A senior US official sought to ease concerns Sunday over the increasing number of drone sightings in the country’s northeast, insisting there is no known security threat as authorities monitor the situation closely.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas addressed the rising concerns, particularly over sightings in New York and New Jersey, affirming that the government is actively investigating the reports. He assured the American public that while some of the sightings involved actual drones, others were likely misidentified manned aircraft.
“Some of those drone sightings are, in fact, drones. Some are manned aircraft that are commonly mistaken for drones,” Mayorkas explained on ABC’s This Week program. “But there’s no question that drones are being sighted.”
The official confirmed that there was no indication of foreign involvement or criminal activity at this time. However, he emphasized that if any such activity was identified, it would be communicated promptly to the public.
The increase in drone sightings, which have been reported not only in New York and New Jersey but also in Maryland and Virginia, has raised alarm, particularly with social media footage fueling concerns.
Despite Mayorkas’ reassurances, the Biden administration has faced criticism for the lack of clarity regarding the origins of the drones. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a member of Biden’s party, called for improved cooperation between federal, state, and local authorities to detect and neutralize any potentially harmful drones. Schumer specifically urged the Department of Homeland Security to deploy specialised drone-detection systems, as traditional radar struggles to detect small drones.
“Right now, we need more,” Schumer said in a letter to Mayorkas, calling for legislation that would grant state and local law enforcement agencies the power to take action against drones posing a threat to critical infrastructure or public gatherings.
Meanwhile, two men were arrested in Boston on Saturday night for allegedly conducting a hazardous drone operation near Logan International Airport. Authorities are still searching for a third suspect believed to have fled the scene.
Frustration with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was voiced by Rep. Jim Himes, who expressed disappointment with the lack of clear communication regarding the drone sightings. Himes stressed that such uncertainty only breeds fear and conspiracy theories.
While the FAA previously stated that the drones could be misidentified aircraft, the White House national security spokesperson acknowledged the gaps in current authority, calling for new legislation to enhance counter-drone capabilities.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that a drone detection system would be deployed to her state and called for more action from Congress to empower authorities to tackle the growing concern.
As drones become more affordable and popular, with small models now costing as little as $40, their presence in US airspace has raised significant security and regulatory concerns.
