REDWOOD CITY —A new drone detection program has identified potential risky flights as San Mateo County officials scan the skies for the unmanned craft.
In the last 90 days, 525 drones flew near the Youth Services Center in San Mateo, which includes a juvenile detention center. Of those identified, 10 flew too close to the facility, according to officials.
"Drones are very good at flying over physical barriers such as fences, getting through locked gates and they could be used to drop contraband into the Youth Service Center," said John Eaton, president of Eaton and Associates, Enterprise IT Solutions in Burlingame.
Unlike the San Mateo County Jail for adults, which is enclosed, the youth center has open yards, making it possible for drones to enter the facilities.
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Eaton and Associates is conducting the information project with San Mateo County to capture data, such as the number of flights, types of drones used and the time spent in proximity to critical infrastructure.
"We can't take down a drone. The FAA regulations need to catch up with drone technology," adds Eaton.
When drones are detected, government officials can contact a drone pilot in real time.
The Palo Alto Airport, the San Carlos Airport and San Francisco International are all looking at drone detection technologies.