ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A recent report by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office highlights growing concerns over drone threats, drawing from global events and local experiences such as the 2023 PGA Championship.
Sheriff Todd Baxter and Deputy Brodie Egan are working to build a program to counter these potential dangers. The report comes in the wake of incidents during the 2023 PGA Championship in Rochester. “We took down nine drones,” officials said, explaining that the drones were detected in restricted airspace. Operators were found and did comply with orders to leave.
“One was flying too close to the Goodyear blimp and led to a felony conviction,” Baxter said. The charge was 18 U.S. Code § 39B – Unsafe operation of unmanned aircraft. The man, 27-year-old Max Glaser was charged federally.
Sheriff Baxter expressed concerns about the potential misuse of drones. “We look at that and that could have been a whole lot worse,” he said. “Take a blimp out of the sky just because you’re up there playing around. But what if he was up there trying to drop a hand grenade or something like that?”
Deputy Brodie Egan conducted extensive research to identify strengths, opportunities, and threats related to drone use. The report aims to protect the public from emerging threats, such as drones carrying explosives or violating airspace. Deputy Egan noted concerns about drones being used for contraband delivery in other states, though Monroe County hasn’t faced such issues due to the absence of open yards.
He emphasized that the report is not yet public, but an executive summary is in the works. The Sheriff’s Office is working with federal partners to secure funding and prioritize necessary tools to counter drone threats.
Deputy Egan pointed out a change in federal law as of December last year, with the National Defense Authorization Act providing a pathway to mitigate nefarious drone activities. “We’re not worried about the people flying drones in the park,” he said. “We’re worried about the ones that might potentially hurt the public.”
Sheriff’s Office officials stressed the importance of airspace awareness for drone operators. “We want to make sure we’re prepared for the criminal use and also the terrorist use of drones,” they said, noting that while there are no current threats, they aim to stay vigilant.
Sheriff Baxter also mentioned the new RIOC Center as a positive step but emphasized the need for additional tools to mitigate the criminal use of drones. The sheriff’s office plans to review the report and secure federal funding for necessary changes. Sheriff Baxter said the full drone report will be released by the end of the month.
READ MORE: Drones, live body cam feeds: Inside Monroe County’s new high-tech crime center – WHEC.com
The county’s drone team, consisting of 13 members, conducted 444 missions last year, showcasing their commitment to maintaining public safety.
MCSO: Plan to enhance public safety in the works after drone report WHEC.com.
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