Law enforcement is tracking down pilots of drones flying over World Cup venues

ATLANTA – The FBI and the Atlanta Police Department are preparing for a major security operation ahead of the World Cup semi-final between England and Argentina at the Atlanta Stadium.

Both organizations have used drones to search for potential threats on the ground and in the air. The FBI enforces the Federal Aviation Administration’s Temporary Flight Restrictions worldwide.

The FBI has seized more than 600 drones across the country since the World Cup began. Special Agent in charge of the FBI Atlanta Field Office Marlo Graham said 86 of those drones were seized in Atlanta.

Graham said the FBI uses a “procedure” that allows agents to spot unauthorized drones in restricted airspace. Agents then work to reduce the threat posed by unidentified drones.

“We were able to safely land unlicensed drones in a restricted flight area,” Graham said.

While the FBI considers every drone a potential threat, Graham said the level of threat can increase depending on the size of the drone and how close it gets to the field.

“Obviously, the closer the venue, the bigger the crowd. We’re lucky here in Atlanta that we have a closed dome stadium,” Graham said. “We don’t want the game to be affected because a hobbyist couldn’t control his drone, and it happened when one of our best players was preparing to score a goal.”

EXCLUSIVE: FBI PLACES COVID-19 SUSPECTS ON MOST WANTED LIST

The Atlanta Police Department’s Drone Unit has helped the FBI track down people suspected of flying in restricted areas.

Sgt. Kindu Franklin said most of the people caught flying around the World Cup venues are recreational people who do not intend to harm the crowd of football fans below.

In some cases, they’ve just bought a drone so FIFA can get some cool pictures they want to put on social media,” Franklin said. “There are different ways you can equip these drones. So, we are working very hard.”

The Atlanta Police Department’s work at the World Cup is focused on surveillance. (IFX)

The Atlanta Police Department’s drone operation focuses on surveillance. Police are looking into potential threats, traffic problems and people the FBI suspects are flying drones illegally.

“So, what we want to do is give our approval staff the impression that they can’t get off the ground,” said Sgt. James Cunningham with APD’s Drone Unit.

ARMED MAN ARRESTED AT US CAPITOL BARRICADE AS POLICE INVESTIGATE WHAT HE DRIVEN INTO POWER AREA

Cunningham’s unit can launch drones remotely with handheld controllers. Other drones are launched from well-placed docking stations throughout the city, and police control them from the back of an SUV using a computer and a PlayStation controller.

The Atlanta Police Department is launching some drones from well-placed docks throughout the city. They are controlled by a computer and a PlayStation controller. (Fox News)

The booths are used throughout the year to help police identify emergencies before the police arrive. The computer shows the wireless pilot where all the police body cameras and vehicles are in place, allowing them to better communicate with officers on the ground.

During the World Cup, airports without aircraft allow the department to have more eyes in the sky and respond to emergencies faster.

“It will cut down on time. We’ll get there faster. And then you’ll get an aerial view of what you can’t see on the ground,” Cunningham said.

The Atlanta Police Department is launching more drones from docks to get more eyes in the sky and respond to emergencies faster. (Fox News)

Cunningham said the drone unit has completed more than 1,400 flights and logged more than 550 flight hours since the beginning of June.

“Some people have never done that in years or never reached those numbers in the life of their drone unit,” Cunningham said.

“We train for the environment. We live here, so we know what to expect,” said Anais Paredes, an APD drone pilot.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM

The FBI asks that hobbyist pilots know the Temporary Flight Restrictions in their area before taking off.

There is a one-mile limit around World Cup stadiums on non-match days, and a three-mile limit on match day.