U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro M. Mayorkas speaks during a press conference held to discuss security measures for Super Bowl LVIII at the Mandalay Bay convention center Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024.
Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024 | 1:30 p.m.
The NFL and security officials are reminding those attending Super Bowl 58 this weekend to leave drones at home.
Strict guidelines will be enforced for the league’s championship game Sunday for anyone operating unmanned aircraft near Allegiant Stadium.
This warning comes after a Pennsylvania man, 44-year-old Matthew Herbert, was arrested for allegedly operating a drone over M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Jan. 28 during the AFC Championship Game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens. Herbert is facing federal charges.
An administrative timeout was called in the first quarter to address the drone.
Allegiant Stadium has been designated a drone-free zone ahead of the Chiefs-San Francisco 49ers game on Sunday, said Karen Ransom, special agent in charge of the Las Vegas field office of the U.S. Secret Service.
The NFL said there were no known or credible threats ahead of the Super Bowl.
“It does not require much imagination to understand the significant threat such an incident could pose,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas at the NFL’s public safety news conference at Mandalay Bay on Wednesday.
Mayorkas said there were 385 Homeland Security officers in Las Vegas to keep watch over the 65,000 fans who will be at Allegiant Stadium and the estimated 330,000 visitors who will descend upon Las Vegas as the city hosts the Super Bowl for the first time.
Spencer Evans, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Las Vegas office, said the bureau has dozens of officers prepared to address potential security threats.
“These critical missions have become relevant when it comes to high-profile events,” Evans said.
Evans said the FBI in Las Vegas has been in contact with its counterparts in Los Angeles and Phoenix, the hosts of the last two Super Bowls, to better prepare for what to expect.
Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill said Metro Police are used to dealing with high-profile events, noting the Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix in October. “No city is better prepared,” he said.
The NFL is encouraging Super Bowl attendees to download the NFL OnePass app on their smartphones. The app will provide entry times, drop-off locations for ride shares and maps on where to enter the stadium.
There will be no on-site parking at Allegiant Stadium. The NFL encourages people to use ride sharing services or park on the Strip.
Gates to Allegiant Stadium will open at 11:30 a.m. League officials urge people to get to the stadium early to avoid road closures and traffic jams.
