By The Opinion
The Soccer World Cup is about to begin, and one of the main concerns on the part of the American authorities is the use of drones.
That is why, to avoid a situation that puts people’s safety at risk, a multimillion-dollar strategy was designed to neutralize and shoot down any unauthorized device that flies over stadiums or “fan zones”.
In the United States, the World Cup has been classified as a national security event, which is an important test to establish whether the Government is capable of protecting crowded stadiums.
“One of the biggest fears is that someone will try to fly a drone with explosives towards one of the World Cup events,” Jeff Flohr, from the King County Sheriff’s Department, one of the agencies in charge of ensuring the security of Seattle (Washington), which will host six games, told EFE.
Previously, Natalia Molano, Spanish spokesperson for the State Department, acknowledged that some people may intend to use drones for their digital content, but recalled that this equipment is prohibited in stadiums.
“Drones are not allowed. That is something very important that law enforcement officials in the United States are monitoring a lot, because have become a security threat”, he warned.
According to EFE, the United States government has invested some 365 million dollars in systems aimed at creating a technological shield that allows detecting threats posed by aircraft, which have already proven their attack effectiveness in wars such as those in Ukraine and Iran.
The strategy has focused on being able to detect, see and control these unauthorized dronesas Flohr explains. Surveillance operations in the skies will be extended to airports and transportation centers, he adds.
In that sense, Patrick Grandy, deputy director of the FBI office in Los Angeles, said that authorities are ready “to shoot down” any vehicle that violates the no-fly zones.
Violations of restricted zones carry federal prison sentences, fines of up to $100,000, and confiscation of the drone.
Keep reading:
– The United States warns foreigners about the World Cup: “We are monitoring the laws… including immigration laws.”
– Mexican cartels have ordered not to commit acts of violence during the World Cup.
