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