Drone tracking/ Schumer drones/ mystery drones New York/ drone legislation/ Homeland Security drones/ BOSTON/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Mysterious drone swarms across New York, New Jersey, and other states have sparked bipartisan calls for action. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is urging the Department of Homeland Security to deploy advanced drone-tracking technologies, including a recently declassified radio wave system. Federal agencies have yet to identify the operators or origins of the drones, raising concerns about regulatory gaps and public safety.
Drone Crisis in U.S. Skies: Quick Looks
- Mysterious Flights: Drones have been sighted over military facilities and public areas in multiple states.
- Schumer’s Call to Action: The Senate majority leader wants federal agencies to use advanced tracking technology.
- Federal Challenges: Despite new FAA rules requiring drone ID broadcasts, the origins of the flights remain unknown.
- Legislative Push: A proposed Senate bill would expand state and federal powers to track and neutralize drones.
- National Security Concerns: Some drones were spotted near sensitive sites, including President-elect Trump’s golf course.
Schumer Urges Tech Boost to Identify Mystery Drones in U.S. Skies
Deep Look
The Growing Drone Mystery
Over the past month, mysterious drone swarms have been reported across the northeastern United States, with sightings in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and beyond. While drones are legal for recreational and commercial use under FAA regulations, their sudden appearance near sensitive locations like New Jersey’s Picatinny Arsenal and Trump’s Bedminster golf course has alarmed residents and officials alike.
“There’s no question people are seeing drones,” Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said, but he assured the public that investigations are ongoing. However, many drones initially thought to be unmanned were later identified as manned aircraft, adding to the confusion.
Schumer’s Proposal
Senator Chuck Schumer has called for the deployment of advanced tracking systems to identify and trace drones back to their operators. He specifically suggested using recently declassified radio wave detection technology that can distinguish between birds and drones, identify electronic registrations, and track drones to their landing sites.
“This isn’t just about technology—it’s about trust and public safety,” Schumer said.
Gaps in Drone Regulation
Despite FAA rules introduced last year requiring drones to broadcast remote identification, federal agencies have not confirmed whether they have used this capability to track the drones. Homeland Security has the authority to “incapacitate” drones in certain situations but is seeking expanded powers to address the growing issue.
Proposed legislation in the Senate would grant state and local authorities the ability to track, disrupt, or disable drones without prior consent from operators.
Local and Federal Coordination
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Sunday that federal officials would send a drone detection system to the state to assist law enforcement. The system’s deployment details remain unclear, but officials hope it will help address public concerns.
“This system will support state and federal law enforcement in their investigations,” Hochul said in a statement.
National Security Implications
The drone sightings have raised alarms about potential security risks, particularly given their proximity to critical infrastructure and high-profile locations. Rep. Mike Waltz, Trump’s national security adviser pick, underscored the urgency of addressing these gaps in U.S. drone policy.
“What the drone issue points out are gaps in our agencies, gaps in our authorities,” Waltz said. “Americans are finding it hard to believe we can’t figure out where these are coming from.”
Stronger Measures Considered
Some lawmakers, including President-elect Trump, have proposed more aggressive responses, such as shooting down unidentified drones. However, officials are advocating for a measured approach involving advanced technology and better coordination between local, state, and federal agencies.
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