Feds Deploy Drone Detection System To New York, Governor Says

NEW YORK — The governor said the federal government is deploying technology to help reassure New Yorkers in the face of a rash of mysterious drone sightings.

"In response to my calls for additional resources, our federal partners are deploying a state-of-the-art drone detection system to New York State," Gov. Kathy Hochul said on Sunday. "This system will support state and federal law enforcement in their investigations. We are grateful to the Biden Administration for their support, but ultimately we need further assistance from Congress. Passing the Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act will give New York and our peers the authority and resources required to respond to circumstances like we face today."

SEE ALSO:

• NY Officials Urge Calm Amid Reports Of Mysterious Drone Sightings
• Stewart Airport Runways Shut For 1 Hour Due To Drones: Gov. Hochul

The growing concerns over unexplained drone sightings in New York and other east coast states came to a head in recent days.

The runways at Stewart International Airport were shut down for about one hour Friday night because of drone activity in the airspace, Hochul said.

The Hudson Valley airport is also home to Stewart Air National Guard Base.

"Last night, the runways at Stewart Airfield were shut down for approximately one hour due to drone activity in the airspace," Hochul said in a statement on Saturday. "This has gone too far."

The New York governor called on federal authorities to get to the bottom of a string of mysterious drone sightings in the region.

"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 are ongoing," Hochul said. "But in order to allow state law enforcement to work on this issue, I am now calling on Congress to pass the Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act. This bill would reform legal authorities to counter-UAS and strengthen the FAA’s oversight of drones, and would extend counter-UAS activities to select state and local law enforcement agencies."