Officials Sound Warning About Flying Drones In Restricted LI Airspace

WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY —After "multiple accounts of drones" flying near Francis S. Gabreski Airport in Westhampton Beach, Suffolk County officials are taking action.

Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon and Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine joined other law enforcement, elected officials and Federal Aviation Administration representatives for a press event Friday, where officials addressed security and safety concerns sparked by "recent unauthorized drone activity" near the airport.

According to Toulon, incidents of drone activity in Suffolk County are continuing to grow, including reports of unauthorized drone flights in restricted airspace near airports.

"There have been multiple incidents dangerously close to this airport that are a clear violation of FAA regulations," Toulon said.

On December 13, one drone was reported outside Gabreski, on December 17, there were four reported in and around the airport, on December 24, there were six, and on December 25, Christmas Day, there were 17 drones reported, with 13 "hovering around the airspace" and three "immediately outside," Toulon said.

The drones, he said, "pose significant risk to air traffic and public safety."

Not only do the drones disturb usual airport functions, but there are also concerns in regard to the military operations that take place at Gabreski, Toulon said.

"Drones can be used maliciously," he said. "And this raises serious concerns about security and potential threats."

Not only do the drones stay in the air, but they crash into the water, into people's homes, and into airports and terminals when they lose signal, a battery fails, or other reasons, Toulon said.

Violating FAA regulations by flying drones in restricted air spaces represents a "serious offense," Toulon said, with the potential for civil and criminal penalties — with criminal penalties including fines of up to $250,000, and three years in prison; civil penalties can reach $27,500 and include seizure of drones and revocation of drone licenses, Toulon said.

If a drone crashes on a military facility, there will be both criminal and civil penalties, he said.

Toulon said officials are working with the Suffolk County Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services to implement an advanced drone detection technology system at Gabreski, so that there can be a rapid response to unauthorized drone activity.

With Christmas just a short time ago, Toulon said: "Many of you got drones as a gift. While they can be exciting and fun, it's essential to understand the rules and responsibilities that come with operation."

Individuals should make sure their drones, if over 5 lbs., are registered with the FAA. Also, drone operators should be familiar with FAA regulations, including "where you can and cannot fly," he said.

There are plenty of areas across Long Island where drones can be flown safely and legally, but it is illegal to fly the drones over restricted airspace near airports, he said.

"Our priority is the safety and security of residents and visitors," Toulon said.

Romaine held up a small, personal drone and said that the drones in question are "20 times larger — sometimes as large as a car," he said. "This is an ever-increasing problem."

Romaine called upon the FAA to empower the FBI to "begin investigation of these drones and to arrest and charge those using these very large drones illegally. Particularly in light of the fact that they are flying near this airport and threatening the airspace. We need the FAA and the FBI to step up and enforce the law."

Shooting the drones down is not an option, Romaine said, reminding that, "falling from the sky, they pose a grave danger."

He added: "This is a federal responsibility. We are asking the FAA to work with the FBI to come out and follow up on each of these drone reports. To determine who's behind it, and to prosecute where necessary."

Suffolk County Legislator Ann Welker, who represents the 2nd District, including Southampton and East Hampton, added: "These drones are not a toy and should not be treated as such."

Suffolk County Comptroller John Kennedy also spoke: "Not only is this a critical safety issue ,but there are multiple millions of dollars of investment here at Gabreski Airport. It's safety and, quite frankly, it's money."

Toulon urged anyone who knows of someone flying drones illegally over airspace to contact law enforcement; airspace for Gabreski extends for five miles, he said.

Officials said once the FRES mobile detection system is in place, perhaps as soon as Friday, law enforcement will be able to identify where the drones are taking off from and who owns them; the information will be used to find those owners and, if the purpose is nefarious, pursue criminal charges.

"Security and safety is a concern," Romaine said. "Can drones be used for nefarious purposes? Absolutely. This is why the FBI will work very closely with law enforcement in Suffolk County."

Toulon said another concern is that drones can be used to drop contraband, including drugs and guns, into prison yards where inmates congregate.

Over the past few weeks, mystery drones have been reported across Long Island in both Nassau and Suffolk Counties, including near Brookhaven Laboratory, and on the North Fork, as well in other areas of New York State and beyond.

Gov. Kathy Hochul said that in response to her calls for additional resources, the federal government has deployed a state-of-the-art drone detection system to New York.

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