The Federal Aviation Administration has temporarily banned the use of drones at “critical infrastructure” sites in New York City until mid-January. This comes just hours after the agency instituted similar restrictions in New Jersey following weeks of panic over mysterious flying objects.
The temporary air restrictions, which will be in effect from Friday until Jan. 19, will be in place near JFK International Airport and LaGuardia Airport in Queens, as well as other locations in Brooklyn and Staten Island, the FAA said.
Gov. Cathy Hochul said the new measures are purely precautionary and come at the same time as the state-of-the-art drone detection system the Biden-Harris administration delivered to the Big Apple this week.
“Since mid-November, New York State has been closely monitoring reports of drone activity and has been in close contact with our federal partners,” Hochul said.
“I have spoken numerous times with Secretary Mayorkas and have just been informed that he is coordinating with federal partners and the FAA plans to place temporary flight restrictions on some of New York's critical infrastructure facilities. “This measure is purely precautionary.'' There is no threat to these sites. ”
The FAA also banned drone operations in large, densely populated areas of New Jersey until January 17, and the government could respond with “lethal force” against threatening drones. he warned.
Affected areas include Jersey City, Bayonne, Elizabeth, Harrison, Kearney, Edison, Bridgewater, Cedar Grove, Hamilton, North & South Brunswick, Branchburg, Woodbridge, Clifton, Westampton, Winslow, Gloucester City, Includes Camden.
If a drone pilot violates restricted airspace, the drone could be intercepted and “detained and questioned by law enforcement and security personnel,” officials said.
The FAA warned trespassers that their operators' certificates could be suspended or revoked and they could face criminal charges.
A spate of drone sightings in recent months, primarily over parts of New Jersey and New York, have raised alarm among locals and led authorities to fear foreign agents may be behind it. Security concerns are also increasing.
Since the drone first appeared over New Jersey on Nov. 18, the FBI has received 5,000 reports of sightings in the tri-state area, according to a statement Monday from the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, FAA and Federal Aviation Administration. The above information has been received. Department of Defense.
The Post reported this week that there have been reports of sightings near at least 17 U.S. military facilities near Chinese-owned sites and as far away as Hawaii and Utah.
Despite repeated calls from local residents and government officials for action to at least get answers about the mysterious flying object, the White House has largely downplayed concerns.
The Department of Homeland Security and the FBI announced Monday that they will be belatedly deploying drone detection technology and infrared cameras to determine what kind of threat posed by unidentified flying objects.
