The federal government is deploying a new state-of-the art drone detection system in the wake of unidentified drone sightings across New York City, Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement.
Hochul, in the same release, also once again called on congress to pass the Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act, which would allow New York and their partners the authority and resources to respond to new-age circumstances such as these.
Previously, Hochul directed the New York State Intelligence Center to actively investigate drone sightings and coordinate with federal law enforcement to address the issue.
“In response to my calls for additional resources, our federal partners are deploying a state-of-the-art drone detection system to New York State. This system will support state and federal law enforcement in their investigations,” Hochul said. “We are grateful to the Biden Administration for their support, but ultimately we need further assistance from Congress. Passing the Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act will give New York and our peers the authority and resources required to respond to circumstances like we face today.”
Hochul’s office did not respond to multiple requests for comment about how the drone detection technology functions. No federal agencies were specifically named in the statement.
Hochul’s statement was issued the morning after runways at Stewart Airfield were shut down for approximately one hour due to drone activity in the airspace on Saturday.
In mid-November, Hochul had the New York State Intelligence Center actively investigate drone sightings and coordinate with federal law enforcement to address this issue in the state as part of her call for Congress to pass the Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act.
If passed, the bill would reform legal authorities to counter-UAS; strengthen the FAA’s oversight of drones; extend counter-UAS activities to select law enforcement agencies.
Drone sightings in region
For weeks now, civilians and officials alike have been reporting sightings of drones as large as SUVs in the skies. These unidentified drones have been spotted in locations across Staten Island and a number of states, including New Jersey.
On Friday, Hochul shared via social media that New York authorities are coordinating with federal partners, including the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security. The coordination is aimed to “protect New Yorkers,” she said on X.
Within that same post, Hochul claims that “there’s no evidence that these drones pose a public safety or national security threat.”
While local governors conduct their business, local Staten Island politicians rallied together in Fort Wadsworth on Friday to call for answers and an NYPD investigation.
“Step up to the plate and be honest and truthful with the American people, the people of Staten Island, and solve this problem once and for all,” Borough President Vito Fossella said.
Despite drones reportedly being seen over military locations such as Fort Wadsworth and Fort Hamilton, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has yet to put air restrictions in place over Staten Island or other parts of New York City. In the wake of the drone sightings, the FAA has put air restrictions in place for President-elect Donald Trump’s Bedminster Golf Club and New Jersey’s Picatinny Arsenal Military Base.
The NYPD has referred a request for comment to federal authorities; authorities which have downplayed the public’s concerns.
John Kirby, a White House national security communications adviser, said Thursday that much of what has been reported as drone sightings is actually people misidentifying legally-operating manned aircraft.
Kirby also says that there had been no reported sightings in any restricted airspace, contradicting military officials who have claimed otherwise, as reported by NJ.com.
“Our government is not telling us who’s operating (the drones) and for what purpose,” Rep. Nicole Mallitoakis (R-Staten Island/South Brooklyn) said. “What we’re all asking is for you to be straight with us and just tell us what is going on.”
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