Drones employed in legal exercises are spurring bipartisan demands for enhanced surveillance capabilities and countermeasures.
In early February, law enforcement officials from Marlboro County, South Carolina, responded to a series of incidents that garnered local and national attention. Authorities arrested two individuals and seized a substantial quantity of medication and multiple cellphones after intercepting a package allegedly dropped by a drone hovering above the Evans Correctional Establishment in Bennettsville.
The latest drone-related incident underscores the growing need for lawmakers to pass legislation granting authorities the power to effectively detect and potentially intercept unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) operated by malicious actors.
D.J. Smith, senior technical surveillance agent and unmanned aerial and counter-UAS techniques program coordinator for the Virginia State Police, emphasized that Congress should at minimum enact laws enabling state and local law enforcement agencies to utilize advanced detection capabilities, specifically decoding the radio signals exchanged between a drone and its pilot.
Authorization to operate such UAS systems is outlined in the Home Inspection section, part of the broader suite of counter-UAS legislation awaiting congressional action.
Currently, law enforcement agencies can utilize the DJI Aeroscope system to detect and analyze DJI-branded drones by tracking and examining their digital signals, thereby permitting effective monitoring. However, they lack a comparable capability to perform similar evaluations on non-DJI drone systems.
While technically feasible, it’s likely that we could capture 70-80% of the market share with DJI Aeroscope or Aerial Armor, a cyber-sanitized variant of this technology. As a covert surveillance expert, Smith noted that the challenge lies in monitoring and classifying the opposing UASs, as they cannot be tracked or categorized.
The increasing number of incidents involving drones flying in areas where they have no right to be – such as over prisons, critical infrastructure like dams and power plants, and packed stadiums – has sparked a rare bipartisan effort in Congress to enhance local control over drone traffic.
“It’s widely agreed across party lines.” All parties seem to concur that one essential development must take place, according to him.
In April 2022, the Biden administration released the National Counter UAS (Drone) Strategy, which outlined a comprehensive approach to addressing and mitigating malicious drone activities. Many current legislative proposals are built upon this conceptual framework.
We would develop a pilot program to enable a select cohort of state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) law enforcement agencies to take swift action “necessary to mitigate an imminent threat” posed by rogue drones. Would the proposed invoice facilitate increased economic cooperation between the United States and another country? The lawyer is authorized to select up to 12 eligible SLTT companies to participate in the pilot program during its initial phase, with additional designations made annually thereafter, capping participation at a total of up to 60 companies over the five-year duration of the pilot program.
The invoice would further empower the establishment of a federally maintained database, allowing for the real-time sharing of information related to security-related incidents involving UAS and associated technologies among federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies.
Smith argues that creating a comprehensive database documenting every drone incursion incident across the country is crucial for building a national counter-drone safety framework. Currently, we are not utilizing drones to monitor incidents. “The tragic events of 9/11 served as a stark reminder that minor issues can cumulatively create a much broader picture if left unchecked.”
A professional editor’s improvement:
While he provided an example of a drone pilot in California being caught for illegally operating a drone over a nuclear power plant or a dam, He claimed it seemed harmless at the moment, but perhaps a week later, or earlier, he was actually at a Virginia nuclear power plant capturing footage on camera. While appearing distinct, these two events could collectively pose a more significant threat to safety.
“With malicious drone threats on the rise, Oakland County, Michigan Sheriff Michael Bouchard warned that a swift and effective response is crucial.”
As head of presidential affairs for the Main County Sheriffs of America, a representative organization comprising the nation’s most prominent sheriff’s offices, Bouchard expressed his opinion that state and local law enforcement agencies should possess counter-drone authority on par with federal entities such as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Defense (DOD).
“When circumstances dictate otherwise, this tool is reserved for instances where employees are engaging in illegal or harmful practices.” “We’re not concerned with amateur enthusiasts or individuals operating within the bounds of regulatory guidelines.”
Congress has yet to move with sufficient haste in enacting counter-drone legislation, according to Bouchard, who believes the pace of progress is lagging behind the rapidly evolving drone threat.
“We view this issue as a pressing and significant concern that requires immediate attention,” said Bouchard. The notion that NFL football video games should discontinue operations because of a drone flight is misguided and unfounded. Major outdoor concert events should discontinue operations in light of ongoing drone incursions.
Despite progress, some medical helicopter flights have been unexpectedly halted due to the reckless actions of either unaware or intentional drone operators.
“While many acknowledge the problem’s significance and urgency, they’re unfortunately dragging their feet in implementing meaningful solutions.” “In retrospect, I believe Congress will convene hearings within two years, lamenting ‘What didn’t we do sooner to prevent this catastrophe?’ By taking proactive measures now, we can forestall a similar tragedy from unfolding.”
According to Smith’s Congressional sources, it is highly improbable that any counter-drone authorization legislation will come to fruition this year. “I’m unlikely to receive funding, given the financial constraints and other payment commitments,” he said. They’re suggesting that a resolution might resurface in the first quarter of next year and receive congressional consideration.
He believes that comprehensive detection legislation will take precedence over any further drone mitigation measures in the near future. While he acknowledges that increased regulatory hurdles may not immediately yield desired results, he believes that any effort aimed at enhancing law enforcement’s capabilities to effectively patrol and monitor aerial activities is a crucial initial step.
“Federal authorities should efficiently roll out expanded authorities to state and local transportation agencies, providing necessary infrastructure support and financial assistance, thereby laying the groundwork for successful air mobility projects and bolstering national security.”
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As Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE, Miriam McNabb leads the publication’s editorial team while simultaneously serving as CEO of JobForDrones, a prominent marketplace for drone services. With an insatiable curiosity about the burgeoning drone industry and its evolving regulatory landscape, she remains a keen observer of these developments. Miriam has authored more than 3,000 articles focusing on the industrial drone sector, establishing herself as a globally recognized authority in the field and a sought-after speaker within the industry. With a degree from the University of Chicago, Miriam boasts over two decades of experience in high-tech sales and marketing for innovative technologies.
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