The World Cup kicks off this week in South Florida, with seven matches set to take place at what is being temporarily called Miami Stadium.
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A total of 104 matches spanning 11 cities in 39 days, combined with millions of visitors, makes the World Cup a security challenge like no other.
A major focus for law enforcement has been the potential for threats not only on the ground, but in the air.
Maj. Benny Solis of the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office oversees the Special Patrol Bureau, which includes many of the tactical units that specialize in keeping large-scale events secure.
“I have our special response team, our bomb units, our bomb dogs, our K-9s, our rapid deployment force,” he said.
The bureau also includes the Special Response Team, Incident Management Team, Special Events Unit, Aviation and Motor Units, Marine Patrol, Motor and Aviation Units. All of which Solis says will be on hand for World Cup security.
“So, our job and mine in specific is to prepare for the worst,” he explained. “Our planning and action of how we see each and every event, how we staff it has changed dramatically from I’ll say just two years ago.”
Two years ago, chaos erupted at the Copa America final when fans, many without tickets, forced their way inside Hard Rock Stadium. The incident led to delays, arrests, injuries, and lessons learned.
“So obviously what happened back then can’t occur again,” said Solis, “So, we changed our security posture, and we did extend our perimeter at the Hard Rock Stadium.”
Solis says the changes mean anyone without a ticket will not be getting close to the stadium.
A major focus this year is counter-drone security. Law enforcement trained in counter-drone technology will be deployed at both games and fan events.
“We are having our personnel working with the FBI and the Federal Air Marshals,” Solis explained, “Because they are the lead in counter UAS drone mitigation detection.”
Earlier this year, the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office sent a sergeant to Alabama for the FBI’s latest counter-drone training.
According to the FBI, a total of six officers from South Florida have completed the program.
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New legislation that went into effect this year allows state and local agencies to use certain drone-fighting technology that was previously only available to federal agents.
The Federal Aviation Administration has also set temporary flight restrictions around World Cup venues and other event locations.
“So, we’ve always had detection systems, right? But now we want to see if we can go to the next level of mitigation,” according to Solis.
Efforts to counter drone threats are expanding nationwide. An NBC team in Dallas traveled to Oklahoma where researchers from Oklahoma State University are collaborating with the U.S. military and private contractors to develop advanced technology to combat drones. They set up demonstrations, along with the company Vigilant Aerospace Systems, which has developed a multilayered drone detection system, using portable radar that can be mounted on a stadium roof. If a drone enters restricted airspace, the Oklahoma State team tested systems that can fire capture nets to knock the drone from the sky, and targeting drones that crash into the threat.
Demonstrations include multilayered defense systems developed by companies like Vigilant Aerospace Systems. These tools range from drone detection radar to capture nets designed to knock drones out of the sky, as well as targeting drones that can collide with threats.
“The utilization of drones being utilized to bring weapons and packages, obviously it’s a big, massive concern on our part,” Solis said.
The concern is significant enough that in April, the Florida legislature approved the disbursement $15.5 million in federal FIFA security funds to the FIFA World Cup Miami Host Committee for a counter-drone program.
“It’s a concern during the matches, but it’s also a concern at any large gathering,” said Ray Martinez, the Chief Operating Officer of the FIFA World Cup Miami Host Committee, says security planning extends beyond the stadiums. Martinez, a former Miami Beach police chief, has coordinated security for major events including Super Bowls and Ultra Music Festival. He says it’s not just the matches, but also FIFA events across South Florida, including fan gatherings like Fan Fest at Bayfront Park, that present additional challenges.
“We don’t know if 10,000 people are going to show up to the fan fest or 50,000 people,” Martinez said, “So we’re preparing for those fluctuations.”
Major Solis says law enforcement teams have conducted close to 100 security simulations to prepare.
“You know, what keeps me up night, and actually a couple days now,” he said, “is the unknown. But I’m very well aware that we’re well trained, we’re prepared, and we’ll be ready for anything that comes.”
Authorities are also warning the public to avoid flying drones anywhere near World Cup events. Flying unauthorized drones during the tournament could result in fines up to $100,000, permanent confiscation of the drone, and up to a year in federal prison.
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