N.Y. Gov. Hochul, N.J. Gov. Murphy seek federal help with unidentified drones

New York’s Staten Island. Both New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and New York Governor Kathy Hochul have expressed their concerns to President Joe Biden and are calling for federal probes into the recent spike in drone sightings over both states.

Drones the size of SUVs have been spotted in the skies for weeks, according to reports from both officials and citizens. These mysterious drones have been observed in several states, including New Jersey, and on Staten Island.

Hochul said on social media on Friday that the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security are among the federal partners with which New York authorities are collaborating. She stated on X that the goal of the coordination is to safeguard New Yorkers.

We are looking into reports that people in New York have seen drones in the sky this week. There is currently no proof that these drones represent a threat to national security or public safety.To protect New Yorkers, we are working with federal partners including the FBI and DHSgov.

Hochul asserts in that same post that there is no proof that these drones represent a threat to national security or public safety.

Residents in New Jersey, which has gained a lot of attention due to the volume of reports, are looking for clarification.

Despite the pressure, Murphy claims to have written to Biden to voice his worries about reports of drones, which he refers to as unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).

On Friday, Murphy also shared on X that he had written Biden the letter due to his concerns regarding UAS in and around the airspace of New Jersey.

Concerns regarding reports of unmanned aircraft systems in and around NJ airspace prompted me to write to @POTUS.Given that current legislation restricts state and local law enforcement’s ability to combat UAS, further federal resources are required to comprehend the motivations behind this behavior.mkeUeW7ury pic.twitter.com/

Murphy stated in the post that further federal resources are required to comprehend the motivations behind this action because current rules restrict state and local law enforcement’s capacity to combat UAS.

Murphy argued that current laws and procedures have made it difficult for local law enforcement to effectively combat UAS, despite the fact that they have become a commonplace aspect of American society over the past ten years.

The governor stated that he believes additional resources are required to completely comprehend the motivations behind this behavior, notwithstanding Murphy’s appreciation for the federal government’s interest.

Murphy noted in his letter that the people of New Jersey should have more specific information about these UAS sightings and the reasons behind them. Conspiracy theories have proliferated on social media and other platforms as a result of the ongoing reporting of UAS activity, which has left more questions than answers.

Staten Island officials call on NYPD

Local Staten Island lawmakers gathered in Fort Wadsworthon Park Friday to demand answers and an NYPD probe while local governors went about their business.

Borough President Vito Fossella stated, “Take the initiative, be honest and truthful with the American people, the people of Staten Island, and solve this problem once and for all.”

Borough President Vito Fossella, pictured with Councilman David Carr, Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, James Clinton, a staffer for District Attorney Michael McMahon, and Michelle Landi, Councilman Joseph Borelli’s deputy chief of staff, leads a press conference in Fort Wadsworth on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, demanding further information regarding drones seen in the Staten Island area. It is stated that Paul Liotta and the Staten Island Advance

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not yet implemented air restrictions over Staten Island or other areas of New York City, despite reports of drones flying over military sites like Fort Wadsworth and Fort Hamilton. The FAA has imposed aviation limitations on New Jersey’s Picatinny Arsenal Military Base and President-elect Donald Trump’s Bedminster Golf Club in response to the drone sightings.

A request for comment has been forwarded by the NYPD to federal authorities, who have dismissed the public’s worries.

According to White House national security communications adviser John Kirby, a large portion of reported drone sightings are actually people mistaking lawfully functioning manned aircraft, Kirby said Thursday.

In addition, Kirby disputes military officials’ claims that there have been any sightings in any restricted airspace, as NJ.com reports.

According to Rep. Nicole Mallitoakis (R-Staten Island/South Brooklyn), our government is not disclosing who is using the drones or why. All we’re asking is that you just tell us what’s happening and be honest with us.