Top New York officials are calling on federal authorities to deploy advanced drone detection systems following numerous mysterious drone sightings across New York and New Jersey that have sparked public concern and even led to an airport closure.
Senator Chuck Schumer is requesting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to immediately implement specialized drone-tracking technology in the region. The system, known as Robin radar, uses 360-degree detection capabilities rather than linear tracking to locate unmanned aircraft.
"If drones can reach the sky, we certainly have the technology to track them precisely and determine what's happening," Schumer stated at a news conference.
DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas confirmed that additional resources, personnel, and technology have been deployed to assist local law enforcement in investigating the sightings. While some reports involve actual drones, others appear to be manned aircraft mistakenly identified as unmanned vehicles.
Since mid-November, residents along the East Coast have reported seeing car-sized drones illuminating the night sky and hovering over residential areas. Clusters of large drones have also been spotted near military installations and high-profile locations.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has implemented drone flight restrictions during the ongoing investigation. Of nearly 5,000 tips received by the FBI, less than 100 have yielded credible leads. Officials noted that many reported sightings align with regular flight paths to major New York airports.
Stewart International Airport in New Windsor, NY, had to suspend operations for an hour on Friday night after a drone was detected nearby. In a separate incident, Boston police arrested two men for allegedly flying a drone dangerously close to Logan International Airport.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that federal partners are deploying state-of-the-art drone detection systems to New York. She is advocating for the Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act, which would grant states more authority to address drone-related issues.
The matter has gained bipartisan attention, with senators from both New York and New Jersey demanding briefings from federal agencies on the mysterious sightings. Law enforcement officials have testified that current legal framework is insufficient to handle drone-related challenges effectively.
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