With nearly 500 drone flights occurring on and around campus each month, the University of Illinois’ Police Department had growing concerns about unauthorized drone activity. The combination of a dense student population, high-profile events like Big 10 football games, and critical infrastructure such as the campus airport make the campus an attractive target for drone incursions, posing serious risks to safety, security, and operations.
In one alarming incident, during a football game that coincided with a third-party security audit, a drone breached restricted airspace during the third quarter. The drone hovered dangerously close—within 10 feet—of a SWAT officer stationed in an overwatch position, capturing images of critical security tactics. This exposed a major vulnerability: drones could not only endanger spectators and staff but also compromise operational security with unauthorized surveillance.
The university relied on manual drone monitoring methods, including visual line-of-sight and officer dispatch, which were labor-intensive and often ineffective. During this incident, 14 officers were deployed to locate the operator, ultimately without success. Recognizing the urgent need for better drone security, Captain Joe McCullough and the University’s Police Department sought a real-time drone detection solution.
