Following weeks of unexplained drone activity over New York and New Jersey, Senator Chuck Schumer is urging the federal government to implement advanced drone-detection technology to identify and halt these unauthorized flights.
The New York senator is calling on the Department of Homeland Security for the immediate deployment of specialized technology capable of tracking drones to their origins, according to his office.
Schumer’s request follows growing public concern over the lack of official explanation regarding the drone operators and the government’s failure to stop the flights. National security officials have stated that the drones don’t appear to be linked to foreign actors.
“Many of us are quite frustrated,” Representative Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, stated on Fox News Sunday. “‘We don’t know’ is not an acceptable answer.”
President-elect Donald Trump recently posted on social media: “Can this truly be happening without our government’s knowledge? I doubt it. Inform the public, and do it now. Otherwise, shoot them down.”
Certain DHS agencies possess the authority to disable drones, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos on Sunday. “But we need to expand those powers,” he added, without specifying how.
Mayorkas confirmed that there’s no evidence linking the drones to foreign governments.
“We are unaware of any foreign involvement regarding the Northeast sightings. We are diligently investigating this matter,” Mayorkas stated.
Last year, new federal regulations mandated that certain drones broadcast their identification. It remains unclear if this information has aided in identifying the operators of the drones observed in New York and New Jersey. Mayorkas’ office did not immediately respond to inquiries regarding the use of this identification capability.
Schumer advocates for the use of recently declassified radar technology to distinguish between drones and birds, identify electronic registrations, and track drones to their landing locations.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Sunday that federal authorities were deploying a drone detection system to the state.
“This system will assist state and federal law enforcement in their investigations,” Hochul stated. The governor did not offer further details, including deployment location.
Numerous mysterious nighttime drone flights commenced last month over New Jersey, causing alarm among residents and officials. Concerns were heightened by the initial sightings near Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military facility, and over Trump’s golf course in Bedminster.
Drones are legal in New Jersey for recreational and commercial use, but are subject to local and Federal Aviation Administration regulations and flight restrictions. Operators must hold FAA certification.
