Skip to main content

Increased drone activity around Golden Gate Bridge ramps up security fears

With quadcopters and similar unmanned flying machines finding themselves in an increasing number of hobbyists’ hands, it’s little surprise that aerial-shot videos showing off iconic sites across the U.S. are appearing in ever greater number on sites like YouTube.

Indeed, recent reports out of San Francisco suggest drone operators have been unable to resist the lure of the city’s grand Golden Gate Bridge, leading local officials to call for new powers to control flights (like the one above), citing safety and security concerns.

Recommended Videos

The issue was brought into sharp focus in recent days when one of the drones crashed onto the structure’s roadway, though no one was injured in the incident.

Denis Muligan, the bridge’s general manager, told a local news outlet that the remote-controlled copters have been spotted in off-limits locations such as behind security fences where photography is banned for security reasons.

Since 9/11, the bridge has been designated by Homeland Security as a “critical infrastructure” and as a result has undergone extensive work to improve its security.

As the law stands, there’s little action the authorities can take against quadcopter operators flying their machines in restricted areas around the bridge, Muligan said.

So concerned are bridge officials about the drone flights that they’ve written to California Senator Dianne Feinstein to demand action.

“The increased pressence of these unmanned aircraft is a major threat, and is of significant concern to those charged with the security of the Golden Gate Bridge,” the letter said.

While rules governing the commercial operation of drones remain strict, hobbyists still have a fair amount of freedom when it comes to using them, although a recent ban on flights in national parks could be a sign of things to come.

With drone ownership expanding at a rapid pace, it’s likely that many more famous sites across the U.S. are experiencing the same challenges as those faced by the operators of the Golden Gate Bridge. The story of how the authorites control drone flights, both commercial and non-commercial, clearly has some way to run.

Trevor Mogg
Contributing Editor
Not so many moons ago, Trevor moved from one tea-loving island nation that drives on the left (Britain) to another (Japan)…
The new Polaroid Flip comes with sonar autofocus
The Polaroid Flip camera, launched in April 2025.

Polaroid has just unveiled a new camera for some instant analog fun.

The Flip comes with fewer features than Polaroid's pricier I-2 model, but is more advanced than the Go, Polaroid's most basic instant camera -- so it could hit the sweet spot for some folks looking for such a device.

Read more
The best space imagery from Don Pettit’s incredible 7-month mission
The Betsiboka River estuary in Madagascar.

Photographer extraordinaire Don Pettit is about to return to Earth following a seven-month stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

During his time in orbit some 250 miles above Earth, Pettit has been sharing breathtaking photos and videos of Earth and beyond, featuring everything from star trails and aurora to rocket launches and cityscapes.

Read more
Best tech deals for mom: A Mother’s Day gift guide
The Garmin Lily 2 smartwatch, in purple and gold colors.

Mother's Day is fast approaching, and for the tech savvy moms and wives out there, we've rounded up the best gift ideas for the special day. With huge discounts up for grabs on these popular devices, it's going to be a good idea to push forward with any purchases as soon as possible -- not only to secure the savings, but also to make sure that your Mother's Day gifts will arrive on time. We've got something for everyone, so read on if you need help finding that perfect gift.

Garmin Lily 2 -- $200 $250 20% off

Read more