In response to a surge in drone activity across New York, federal officials have decided to impose temporary restrictions on these unmanned aerial vehicles over specific areas throughout the state, as stated by the governor on Thursday.

This decision follows a notable increase in drone sightings that have raised concerns among residents in New Jersey and along the East Coast, stirring unease and prompting reactions from local leaders.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul released a statement indicating her conversation with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who revealed that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will enforce short-term flight bans over locations deemed as “critical infrastructure.”

“This measure is strictly a precaution; there are no threats to these sites,” Governor Hochul clarified. “We will keep a close watch on the situation while urging Congress to pass laws that empower state and local law enforcement with the necessary authority and resources to handle this evolving technology. Ensuring public safety is my utmost priority, and I am committed to protecting my constituents.”

Locations in areas like Queens, Bronx, Staten Island, and Yonkers are included in the FAA’s latest drone restriction announcements.

The Department of Homeland Security defines critical infrastructure as encompassing highways, significant bridges, tunnels, railways, utilities, and buildings essential for maintaining everyday life.

The uptick in drone sightings has prompted strong reactions from lawmakers at various levels, including President-elect Donald Trump, who expressed skepticism about how this drone activity could occur without government awareness: “Can this really be happening without our government’s knowledge? I don’t think so!”

Trump, along with other officials, has suggested that military forces should consider removing the drones to ascertain their nature. Civilians have also voiced their readiness to take action against these aircraft.

The exact source of these unusual sightings remains unidentified.

What are Drones?

Drones are unmanned aerial vehicles operated remotely and are popular among hobbyists, commercial users, and the military for various applications.

These aircraft are under the regulation of the FAA, which oversees the U.S. airspace. According to the FAA, there are nearly 800,000 drones registered for both commercial and recreational use.

New Jersey Drone Restrictions

On Thursday, the FAA also announced restrictions aimed at reducing drone flights over power stations and other crucial infrastructure in New Jersey. These regulations limit drone altitude to 400 feet and do not apply to private planes or helicopters.

“In response to requests from federal security partners, the FAA issued 22 Temporary Flight Restrictions banning drone flights over critical infrastructure in New Jersey,” the agency stated in its announcement.