Protecting Citizens from Drone Harassment with Counter-Drone Technology

A family in Virginia experienced persistent drone harassment, with the drone flying over their property at low altitudes and following family members, including children, as they moved between buildings. This intrusion not only violated their privacy but also posed a significant safety threat, leading the family to live in fear and alter their daily activities.

The Virginia State Police assisted the Rockingham County Sheriff’s office, leveraging Dedrone’s counter-drone technology to investigate the case. A DedroneRapidResponse trailer was brought to the scene by the Virginia State Police in collaboration with the Virginia Public Safety Innovation Center to detect and track the drone as well as determine the drone’s Remote Identification number (akin to a drone’s license plate). This information enabled investigators to trace the drone back to its operator.

The DedroneRapidResponse trailer proved instrumental in identifying and apprehending the drone operator by accurately tracking drone activity, establishing patterns of harassment, and directly connecting these activities to the operator. This case demonstrated the critical effectiveness of counter-drone technology in criminal investigations, enabling law enforcement to address modern threats proactively and restoring the affected family's sense of safety and security.