As fans from around the country gather in California for this year’s Super Bowl showdown between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks, officials are urging them to leave their drones at home.
The police chief of Santa Clara, where the game will be played, made it clear that authorities would take decisive action if necessary. “We’re prepared to shoot down a drone,” he said. “We have seen what happens when drones aren’t properly regulated, and we don’t want any incidents like that during this high-profile event.”
The chief’s warning comes on the heels of increasing public interest in drone technology among sports fans who are eager to capture live footage of their favorite games. However, these devices pose significant risks if they malfunction or fall into the stands. There have also been reports of drones being used for malicious purposes, such as dropping objects onto stadiums.
Retired Army Col. Bill Edwards from ENSCO in Washington D.C., which offers counter-drone training to various agencies, expects drone pilots will try their luck during major events like the Super Bowl. “We can anticipate such incidents at every big event,” he explained.
To preempt potential issues, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has placed a ban on all drone flights over the Super Bowl. The top special event, recognized by the federal government for requiring extensive interagency support, is classified as a high-profile occurrence.
The FAA works closely with the FBI to detect and track unauthorized drones, and any operator caught flying without authorization will face fines of up to $75,000, loss of their drone, and even criminal charges.
Law enforcement agencies working on Super Bowl security use various methods to mitigate the threat posed by drones. These measures range from ground intercept teams that can contact drone pilots, redirect them, or physically land the device in a controlled manner.
“Every major event has its layers of response,” said Santa Clara Police Chief Cory Morgan. “We have all options available at our disposal.”
Technological advancements derived from conflicts like those in Ukraine and Syria are causing particular concern among law enforcement agencies. Edwards highlighted fiber-optic drones, which can evade radar systems, as a new challenge. He emphasized, “The technology’s potential has evolved far beyond what we originally thought, posing significant threats now.”
In California, where the Super Bowl takes place this year, officials are determined to ensure that no drone-related incidents mar this high-stakes sporting event.