TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — In a matter of minutes during a budget hearing in Tallahassee, lawmakers signed off on a $16 million advance for FIFA security equipment for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement -- not for drones, but for the ability to detect them.
“Detect RF signals, to detect drones -- unlawful drones,” said Tim Fitzgerald of the FDLE.
Law enforcement has identified unmanned aerial attacks as a significant threat for the FIFA World Cup games, including the seven matches set to be played at Hard Rock Stadium in June and July.
The FDLE funding is the latest addition to a growing pool of public money and resources tied to the World Cup in South Florida.
Miami-Dade, the host county, is on track to commit between $38 million and $46 million -- split between cash and public safety services like police and paramedics. Broward County is contributing $2 million in marketing funds.
The $16 million from FDLE comes on top of more than $5 million in federal funding -- highlighted by a large check presented to the Miami-Dade sheriff about a week and a half ago.
“Projections for the income is a lot greater than the money we are investing,” Miami Dade Commissioner Oliver Gilbert said.
That’s been the key argument for county leaders backing the spending -- with FIFA projections estimating an economic impact of 10 times or more the public investment, even as some remain skeptical.
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