The FBI and Atlanta Police Department are conducting a security operation in preparation for the World Cup semifinals between England and Argentina at Atlanta Stadium. Both agencies are utilizing drones to monitor for potential threats in the vicinity. The FBI is enforcing Temporary Flight Restrictions set by the Federal Aviation Administration around the venue and has confiscated over 600 unauthorized drones nationwide since the World Cup commenced, with 86 of those seizures occurring in Atlanta.
Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Atlanta Field Office, Marlo Graham, stated that the FBI employs a mechanism to detect unauthorized drones in restricted airspace and works to mitigate any threats they may pose. Graham emphasized that while every drone is treated as a potential threat, the level of concern increases based on the drone's size and proximity to the stadium.
Sgt. Kindu Franklin from the Atlanta Police Department noted that most individuals caught flying drones near World Cup venues are hobbyists without harmful intentions, often seeking to capture footage for social media. The Atlanta Police Department's Drone Unit is focused on surveillance to identify potential threats and traffic issues.
Sgt. James Cunningham explained that their drone operations provide command staff with aerial views that are not available from the ground. The unit has conducted over 1,400 flights and accumulated more than 550 flight hours since June. The FBI has advised hobbyist drone pilots to be aware of the Temporary Flight Restrictions, which include a one-mile restriction around World Cup stadiums on non-match days and a three-mile restriction on game days.