December 15th 2024.
In recent weeks, residents of New York and New Jersey have been living in fear and confusion as drones continue to buzz over their neighborhoods. This has prompted elected officials to take action and find a way to identify and stop these mysterious flights.
Rep. Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, expressed his frustration on a recent appearance on "Fox News Sunday," stating that the answer of "we don't know" is insufficient. National security officials have reassured the public that the drones do not pose a threat to public safety and are not a sign of foreign interference. However, the fact that they cannot determine who is responsible for these drone sightings or how to stop them has led to a demand for better technology and powers to handle the situation.
Senator Chuck Schumer has called for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to deploy advanced drone-tracking technology to identify and locate the drones and their operators. He stated that the people of New York have many questions about the ongoing drone sightings and they deserve answers.
During media briefings on Sunday morning, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas assured the public that they are actively working with state and local authorities to address the issue. He also clarified that some of the reported drones were actually manned aircraft, which are often mistaken for drones. Mayorkas also stated that there is no evidence of foreign involvement in these sightings and they are diligently investigating the matter.
Last year, federal aviation rules were implemented to require certain drones to broadcast their remote identification, including the location of their operators. However, it is not clear if this information has been used to identify the responsible parties behind these drones. Schumer is urging the federal government to use a recently declassified radio wave technology in New York and New Jersey, which can determine the identity and location of a drone.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Sunday that federal officials will be sending a drone detection system to the state to assist in the ongoing investigations. The governor did not provide further details on where the system will be deployed.
The sightings of these mysterious drones have caused concern among residents and officials, especially since they were initially spotted near a U.S. military facility and over President-elect Donald Trump's golf course in Bedminster. While drones are legal for recreational and commercial use in New Jersey, they must adhere to local and Federal Aviation Administration regulations and flight restrictions, and operators must be FAA certified.
Reports of similar drone sightings have also surfaced along the northern East Coast, including Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. This has raised concerns and prompted some politicians, including Trump, to call for stronger action against these drones, even suggesting shooting them down.
Secretary Mayorkas clarified that certain agencies within the Department of Homeland Security have the power to "incapacitate" drones, but he believes that their authority should be expanded. A bill in the U.S. Senate aims to enhance the authority of federal agencies and give new abilities to local and state agencies to track and even disable drones. It also proposes a pilot program that would allow states and local authorities to take action against drones without prior consent from the operator.
Representative Mike Waltz, Trump's pick for national security adviser, expressed his concern about the lack of coordination between different agencies in handling this issue. He believes that Americans find it hard to believe that the authorities cannot determine the source of these drones.
In conclusion, the ongoing drone sightings have highlighted the need for better technology and expanded powers for authorities to handle similar situations in the future. It has also exposed gaps in communication and coordination between different agencies. As the investigations continue, residents can only hope for a quick resolution to this unsettling issue.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
