Governors Hochul and Murphy are raising alarms over unexplained drones disrupting airspace in New York and New Jersey. As investigators race for answers, calls to empower local law enforcement with advanced counter-drone technology are growing louder.
In a scene straight out of a sci-fi thriller, a flurry of mysterious drone activity forced the shutdown of New York’s Stewart International Airport on Friday night. The airspace chaos prompted Governor Kathy Hochul to issue a statement Saturday, declaring, “This has gone too far.”
Drones have become the talk of the region, with sightings reported not only in New York but also across neighboring New Jersey and beyond. The FBI has received over 3,000 tips tied to these unexplained aerial incursions, most occurring under the cover of darkness. While no immediate threat to public safety or national security has been identified, the sheer volume of reports has residents, lawmakers, and law enforcement on edge.
“Last night, the runways at Stewart Airfield were shut down for approximately one hour due to drone activity in the airspace,” Hochul confirmed. Located in New Windsor, just over an hour from Manhattan, the airport’s temporary closure is emblematic of the broader disruption drones are causing across the region.
A Growing Mystery
The New York State Police (NYSP) reported Friday that they’ve been inundated with “numerous reports of drone sightings over the past 24 hours.” While the NYSP assured the public there’s currently “no evidence that the reported sightings pose a public safety threat,” their investigations are in full swing, involving both federal and local partners.
The FBI and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) weighed in with a joint statement, emphasizing there’s no indication of foreign involvement or malicious intent—yet. Still, with sightings multiplying, questions remain unanswered.
Hochul and Murphy Demand Federal Support
Governor Hochul isn’t waiting idly. She revealed on Saturday that she had already directed the New York State Intelligence Center in mid-November to ramp up investigations and collaborate with federal authorities. Now, she’s urging Congress to act decisively by passing the Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act.
“This bill would reform legal authorities to counter unmanned aircraft systems and strengthen the FAA’s oversight of drones,” Hochul said. She also called on the Biden Administration to deploy additional federal law enforcement to the region, underscoring the need to protect critical infrastructure and public safety.
Meanwhile, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy is sounding alarms of his own. In a letter to President Biden on Friday, Murphy called for more federal resources to address the drone activity troubling the Garden State’s skies since mid-November. While New Jersey State Police have been working with the FBI and DHS, Murphy’s message was clear: it’s not enough.
“It has become apparent that more resources are needed to fully understand what is behind this activity,” Murphy wrote. In a separate letter to congressional leaders, he echoed Hochul’s plea for reauthorization of federal counter-UAS authority, warning that without it, state and local agencies are hamstrung.
The Need for Advanced Technology
Murphy stressed the urgency of equipping law enforcement with cutting-edge detection and mitigation tools. “Empowering state and local police with advanced detection and mitigation technology is critical to addressing this issue,” he said.
With drone sightings continuing to mystify the region, officials are doubling down on efforts to unravel the mystery while ensuring the safety of residents and critical infrastructure. For now, the drones remain an enigma, but their presence is forcing a serious conversation about the future of airspace security.
