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NFL stadium drones: police identify operator in Lambeau Field delay

Green Bay police identified the drone operator who halted a Packers game. A week later, an authorized TV drone paused a Ravens game in Baltimore.

A security officer walks through an empty parking garage at night, lighting the way with a flashlight.

Green Bay police said on November 5 that they have identified the operator of a drone that briefly stopped the October 29 Packers game against the Carolina Panthers at Lambeau Field, NBC 26 reported. A week later a drone paused the Ravens game in Baltimore, but that one was flying for the TV broadcast, The Baltimore Banner reported.

Key points#

  • Green Bay police say they know who flew the drone that interrupted the Packers game, but they have not released a name or said what charges may be filed, WBAY reported.
  • Police are working with the FAA, the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office, FOX 11 reported.
  • The FAA restricts drone flights within three nautical miles of qualifying NFL stadiums, up to 3,000 feet, from an hour before a game until an hour after it ends, according to FOX 11.
  • The Maryland Stadium Authority's head of security said the drone that paused the Ravens game was authorized and was not a security threat, The Baltimore Banner reported.

What happened at Lambeau Field#

With 7:43 left in the third quarter, referee Scott Novak signaled a delay and both teams briefly cleared the field, FOX 11 reported. Announcer Al Michaels told viewers the drone was not part of the broadcast operation.

Police said no more information can be released because the investigation is active, and the U.S. Attorney's Office is reviewing the incident, NBC 26 reported.

Operators who fly in restricted airspace can face fines up to $100,000, up to one year in federal prison, confiscation of the drone and loss of pilot licensing, WBAY reported.

Bill Bongle, a drone flight instructor, told WBAY that a drone that goes out of control could fall and injure someone, and that law enforcement has to take seriously the chance of one being used to do harm.

A second pause in Baltimore#

During the first quarter of the Thursday night game on November 5, play stopped briefly after officials spotted a drone near M&T Bank Stadium, The Baltimore Banner reported. Vernon Conaway Jr., the stadium authority's head of security, said it was "an authorized drone supporting the television broadcast."

Ravens home games have been paused a few times in recent years after security spotted drones near the stadium, and a Baltimore man pleaded guilty last year to violating national defense airspace after flying a drone over the stadium during a playoff game, according to The Banner. The paper also said the NFL has lobbied Congress to let local law enforcement at major sporting events take measures to bring down unwelcome drones.

What it means for your company#

  • Put drones in your post orders. For venue and event sites, post orders should spell out who to tell when an officer spots a drone, what to write down and who decides whether an event stops.
  • Learn which drones are approved. The Baltimore pause involved a drone cleared for TV, The Banner reported. Ask the organizer or broadcaster before the event which flights are planned, so your team knows what it is looking at.
  • Watch and report, do not interfere. Officers should note where the drone is, which way it goes and whether they can see who is flying it, then pass that on. Check with an attorney about what your team may and may not do.
  • Keep a record. Log each sighting in an incident report with the time and place, so your client has the facts afterward.

In Guardix, managers write post orders for each site and officers file incident reports from the mobile app.

Frequently asked questions#

Who flew the drone at Lambeau Field?#

The name has not been made public. Green Bay police say they have identified the operator but cannot release more while the investigation is active, NBC 26 reported.

What are the limits on drones near NFL stadiums?#

The FAA restricts flights within three nautical miles of qualifying NFL stadiums, up to 3,000 feet, from an hour before a game until an hour after it ends, FOX 11 reported.

Sources#

  • Drones
  • Event security
  • Venues

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