FBI Seizes 600 Unauthorized Drones at World Cup Sites as Atlanta Deploys Aerial Security
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 14
FBI Seizes 600 Unauthorized Drones at World Cup Sites as Atlanta Deploys Aerial Security
1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 14
Summary
More than 600 unauthorized drones have been confiscated at World Cup events since the tournament began, including 86 in Atlanta ahead of the England-Argentina semifinal at Atlanta Stadium.
FBI agents are enforcing FAA temporary flight restrictions and using detection tools to identify drones in restricted airspace, then safely land them before they can threaten crowds or disrupt matches.
Atlanta police are flying their own drones for surveillance, traffic monitoring and locating suspected illegal operators, with some aircraft launched remotely from citywide docking stations and controlled from an SUV.
APD's drone unit has logged more than 1,400 flights and 550 flight hours since early June, underscoring the scale of the security buildup around the World Cup.
Non-match days carry a 1-mile no-fly zone around stadiums, expanding to 3 miles on game day, as authorities say many violators are hobbyists seeking footage but still treat every drone as a potential threat.