Unidentified Drones In Staten Island Airspace: Local Politicians Urge Inclusion Of Borough In FAA Investigation
Unidentified Drones In Staten Island Airspace: Local Politicians Urge Inclusion Of Borough In FAA Investigation
Editor’s note: Staten Islander previously reported on usage of new drone technologies to assist first responders by arriving more quickly. Drones are also being used to stop Subway Outside Surfing, or Train Surfing, which is a problem among young people in the city.
Residents of Staten Island and multiple areas around the city and New Jersey have been reporting sightings of large drones, often the size of a car or military tank, flying overhead in near silence. It is unknown who is flying these drones, if they are manned or not, and what their intention is. This may be a security issue, and the FBI has asked concerned residents who see these drones to send photos and videos to them to aid in their investigation into the matter. Following are statements from local politicians about the drones.
Rep. Malliotakis Statement on Unidentified Drones Flying Over Staten Island
(STATEN ISLAND, NY) – Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis released the following statement regarding reports that unidentified drones are flying over Staten Island’s airspace, including near 1441 South Ave., Howland Hook Marine Terminal, and other parts of the island.
“Following reports of unidentified flying objects that appear to be drones flying above Staten Island, I’ve requested that the Federal Aviation Administration impose temporary drone flight restrictions in the area, in addition to requesting immediate briefings from the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Bureau of Investigation. Authorities should swiftly investigate these reports and share with the public the purpose of these drones. I urge anyone who sees the drones to notify the FBI by calling 1-800-225-5324 and submit any video footage obtained at www.tips.fbi.gov.”
Following is the full text of Borough President Fossella’s letter to the FAA on the Drone Situation, Particularly Over Staten Island:
We have recently been made aware of large, military-style drones flying over parts of New Jersey during the past few weeks.
It has also come to our attention from concerned residents and within the media that these drones have now been flying over Staten Island during the past few days.
It is odd and quite bizarre that nobody can figure out who is flying these drones, where they are coming from, and their purpose. It has been reported that some of the drones may be flying without an active transponder, adding to the concern about their whereabouts.
It is not just a bizarre situation, but also a concerning one, as it seems these drones can potentially become a danger to personal safety.
It was recently reported that, during a medical emergency resulting from a crash in Branchburg, New Jersey, the presence of these drones prevented a medevac helicopter from being able to transport a seriously injured patient to the hospital.
It stands to question, what else could these drones be impacting?
Staten Island is home to two hospital systems, and the potential for these drones to impede lifesaving care in medical emergencies is deeply concerning.
Now, in light of the sudden appearance of these drones, and should your agencies already be investigating these occurrences in New Jersey, we request that such investigations may be expanded to Staten Island.
BP Fossella Requests Staten Island Airspace Be Included in FBI Drone Investigation
Staten Island, NY – Borough President Vito Fossella today issued a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration and the Federal Bureau of Investigation requesting that an FBI investigation into recent drone sightings include the Staten Island airspace.
The letter comes in light of the recent sighting of numerous large, military-style drones in the airspace over New Jersey and Staten Island.
Since November 18th, sightings of these drones have been reported across New Jersey, leading the FAA to issue temporary flight restrictions over Morris and Somerset counties. One instance of drone flights prevented a medevac helicopter from being able to transport a seriously injured crash victim in Branchburg Township to the hospital.
Now, as recently as Tuesday, these drones have been sighted over Staten Island, particularly over Howland Hook Marine Terminal and the West Shore.
To date, the owner, origin, and purpose of these drones continues to be a mystery.
Citing the “potential for these drones to impede life-saving care in medical emergencies”, especially given Staten Island’s large medical institutions, the Borough President is seeking the expansion of any investigations into the drone occurrences in New Jersey to Staten Island airspace.
Rep. Malliotakis Participates in Homeland Security Committee Hearing on Drone Sightings
(WASHINGTON, DC) – On December 10th, Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis participated in the House Committee on Homeland Security hearing titled “Safeguarding the Homeland from Unmanned Aerial Systems.” Recently, unmanned aircrafts were observed flying above the Verrazzano Bridge, which connects Staten Island’s Fort Wadsworth U.S. Coast Guard base, and Brooklyn’s Fort Hamilton U.S. Army base.
The List of Witnesses Include:
- Keith Jones, Deputy Executive Assistant Commissioner of Air and Marine Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- Robert W. Wheeler Jr., Assistant Director of the Critical Incident Response Group, Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Brad Wiegmann, Deputy Assistant Attorney General for National Security, Department of Justice
- Cathy Lanier, Chief Security Officer, National Football League
- Paul Schwennesen, PhD, Co-Director, Global Strategy Decisions Group
- Jeffrey Baumgartner, Vice President of National Security and Resilience, Berkshire Hathaway Energy
The hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 2:00 PM. You can watch the hearing below.
Banner Image: Drone flying over snow. Image Credit – Iewek Gnos
Staten Islander News Service Staff Writer
This byline indicates that this article was penned by a member/members of the Staten Islander News Organization office team. Our staff writers are the backbone of our newspaper, performing all sorts of important tasks like conducting interviews, investigating leads, besides writing the news stories you see.
I’d like to say the Captcha showed no letters just now. Weird.
Not being paranoid, but very weird.
And now I see my username in the background on the refreshed captcha. What gives? Are you watching me?!
Also. This is the worst coverage of the drones around. Obviously, your editors feel that covering graduation ceremonies for TLC cops is more important than a potential alien invasion!! Sad, very sad.
👽👽👽👽👽👽👽👽👽👽👽👽👽👽👽👽👽👽👽👽👽👽👽👽
“Not being paranoid”
ummmmmmmmmmmmm..
yes..
you are.
Get better meds.
Big f***** deal. It’s a lot of exaggeration. For instance the BS about the clock changing and then changing back. Do you know anything about electronics? That didn’t happen. I smell fresh cow manure!
And here’s how you know.
1. My neighbor tells me his cousin had that experience. Really? His cousin was the guy in the news story. What a ****** lair this guy is. I’d like to knock his teeth out one day, but I remain civil, always. The man can’t stop running his mouth.
2. My own sister tells me she heard a drone. But now only after everyone else. She can’t remember I talked with her yesterday and her details are just the details I told her some people experience on the news I watched. Another BS artist.
Soooo what’s really going on? Provably just hobby drones. I think it’s a game of telephone. And the photos all suck! Videos are horrendous! Half of them are of planes and helicopters, too. Is it just me or is this emperor wears no clothes? Get a grip, people. Don’t be like the ****** out there. Don’t spread fake rumors.
“Do you know anything about electronics? ”
Do you, Jenn? Just asking…
“Do you, Jenn? Just asking…”
How ’bout you, fella’? What do you know? I can’t understand even what you’re trying to say here. Be clear.
Are you saying that a digital clock can flip back and forth based on a drone being nearby, disagreeing with this young lady that this can’t happen?
Or, are you saying something else, entirely?
Sounds like a put-down because she’s a woman. I’ve known tech gals that would make you realize you know nothing about how a light bulb works, even.
I say it may be a case of mass confusion.
Lemme explain.
See here: How long has everyone been steady looking up at the skies?Almost all people making reports aren’t qualified. They can’t even tell the difference between a plane and a gliding drone or a helicopter and a quad-copter drone.
Everyone I see tell me they seeing drones. Maybe they did? I haven’t yet.
Many people on this island say so, sop for it to just be a lie by design I doubt. I think they confused maybe and now the idea of -drone- is in their minds and they see a -drone- when it is just whatever.
Please show me ONE good video. They let you put links in here you know. So share them if you have them.