While they admit it’s a “pretty small” concern, authorities are addressing the possibility that terrorists could use drones to attack Super Bowl XLIX in Glendale, Ariz. on Feb. 1.
According to ABC15 in Arizona, drone expert Dr. Tom Foley is consulting with the Department of Homeland Security to discuss drones attacking the big game.
Normal regulations say drones can’t be flown within 3,000 feet above and within three miles of stadiums an hour before and after an event. For the Super Bowl, however, no is allowed to fly a drone within 30 miles of the stadium and there will be F-16s in the air during the game for added security.
And according to ABC15, the roof on the University of Phoenix Stadium will be closed if there is a suspicious drone nearby.
Again, the report admits the concern about terrorists using drones is “pretty small” and that the “real threat” is over a hobbyist crashing a drone into a crowd of people. But I’m a fan of taking every precaution possible, and as the report points out, in 2011 the feds stopped Rezwan Ferdaus who planned to fly drones packed with explosives into the Pentagon.
Frank Hatfield, the Federal Aviation Administration’s director of system operations security, tells the Arizona Daily Star, “The message is: Leave the drone at home.” He adds, “I can say that there is no credible threat against the Super Bowl that we are aware of.”
[via ABC15 Arizona]
