The cost of security for the World Cup is prohibitive and might not be enough to halt all threats.
The Trump administration has reportedly spent $250 million since December to help American cities prepare to tackle drone threats, according to a report from Front Office Sports.
“On the counter-drone measures, everybody’s a little behind,” Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin told a House Homeland Security Committee hearing Tuesday. “Drones are my biggest concern. … Every single day, we improve. But that is a huge concern that we have.”
That ranked as a pretty stunning admission with the first World Cup games beginning on June 11.
All 11 host states plus Washington, D.C. received a portion of a $250 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). That money goes toward helping track and taking down unauthorized aircrafts and drones.
On match days, planes and drones are not permitted to be within 3.5 miles of the stadium or below 3,000 feet. The Federal Aviation Administration is implementing flight restrictions near the 11 stadiums being used.
California received the largest grant, just under $34.6 million. SoFi Stadium in Inglewood is slated to host eight matches, including a July 10 quarterfinal. Combined with six games in Santa Clara, California is the U.S. state hosting the most matches.
“(We’ve) acquired a comprehensive, multi-layered detection and mitigation system to address the threats posed by unauthorized drones,” the Los Angeles Police Department said to FOS.
New Jersey also will hold eight matches at MetLife Stadium, including the World Cup final on July 19. The state received more than $21.7 million, and neighboring New York received $17.7 million, most of that going to NYPD and the state police.
Similarly, Kansas City’s matches will be played on the Missouri side in Arrowhead Stadium, but Kansas received a $5.3 million grant to complement Missouri’s $14.24 million.
–Field Level Media
