FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Local law enforcement was checking out some new software at the Broward Convention Center on Wednesday that could help them neutralize what they call “dangerous” drones in hopes of keeping the public safe.
The technology is essentially counter drone software, and with it, law enforcement can track, identify and even bring down a drone that is operating illegally.
“Drones are the way of the future, getting things done, but there is also bad in that,” said Mike Riggio, Safer Watch’s Executive Director of Public Safety.
While we’ve seen drones used for surveillance of large crowds, ariel footage of sporting events and tracking down criminals, drones, we’ve learned, can also be used irresponsibly and even criminally when in the wrong hands.
“Deliver weapons, contraband, make attacks on populations in certain areas,” said Riggio.
On Wednesday, Riggio presented new technology to state and local law enforcement that has the capability of detecting, tracking and identifying drones that are unauthorized to fly in certain air spaces.
Technology, Riggio says, is a necessity in today’s day and age.
“When these drones go up, most agencies are not equipped to even know they are there,” he said.
And if a threat is found, the software is capable of mitigation.
“Mitigation means taking over that drone and taking it down safely and mak(ing) sure no one beneath it gets hurt, and if it has a weapon or explosive, put it in a safe area where the right people can get to it,” said Riggio.
But there are limitations to taking down a drone, with most states only allowing federal agencies to do that.
That said, local law enforcement from the Broward Sheriff’s Office, and the Fort Lauderdale and Miami Beach police departments are seeing if their agencies could benefit from the cutting edge technology to tackle these airborne criminals.
“Technology has caught up with you and we are coming to get you,” said Riggio.
Because this is cutting-edge technology, law enforcement is still doing their own research to see if the tool is right for them.
Most departments Local 10 News’ Roy Ramos spoke with say they could utilize this in a number of different ways.
As of Wednesday, only in the state of Louisiana can local law enforcement tap into a drone and bring it down. In all other states, only federal agencies can do that.