Officials call on feds to identify, reveal source of 'car-sized' mystery drones after multiple HV sightings
In Orange County, authorities confirm there were sightings for hours Thursday evening in multiple communities including, Newburgh to Goshen, Town of Wallkill and Greenville.
Federal lawmakers are now calling on the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Federal Aviation Administration to provide information about a weekslong mystery drone probe after dozens of reports of unmanned aerial activity for the first time Thursday night throughout the Hudson Valley.
In Orange County, authorities confirm there were sightings for hours Thursday evening in multiple communities including Newburgh to Goshen, Town of Wallkill and Greenville.
News 12 viewers sent multiple images of drones circling in the night sky in several municipalities. One viewer in the Town of Wallkill said he captured a cluster of drones circling for at least two hours.
The mysterious drones have been seen in other parts of the tri-state area for weeks, including military installations and other sensitive areas – but federal authorities have not yet said who’s behind them.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Majority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer and U.S. Sens. Cory Booker and Andy Kim sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, FBI, and the FAA requesting a briefing on how the agencies are working with federal and local law enforcement to identify and address the source of recent unmanned aerial system activity in New York and New Jersey.
They noted that “since late November, communities in the New York City area and northern New Jersey have reported several incidents of unattributable drone sightings at night, alarming both residents and local law enforcement” and highlighted that “the potential safety and security risks posed by these drones in civilian areas is especially pertinent considering recent drone incursions at sensitive military sites in and outside of the continental United States over the past year.”
Rockland County Executive Ed Day says there were four sightings in Rockland Thursday night and that he’s since written to the Biden Administration about his concerns.
“We are demanding information. The way this is being handled is just no good. It’s insulting to the people of the United States of America. We need answers about what’s going on,” says Day. “Don’t tell people you have nothing to worry about and then tell them we don’t know what the hell it is. That’s just ridiculous and makes no sense whatsoever.”
Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus said the drones are large, industrial type drones that are in some cases the size of a small vehicle. He said they are unregistered and, in Orange County, were flying over Stewart International Airport and Orange County Airport Thursday night in restricted airspace.
“This is not the drone you buy at Walmart for Christmas for your kid. They are huge. Industrial size. The size of a small car,” says Neuahus. “They were in airspace they weren’t supposed to be in. Same thing near West Point.”
Neuhaus says law enforcement in Orange County will attempt to shoot down any drones in restricted airspace that pose a threat to aircraft with firearms meant for duck hunting.
Officials, however, remind civilian members of the public that it’s a federal crime for those who are not members of law-enforcement to shoot down a drone. New York State Police and White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby say there is no indication that the sightings pose a threat to public safety.
"We have not been able to and neither has state or local law-enforcement, corroborate any of the reported visual sightings. To the contrary, upon review of available imagery it appears many of the reported sightings are manned aircraft bearing operated lawfully," Kirby said Thursday at a press briefing.
Officials ask drone reports to be provided to the FBI via their hotline at 800-225-5324 or online at tips.fbi.gov/home. Tips in New York can also be sent to the state police by email at crimetip@troopers.ny.gov.
“The public is going to help solve this because these drones have to land somewhere,” says Neuhaus. “We are going to be able to pinpoint where they originated from.”
