US agencies should use advanced technology to identify mysterious drones, Schumer says
After weeks of fear and bewilderment the drones buzz over parts of New York and New JerseyU.S. Senator Chuck Schumer is pushing the federal government to deploy better drone tracking technology to identify and ultimately stop the airborne pests.
The New York Democrat is calling on the Department of Homeland Security to immediately deploy special technology that identifies drones and tracks them back to their landing sites, according to briefings from his office.
Schumer’s calls come amid growing public concern that the federal government has failed to provide a clear explanation of who is controlling the drones and has failed to stop them. National security officials have said the drones do not appear to be a sign of foreign interference.
“A lot of us are quite frustrated right now,” Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said on Fox News Sunday. “The answer ‘We don’t know’ is not good enough.”
President-elect Donald Trump posted on social media last week: “Can this really happen without the knowledge of our government? I don’t think so. Let the public know, now. Otherwise you’ll shoot them.’
Certain agencies within the Department of Homeland Security have the power to “disable” drones, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos on Sunday. “But we need those authorities expanded,” he said, without saying exactly how.
The drones do not appear to have any ties to foreign governments, Mayorkas said.
“We know there is no foreign involvement in the sightings in the northeast. And we are vigilant as we investigate this matter,” Mayorkas said.
Last year, federal aviation regulations began requiring certain drones to broadcast their identities. It’s not clear whether that information was used to determine who is piloting the drones roaming New York and New Jersey. Mayorkas’ office did not immediately respond to questions about whether they were able to identify drones using this capability.
Schumer is calling for the use of newly released radar technology to help determine whether an object is a drone or a bird, identify its electronic record and track it back to the landing site.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said Sunday that federal officials are sending a drone detection system to the state.
“This system will assist state and federal law enforcement in their investigations,” Hochul said in a statement. The governor did not immediately provide additional details, including where the system will be deployed.
Dozens of mysterious overnight flights took off over New Jersey last month, raising concerns among residents and officials. Some of the concerns stem from the flying objects initially noticed near the Picatinny Arsenal, a US military research and production facility and above Trump’s golf course in Bedminster.
Drones are legal in New Jersey for recreational and commercial use, but they are subject to local and Federal Aviation Administration regulations and flight restrictions. Operators must be FAA certified.