NEW WINDSOR, NY — Drone activity forced the closure of runways at New York’s Stewart Airport Friday night, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul.
“Last night Stewart Airfield’s runways were closed for about an hour due to drone activity in the airspace. This has gone too far,” Hochul said in a statement released Saturday morning.
Hochul’s statement resonates a growing frustration among tristate area lawmakers demanding answers from the federal government about the origins of drones amid numerous reports of them flying over New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
White House officials have called suspected drone threats “not credible” and said many sightings are likely just from planes.
Growing frustration with drones in New York
Local officials have expressed concern about the federal response, especially after drones are reported about New York City.
“The people of Staten Island deserve answers, and the people of this city, state and region deserve answers about what the hell is going on,” Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella said.
Hochul’s statement Saturday also called on federal lawmakers to pass legislation that would strengthen the Federal Aviation Administration’s oversight of drones:
“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 those efforts continue. But to allow state law enforcement to work on this issue, I am now asking Congress to pass the Anti-UAS Safety, Security, and Reauthorization Act.This bill would reform the legal authorities to counter UAS The FAA’s oversight of drones and would expand anti-UAS activities to select state and local law enforcement agencies.”
“Extending these powers to New York State and our colleagues is essential. Until these powers are granted to state and local officials, the Biden Administration must step in by directing federal law enforcement in New York and the surrounding region to ensure the safety of our critical infrastructure and our people.”
New Jersey congressman wants to allow state police to track and shoot down flying objects
New Jersey Rep. Chris Smith is proposing legislation that would authorize state police to take action as soon as possible against drones.
The Ocean County Sheriff’s Office said with its own tethered drone, which can travel at about 40 mph, it was able to spot what it considers mystery drones, which they say were traveling at about 60 mph.
“This is the wake-up call. We have a month of no action,” Smith said.
“For Washington to avoid these kinds of issues and say it’s all 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 authorize the training of state police across the country in tracking and even removing flying objects. For now, only federal agencies can do this.
“A designated unit could probably be established … They would learn exactly what to do … How to bring one down and how to do it safely,” Smith said.
For now, the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office is telling the public not to call 911 if they think they spot drones.
Golden says they should, however, call the non-emergency line if they see “five or six, coming in and out, at low altitude.”
“This would be the time to notify us at the local and county level so we can investigate a little more,” he continued.
Smith plans to introduce his bill as soon as possible, potentially as early as next week.
It comes after New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy sent it a letter to President Bidenasking for the federal government’s help in addressing drones.
“While I am sincerely grateful for your administration’s leadership in addressing this troubling 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.
contributed to this report.