New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the federal government will send “a next-generation drone detection system” to her state amid a series of drone sightings in New York and New Jersey in recent days that have caused alarm.
While he did not give further details about the system that will be implemented, “it will support state and federal authorities in their investigations,” he said. saying in a statement Sunday morning.
“I am grateful for the support, but we need more. “Congress must pass a law that gives us the power to directly deal with drones,” the governor said. wrote on social platform He urged Congress to pass the Counter-UAS Authority Reauthorization and Security Act that will give states “the authority and resources necessary to respond to circumstances like the ones we face today.”
It’s unclear whether the federal government sent a similar system to New Jersey, where most of the drone sightings occurred, or in other states. Over the weekend, swarms of drones were detected in other East Coast states. including Maryland.
On Saturday, Hochul said a drone sighting closed Stewart International Airport, a small airport located in Orange County within the Hudson Valley.
“Last night, the runways at Stewart Airfield were closed for approximately one hour due to drone activity in the airspace,” the governor said. saying in a statement. “This has gone too far.”
Hochul then called on the federal government to provide assistance in dealing with unmanned vehicles, adding that federal rules make it difficult for the state to deal with drones.
“Extending these powers to the state of New York and our peers is essential,” the governor also said. “Until those powers are granted to state and local officials, the Biden administration must intervene by sending additional federal forces to New York and the surrounding region to ensure the safety of our critical infrastructure and our people.”
Last week, federal officials emphasized that there is no evidence that drones pose a threat to public safety or the security of the United States, while asserting that the drones are not being operated by a foreign adversary such as Iran or China.
On Sunday morning, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas suggested in an interview with ABC News that drones were also not flying around sensitive military sites.
Despite assurances from federal officials, several elected officials have called on the government to shoot down the drones.
“Could this really be happening without our government’s knowledge?” President-elect Donald Trump wrote on social media over the weekend. “I don’t think so! Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them.”
Several lawmakers, including Rep. Chris Smith (R.N.J.), have made similar suggestions. One Democrat, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), said Last week, journalists said drones should also be “shot down, if necessary.”
“We should do some very urgent intelligence analysis and get them out of the sky, especially if they fly over airports or military bases,” he said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
