In the Police Chief Magazine Tech Talk feature titled “Multilayered Police Event Security,” Yaniv Mendelson, Director of Business Development, Echodyne, and Robert Tabbara, CEO of AirSight, explain why unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are becoming a dangerous weapon in the hands of malicious actors who want to wreak havoc at large events. Affordable and easily accessible, the small, agile aircraft could usher in a new generation of crime at public events such as sports matches, Mendelson warns.
Recent events already point to the growing threat of drone incidents at large scale public events. National Football League (NFL) Commissioner Roger Goodell addressed the U.S. Congress in December 2024 to warn of the risks of unauthorized drones flying near stadiums.
“Whether they are acting out of malice or just have a penchant for mischievousness, individuals are using these easy-to-procure aircraft to break the rules, cause delays in games, and spread panic.”
Read the full article in the Tech Talks column for Police Chief Magazine, with analysis of the steps law enforcement need to take to deal with this emerging threat here.
