Reports of mysterious drone sightings over parts of New York and New Jersey have sparked bipartisan calls to do something about it. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer urged the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to deploy advanced drone-tracking technology to identify the source of these unexplained flights. The flights, which began last month, alarmed residents and officials, particularly after being reported near sensitive locations like Picatinny Arsenal and Trump’s golf course in Bedminster.
Despite federal aviation rules requiring drones to broadcast their remote identification, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas admitted on Sunday that authorities have yet to identify the operators. “There’s no question people are seeing drones, but I want to assure the public that we are on it,” he said during an ABC interview.
Schumer proposed employing newly declassified radio wave technology that can differentiate between drones and other objects, read their electronic registration, and track them back to their operators. Such technology could fill the existing gaps in state and local authorities’ ability to deal with the problem. New York Governor Kathy Hochul said that federal officials are sending a drone detection system to the state to support investigations.
As while the officials have said that no indication of foreign interference is being found and no immediate threats to public safety, concern remains. The drones now have been reported across northern East Coast, including Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
Adding to the urgency, some officials, including former President Trump, have called for aggressive measures such as shooting down drones. DHS currently has limited authority to “incapacitate” drones, but pending Senate legislation could expand these powers. The proposed bill would also empower state and local agencies to track and disrupt drones under a pilot program.
“This issue reveals significant gaps in inter-agency coordination,” said Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., during a CBS interview. “Americans are finding it hard to believe we can’t figure out where these are coming from.”
Moves are now underway to correct these gaps and to let the public know that US airspace is safe and secure.
