the drone as a means to spread a better feeling.
"Hopefully, [the cash drop] inspires people to be more kind to each other and spread kindness in their own way." he told The Mail.
I have to admit that, while it's a lovely story, and certainly nicer to hear about than the multiple gun crimes which have affected the area, I worry a little about how the regulators might see all the flying over people!
In one of the videos posted he admits in the caption, "the wind caught it and carried it away from [the originally intended target]. Somebody else spotted it first and intercepted the drop."
It ends up being a story showing two attempts and two pleased recipients, but it also highlights the risks.
For now, though, it doesn't seem like every police officer will be that worried – if this new clip is as real as it looks.
This was posted after the Mail's interview, and it appears to show a patrol officer receiving a cash drop from the drone.
"This drop happened to find someone with a badge." said the post's caption, and, though it went on to thank first responders, the rules might see it a little differently!
Even if it is not receiving a bribe – which would be a felony – it might be seen as an effort to discourage the officers from investigating.
All a police officer would be required to do in a drone incident is help the FAA find the name of the drone operator, but for someone intentionally anonymous that might be something they'd like to discourage?
It's certainly problematic, if not actually illegal. And it's not the only concern some have raised.
There have also been a number of comments suggesting that the drops seem to often be aimed at students rather than those more in need.
"Why u only do on campus lol u gotta come to the apartments🤣🤣🤣"
A scan through the 302 Cashcopter feed suggests that this is being addressed.
Some, too, might find the idea of identifying people as "in need" just from aerial video as somewhat prejudiced, but the comments are lapping it up.
If you're interested in getting in the air yourself, check out my guide to the best drone for beginners.
