ATLANTA — Despite strict restrictions for drone use leading up to Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta, law enforcement is still being inundated with reports of drones flying around Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
"Whatever we've been doing up until this point clearly isn't working. Yesterday, six drones were confiscated throughout the day," said FBI Atlanta spokesman Kevin Rowson. "It's taken up a lot of time for our agents to be targeting these drones when they could be working on other security measures."
The six drone operators will be referred to the U.S. Attorney General's office for prosecution, Rowson said. Frustration about drone operators is at a "very high level right now," Rowson said.
"They'll be subject to exorbitant fines and possible jail time," Rowson said. "The reason we want to make this very clear: if the drone goes out of control, or the pilot goes out of control, it could cause serious injury. We have no idea if it is someone friendly or nefarious."
It is difficult to know where the operator might be at any time while a drone is in flight, but Rowson said the FBI has technology on its side.
"I'm not going to get into specifics about the technology, but suffice to say, we have the resources to keep people safe," Rowson said.
Officials said they have seen an increase in drone use in and around Atlanta's Super Bowl, compared to Minneapolis and Houston.
"Weather has had an impact. Atlanta is a beautiful city, we're past our weather incident with no freezing rain in sight," said FBI special agent John Cronier. "Today we've got clear skies and good weather. Minneapolis is snow and cold and it definitely impacts the technology of drones."
"As drones become more popular, we're seeing more and more of them," Rowson added.
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Drones are prohibited for one nautical mile around the stadium for up to 1,000 feet until 5:30 p.m. on Super Bowl Sunday.
Then, the game day flight restriction zone goes into effect. Drones are prohibited within a 30 nautical mile radius of the stadium and up to 17,999 feet in altitude. That restriction will be in effect from 5:30 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. Sunday.
Pilots and drone operators who enter the restricted flight area could face fines up to $20,000 and the possibility of criminal charges.
Drone pilots who want to lift off around Atlanta can use the FAA’s B4UFly app to determine where flying is legal.