In a significant incident this past Friday night at Stewart Airfield in New Windsor, New York, drone activity led to the temporary shutdown of the runways. Governor Kathy Hochul expressed her frustration in a statement, emphasizing that the situation has escalated beyond acceptable limits. This incident not only disrupted airport operations for about an hour but also highlighted growing concerns over the increasing number of drone sightings reported across the Tri-State Area, which encompasses New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. In response to these incidents, Governor Hochul announced that a state-of-the-art drone detection system would be deployed to better investigate the nature and origins of these drones.
The concerns over drone activity have sparked numerous frustrations among lawmakers, particularly local representatives who are demanding clearer answers from federal authorities regarding the uncertainties surrounding the drone sightings. Federal agencies, including the White House and the FBI, have dismissed some of these suspected threats as “not credible,” attributing many reported drone sightings to misidentifications of manned aircraft. The FBI reportedly received about 5,000 leads concerning drone activity since mid-November, but only a small percentage have resulted in meaningful action. This response has left local officials dissatisfied, particularly in light of recent drone reports over significant urban areas like New York City, leading to calls for more stringent oversight and tangible action.
Governor Hochul’s calls for federal action were further emphasized in her statements, where she urged Congress to pass the Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act. This proposed legislation aims to expand the legal frameworks for drone countermeasures, granting additional powers to state and local law enforcement agencies to better address and mitigate drone threats. Furthermore, the governor indicated that the Biden Administration should take immediate actions to direct additional federal resources to bolster the security in New York and surrounding regions. This underscores the necessity for improved coordination between state-level agencies and federal authorities concerning drone enforcement and safety protocols.
Meanwhile, New Jersey Rep. Chris Smith has echoed these calls for action, proposing legislation that would empower state police to take decisive measures against drones currently under federal jurisdiction. The action comes amidst concerns articulated by local law enforcement, particularly after incidents involving unknown drones flying at considerable speeds. The Ocean County Sheriff’s Office reported using their tethered drone to identify mysterious flying objects, which have raised alarms among officials and the public alike. Sheriff Shaun Golden’s subsequent statements reflect a growing impatience with federal responses that dismiss the drone sightings as merely plane traffic, which many local officials believe is inadequate in addressing the community’s safety concerns.
Echoing similar sentiments, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy reached out to President Biden, underscoring the need for additional federal resources to investigate and understand the recent drone surge. Murphy’s letter also hints at bipartisan support for a comprehensive approach towards addressing the complicated issues surrounding drone activity. As these sightings have not been limited to New York and New Jersey alone, reports have emerged from Pennsylvania and other East Coast locations, signaling a broader trend that necessitates urgent intervention from both state and federal authorities.
Ongoing dialogue between state leaders and federal officials has escalated with suggestions for the establishment of specialized units trained to handle drone interventions effectively. Rep. Smith’s intentions to propose legislative measures endorse this idea, hoping to create a structured response that would empower local law enforcement agencies to respond to drone threats in a more timely and effective manner. With the current regulations limiting interventions to just federal agencies, local law enforcement remains hampered in their ability to engage proactively with the drone activity. The push for immediate legislative action reflects mounting pressure on Congressional leaders to evolve existing drone regulations while fundamentally ensuring public safety and addressing the mounting concerns surrounding drone activity over densely populated urban areas.