ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — On Thursday, the FAA declared a ‘No Drone Zone’ in downtown Atlanta for all World Cup matches and FanFest days.
“Drone operators should expect swift action if they violate restricted airspace,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford.
The ‘No Drone Zone’ includes to a 3-mile radius of the stadium and Centennial Olympic Park on match days.
FBI agents in Atlanta and other law enforcement officers have received specialized training in identifying, locating, as well as disarming and jamming the signals of unauthorized drones.
“You see it everywhere right now, the way drones are being leveraged for nefarious reasons, so we just want to eliminate that potential by having a no-fly zone,” said Marlo Graham, special agent in charge of FBI Atlanta.
Graham said Atlanta’s FBI field office has tactical team reinforcements and specialty supervisors in Atlanta for the 39 days of the World Cup.
She said that the White House is leading the security posture for all World Cup games, but local, state and federal law enforcement agencies will be in sync.
“We are all collaborating under one structure. So we will all be in the same room to be on the same sheet of music,” Graham said during a Thursday press briefing at FBI headquarters in Atlanta. “Everyone has their own mission that we’re going to adhere to ensure we’re doing our part to make things safe.”
FBI officials said SWAT teams will “maintain high visibility” during the matches and around where the matches will be at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Officials said they want everyone to know that it will be safe for the events and that if anyone sees anything, to say something or report it.
The U.S. Secret Service Atlanta Field Office is also supporting the security of the FIFA World Cup.
Special Agent in Charge Robert Donovan is the federal coordinator for the event.
A spokesperson for Atlanta’s Secret Service office said primarily assist in:
Working with local hotels to bring awareness to human trafficking during large sporting eventsAdditional bomb dogs for screening vehiclesSupplying assets to counter drone threatsProtection of world leaders and dignitaries attending the matchesProviding expertise and support in refining security plans for the event
Graham said there are currently no known threats in Atlanta for the World Cup.
In addition to aerial and on-the-ground defense efforts, Graham said Atlanta’s FBI will also focus on cybersecurity and human trafficking threats.
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