BROWARD COUNTY, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2026) — BOCA RATON — Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies assigned to the Airport District, working with TSA Law Enforcement/Federal Air Marshall Service, have been conducting a proactive outreach effort aimed at recreational and commercial drone operators near Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
The goal, according to BSO, is to reinforce safe, lawful and responsible drone use in sensitive airspace around the airport.
The outreach comes after months of enforcement activity tied to drones flown illegally within FLL’s exclusionary zone. Over the past seven months, BSO and its federal partners have addressed unlawful operation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems in that restricted area. Those coordinated efforts resulted in the arrest of approximately 10 individuals since July 2025 for violations related to unlawful drone activity.
BSO said the recent operation emphasized education over enforcement. Deputies engaged directly with drone operators in the area and provided guidance on why compliance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations matters, particularly near airport operations.
Authorities involved in the effort include BSO’s Airport District and TSA Law Enforcement/Federal Air Marshall Service. FAA rules govern where and how drones can be flown, and the outreach focused on helping operators understand those requirements before they launch.
BSO’s message was that drones flown improperly can pose risks to manned aircraft, passengers and people on the ground. Near airports, BSO said, the margin for error is zero.
Deputies shared key FAA safety reminders with operators. Those included flying below 400 feet and keeping the drone within visual line of sight. Operators were also reminded that flying in controlled airspace around and above the airport requires authorization from the FAA.
Other reminders included avoiding flights over people, vehicles or moving traffic. Deputies also stressed registering a drone when required and understanding airspace restrictions before flying.
The outreach also covered staying clear of emergency response operations and respecting temporary flight restrictions.
BSO Airport Capt. Brian Montgomery urged drone operators to follow the rules and report unsafe activity near the airport.
For residents in Palm Beach County who fly drones for work or recreation, the takeaway is straightforward: check the airspace rules before flying, especially when traveling or operating near major airports. The restrictions and authorization requirements can change depending on location and conditions, and controlled airspace near airports is treated differently.
What happens next is continued coordination between BSO and federal partners, with education positioned as a tool to prevent incidents and enforcement remaining part of the response to unlawful flights in restricted areas.
BSO directed the public to the FAA’s official drone website for information on where drones can be flown and how to register.
