US Senator requests drone detection systems amid mystery sightings

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News Websites
16 Dec 2024 08:28

Chuck Schumer requests the deployment of special drone detecting systems in New York and New Jersey following the recurrence of unexplained drone sightings.

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Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., listens during a news conference after a policy luncheon on Capitol Hill Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, in Washington. (AP)

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is working to pass a bill aimed at providing local law enforcement with additional tools for drone detection after a series of unexplained drone sightings in Northeastern states.

Schumer took the matter online and requested that Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas provide "special drone-detection tech" for New York and New Jersey following several unexplained sightings of unidentified flying objects over their skies, forcing NY Stewart International Airport to shut down on Friday.

I’m pushing for answers amid these drone sightings.

I’m calling for @SecMayorkas to deploy special drone-detection tech across NY and NJ.

And I’m working to pass a bill in the Senate to give local law enforcement more tools for drone detection.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) December 15, 2024

Speaking to reporters, Schumer revealed that the detection systems requested were the Robin Radar Systems, reportedly specialized for their 360-degree technology. "If the technology exists for a drone to make it up into the sky, there certainly is technology that can track the craft with precision and determine what the heck is going on, and that's what the Robin does," he added.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) said in an online statement on Sunday that "our federal partners" are "deploying a state-of-the-art drone detection system" to New York, which she noted would aid both state and federal law enforcement in their investigations. However, she emphasized that additional support is still required.

Moreover, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, who reposted Schumer's call, urged President Joe Biden to increase investigation efforts into the drone sightings, adding that he met with N.J. State Police officials and radar technicians, who have been monitoring the area in search of unmanned aircraft systems.

"The public deserves clear answers — we will keep pushing the federal government for more information and resources," he stated, noting that "We are ready to assist the federal government in getting to the bottom of this," following a meeting with an FBI official.

Mayorkas, on the other hand, stated on X that the Biden administration had deployed technology to New Jersey, noting that many of the "reported sightings have turned out to be piloted aircraft," a conclusion confirmed by the technology sent there.

Speaking on ABC News' This Week earlier Sunday, he also asserted that there is no evidence of "foreign involvement in the sightings in the Northeast."

We understand why residents are concerned. In response and in close coordination with the @NJSP and other law enforcement, @DHSGov quickly deployed personnel and technology to support. We are also assisting @FBI in its investigation.
— Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas (@SecMayorkas) December 15, 2024

NJ drone sightings could be 'classified exercise': Ex-CIA official

Former CIA Operations officer Laura Ballman said the unexplained drone sightings are "very disconcerting" as the public seeks explanations on Fox News Live.

Ballman suggested that the circumstances surrounding the drone sightings imply a US involvement.

"Deducing the statements from [National Security spokesman] John Kirby that these drones are not operating illegally, coupled with several op-eds that have been out there in the last 24 hours about the need to look at our detection systems, makes me think perhaps this is actually a classified exercise to test either evasion technology or detection technology in urban areas," Ballman said.

Ballman went on to add she would be "shocked" if the drones were linked to the CIA since it is "not their mandate to operate in the United States," noting that she is "troubled" by the reason why the US government has not been forthright with information on the drones.

US House Intelligence Committee member Josh Gottheimer has criticized the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security for withholding information about mysterious drones spotted over New Jersey and New York suburbs in recent weeks.

In an interview for CNN, Gottheimer said that the FBI and DHS “have a responsibility to brief the public more thoroughly…They are not providing enough information to the public, and the public is concerned."