The FBI and Atlanta Police Department are executing a significant security operation as they prepare for the World Cup semifinals between England and Argentina at Atlanta Stadium. Both agencies employ drones to identify potential threats both on the ground and in the sky.
The FBI is actively enforcing the Federal Aviation Administration’s Temporary Flight Restrictions surrounding the venue. To date, the FBI has confiscated over 600 drones nationwide since the World Cup began, with 86 of those seizures occurring in Atlanta.
According to Marlo Graham, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Atlanta Field Office, the agency uses technology to detect unauthorized drones in restricted airspace. Agents then work to neutralize the risks posed by unidentified drones. Graham stated, ‘We’ve been able to safely land drones that have been unauthorized in the flight restricted area.’
While the FBI considers every drone a potential threat, the risk level increases based on the drone’s size and proximity to the stadium. Graham noted, ‘The closer to the venue, the larger the crowd. We are fortunate here in Atlanta that we have a closed dome stadium.’
The Atlanta Police Department’s Drone Unit collaborates with the FBI to identify individuals operating drones in restricted zones. Sgt. Kindu Franklin mentioned that most individuals caught are hobbyists without harmful intent. ‘In some cases, they recently bought a drone just for FIFA to get footage for social media,’ Franklin shared.
The Atlanta Police Department’s drone operations during the World Cup are concentrated on surveillance. Officers are keeping an eye out for potential threats, traffic issues, and individuals the FBI suspects of illegal drone use.
Sgt. James Cunningham from APD’s Drone Unit explained their drones are launched remotely from handheld controllers or docking stations placed strategically throughout the city. Officers manage these drones from an SUV using a computer and a PlayStation controller. ‘It’s going to cut down time. We’re going to get there quick. And then you’re going to get an aerial perspective of what you can’t see on the ground,’ Cunningham stated.
Since June, the drone unit has executed over 1,400 flights and logged more than 550 flight hours. Anais Paredes, an APD drone pilot, emphasized, ‘We train for the environment. We live here, so we know what to expect.’
The FBI advises hobbyist drone pilots to be aware of the Temporary Flight Restrictions in their area. Restrictions include a one-mile limit around World Cup stadiums on non-match days, expanding to a three-mile limit on game days.