Drone Sightings Spike in Albany County, Sheriff’s Office Seeks Solution
Albany County Sheriff’s Office Sees Hundreds of Drone Sightings
Hundreds of phone calls, messages, and videos of drones have been flooding the Albany County Sheriff’s Office, causing a significant buzz. According to Sheriff Craig Apple, many of these sightings are of the same drones from different angles, leading the county to take action.
Drone Sightings Bring Vulnerabilities to the Surface
"What it’s done is it’s brought to the surface our vulnerabilities. We’re protected and hardened on the ground but we’re really not protected from things coming above us," described Sheriff Apple.
Drone Sighting at Sheriff’s Office
A drone was spotted above the Albany County Sheriff’s Office just last week, flying in a grid pattern. Sheriff Apple said his team has a fleet of drones for various jobs, but that was not one of them.
Seeking Funding for Drone Detection Equipment
"We’ve been having webinars with certain companies to learn some of the detection equipment that’s out there. I have a company that I will be going to the Legislature for, seeking funding to purchase it," Sheriff Apple said.
NUAIR’s Drone Detection Technology
One such company is NUAIR, which has developed several ways to detect drones for the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority. "We have radar systems that can detect them, we have different RF passive and active sensors that can detect them and then we also have software that generates authorizations so that we know that if we see a drone plus an authorization they they’re authorized," explained CEO Ken Stewart.
Sheriff’s "Umbrella" Solution
Sheriff Apple describes the system he’s looking for as an ‘umbrella’ over the hub of State government. "Not only the ability to disrupt the drone and not let it into our secure space but the ability to pinpoint the lat and long of the operator."
Federal Aviation Administration’s Statement
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) sent NEWS10 the following statement: "The FAA is committed to ensuring the safety and security of our nation’s airports and surrounding areas. We are working closely with law enforcement and other stakeholders to address concerns related to drone activity."
Next Steps for Albany County Sheriff’s Office
The Albany County Sheriff’s Office will be putting this project out to bid soon. Sheriff Apple hopes to have this software ready to use in a couple of weeks.
Conclusion
The recent increase in drone sightings in Albany County has brought to light the vulnerabilities in the county’s security measures. The Sheriff’s Office is taking proactive steps to address this issue by seeking funding for drone detection equipment. The community can expect to see a more secure and efficient response to drone activity in the near future.
FAQs
Q: What is the purpose of the drone detection equipment?
A: The purpose of the drone detection equipment is to identify and track drones in the vicinity of the Albany County Sheriff’s Office, ensuring the safety and security of the area.
Q: Who is providing the drone detection equipment?
A: NUAIR is providing the drone detection equipment, which includes radar systems, RF passive and active sensors, and software that generates authorizations.
Q: What is the expected timeline for implementation of the drone detection equipment?
A: The Albany County Sheriff’s Office expects to have the software ready to use in a couple of weeks.
Q: What is the Federal Aviation Administration’s stance on drone activity?
A: The Federal Aviation Administration is committed to ensuring the safety and security of our nation’s airports and surrounding areas, and is working closely with law enforcement and other stakeholders to address concerns related to drone activity.
