Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) participated in a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing this week focused on defending against the threat of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), also known as drones. The hearing, titled “Defending Against Drones: Setting Safeguards for Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Authorities,” brought together experts and law enforcement officials to discuss legislative gaps and solutions in the evolving landscape of drone mitigation.
Among the witnesses were Captain Troy Wilson of the Texas Department of Public Safety, Sergeant Robert Dooley of the Florida Highway Patrol, and Secretary Ricky Dixon of the Florida Department of Corrections. Each provided firsthand insights into the challenges faced by public safety officials when dealing with unauthorized or dangerous drone activity.
Senator Britt emphasized the critical role state and local law enforcement play in protecting public safety, especially around sensitive locations and federal installations in Alabama. “Even when it comes to federal installations in Alabama, it’s often state and local law enforcement and personnel who are the closest and most capable of actually responding,” Britt stated. She highlighted the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency under Secretary Hal Taylor as a prime example of effective local response.
Sergeant Dooley reinforced the importance of establishing federal oversight and standardized protocols before expanding drone mitigation roles to local agencies. He stressed the need for a federal entity to manage the rollout and ensure transparency and consistency across jurisdictions.
In her final round of questioning, Britt addressed the growing threat of drones being used to smuggle contraband into correctional facilities. Secretary Dixon described the challenge correctional officers face in detecting fast and stealthy drones and warned of the dangers these situations pose to both inmates and staff. “We have limited systems that help detect when they’re coming in, but not nearly as advanced as they should be,” he said. He called for federal authority to help state systems catch up with advancing technology.
