HUNTINGTON BEACH – The city’s popular July 4th parade will be a “no-drone zone,” police reminded the public on Friday.

There will be several flyovers by Huntington Beach 1, the city’s police helicopter, during and after the parade. Authorities are also anticipating many airplanes towing banners over the route and along the coast.

“We have had several calls throughout the last few years of drones interfering with the police helicopter,” Sgt. Jennifer Marlatt said. “Because a drone can easily bring down a plane or helicopter and the close calls HB1 has had, we don’t want to risk anyone’s safety.”

Any interference from drones during the parade could result in a fine or arrest, the statement says.

The statement about the no-drone zone, released by police on Friday, was actually just a reminder.

In fact, flying drones in Huntington Beach is largely illegal year-round as the Federal Aviation Administration prohibits their use within five miles of an airport or helipad without prior authorization. And Huntington Beach airspace is virtually blanketed with “nodrone zones” because of overlapping heliports and regional airports, the sergeant said.

“Anywhere you are in Huntington Beach you are going to be within five miles of a heliport,” she said. “So it’s illegal to fly a drone here.”

Contact the writer: 714-796-7802 or jsudock@ocregister.com