NEW WINDSOR, NY — Drone activity forced the closure of runways at New York’s Stewart Airfield Friday evening, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul.
“Last night, the runways at Stewart Airfield were closed for approximately an hour due to drone activity in the airspace. This went too far,” Hochul said in a statement released Saturday morning.
Hochul’s statement echoes growing frustration among tri-state area lawmakers demanding answers from the federal government on the origins of drones in the middle many reports of them flying over New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
White House officials deemed alleged threats from drones “not credible” and said many sightings likely only involved aircraft.
The FBI says it has received about 5,000 leads since mid-November, but only about 100 of them have led to action, and a Department of Homeland Security official says he is confident many of the sightings involve piloted aircraft. which were wrongly identified as drones. .
Growing frustration with drones in New York
Local officials have expressed concern over the federal response, particularly after drones were reported. above New York City.
“The people of Staten Island deserve answers, and the people of this city, this state and this region deserve answers about what is happening,” said Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella.
Hochul’s statement Saturday also called on federal lawmakers to pass legislation strengthening drone oversight by the Federal Aviation Administration:
“In mid-November, I directed the New York State Intelligence Center to actively investigate drone sightings and coordinate with federal law enforcement to address this issue, and these efforts are continuing. But in order to allow state law enforcement to work on this problem, I am now calling on Congress to pass the Anti-UAS Safety, Security, and Enforcement Reauthorization Act. of law would reform legal authorities to fight against UAS and would strengthen FAA oversight of drones, and expand counter-UAS activities to certain states and local law enforcement agencies.
“It is essential to extend these powers to New York State and our peers. Until these powers are granted to state and local officials, the Biden administration must intervene by directing enforcement forces additional federal orders to New York and the surrounding region to ensure the safety of our citizens and critical infrastructure.
The FAA says it is legal to fly a drone during the day or night as long as the operator flies less than 400 feet and does not pose a danger, but airspace restriction is a problem and it is what happened at Stewart Airfield.
New Jersey congressman wants to allow state police to track and shoot down flying objects
New Jersey Representative Chris Smith proposes legislation that gives state police the authority to act as quickly as possible against drones.
The Ocean County Sheriff’s Office said that with its own tethered drone, which can travel at about 40 mph, it was able to spot what it considers to be mysterious drones, which they believe were traveling at about 60 mph.
“This is a wake-up call. We have a month of inaction,” Smith said.
“For Washington to avoid these kinds of issues and say it’s just planes, right, that’s not good enough,” Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden said.
“Tell us. Stop hiding everything,” Smith said.
Smith plans to introduce legislation that would allow state police across the country to be trained in tracking and even shooting down flying objects. For now, only federal agencies can.
“A designated unit could probably be created. You know, having real experts… They would learn exactly what to do… How to destroy one and how to do it safely,” Smith said.
At this time, the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public not to call 911 if they think they see drones.
Golden says they should, however, call the non-emergency line if they see “five or six, coming in and out, at low altitude.”
“Now would be a good time to let us know locally and at the county level so we can investigate a little further,” he continued.
Smith plans to introduce his bill as soon as possible, potentially as early as next week.
This comes after New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy sent a letter to President Bidenasking for help from the federal government to combat drones.
“While I am sincerely grateful for your administration’s leadership in addressing this concerning issue, it has become clear that more resources are needed to fully understand what is behind this activity,” Murphy wrote.
Drone sightings have also been reported in Pennsylvania and other cities along the East Coast.
Zinnia Maldonado and Alecia Reid contributed to this report.
