Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has urged the deployment of “special detection systems” in New York and New Jersey due to growing concerns among residents following numerous drone sightings.

On Sunday, Schumer shared with the media that he submitted a request to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to utilize Robin Radar Systems, highlighting its superior ability to detect drones thanks to its “360-degree technology.” This initiative follows a series of drone sightings in the Northeast over the past month, including incidents that led to a temporary closure of a New York airport on Friday.

“We’ve seen many recent sightings in New York, New Jersey, Long Island, and Staten Island. It’s astonishing, with these sightings increasing, that we have more questions than answers,” Schumer stated. “If a drone can be sent into the sky, then there must be technology available to track these devices accurately.”

Earlier that day, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced that the federal government is “deploying additional resources” to deal with the drone issue.

“There is no doubt that people are spotting drones,” Mayorkas confirmed on ABC News “This Week.” “I want to reassure the American public that we are enhancing our resources, personnel, and technology to assist the New Jersey State Police in managing the drone sightings.”

Mayorkas noted that there are over 1 million registered drones in the U.S. Recently, a Chinese national in Northern California was arrested on suspicion of operating a drone in restricted airspace over Vandenberg Space Force Base, according to Mayorkas.

“Our duty is to remain alert,” he emphasized. “If there are any concerns or indications of foreign involvement or illegal activity, we will inform the American public accordingly. Currently, we are not aware of any such issues.”

Witnesses have reported clusters of lights resembling drones hovering above populated areas in New Jersey. The reports have also extended to New York and Maryland, capturing the attention of residents and elected officials.

President-elect Donald Trump added his voice to the conversation on Friday, posting online: “Can this really be happening without our government’s awareness? I doubt it!”

New York to receive ‘cutting-edge’ detection system

On the same day, Governor Kathy Hochul of New York announced that the federal government would implement a new drone detection system within her state. Drones recently caused the temporary closure of runways at Stewart International Airport, which is located 60 miles north of New York City. This airport facilitates both commercial and military air traffic and is adjacent to the New York Air National Guard Base.

“In light of my requests for additional resources, our federal partners are deploying a cutting-edge drone detection system to New York State,” Hochul stated. “This technology will assist state and federal law enforcement in their investigations.”

No specifics were provided regarding the new system.

Representative Nicole Malliotakis, a Republican from New York, stirred controversy last week by expressing skepticism that the federal government was uninformed about the nature of the objects being sighted. She urged the Biden administration to be transparent and disclose the facts.

Malliotakis reinforced her position on Sunday, stating on Newsmax that lawmakers are receiving “zero answers” from the White House, suggesting that the government “definitely knows what is occurring.”

Drone sightings won’t lead to a ‘Hollywood thriller’

In an interview with Fox News Sunday, Representative James Himes, a Democrat from Connecticut, addressed the growing conspiracy theories regarding the sightings. He acknowledged public anxiety and criticized the FAA for not clarifying that the high volume of commercial, private, and military traffic over New Jersey could easily be mistaken for drone activity.

“I can confidently state that this is not the doing of the Iranians or the Chinese. They’re not Martians either,” Himes remarked. “I understand this may be disappointing for those hoping for a more sensational explanation.”

Last week, White House National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby mentioned that the sightings appeared to involve piloted aircraft and reassured that there is no evidence of a national security or public safety risk linked to them.

Kirby noted that the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI are collaborating closely with state and local law enforcement agencies to provide “multiple detection methods” to unravel the ongoing mystery.

Concerns over Chinese-built drones

Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat from Illinois and the ranking member of the House Subcommittee on China, spoke on Sunday Morning Futures.

He expressed worries over the growing number of Chinese-manufactured drones entering the U.S. Krishnamoorthi pointed out that even the U.S. military purchases them due to their low cost. His concern lies in the possibility that China could obtain information from these drones “through a backdoor,” potentially leading to surveillance on Americans.

“The issue is that we’re essentially compromising our national security for the sake of cheaper drones,” he stated.

Chris Christie Reports a Drone Sighting From His Yard

Add former Governor Chris Christie to the growing list of New Jersey residents who have reported strange “drone” sightings near their homes. During an interview on ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday, Christie mentioned that he believes he saw a drone flying over his house last week.

“I’ve never witnessed anything like it before, and I’ve lived in that house for three decades,” Christie remarked. He noted, “You can understand why people are worried, and it’s the lack of clear communication from both federal and state authorities that is to blame for this.”

Christie expressed a desire for state police to be granted powers to “intercept those drones and investigate their activities.” He acknowledged the public’s valid concerns.

− Zac Anderson

Many Sightings May Not Actually Be Drones

The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security have indicated that most reported sightings do not appear to be drones. “Historically, there have been instances of misidentification, where what was reported as a drone turned out to be piloted aircraft or other facilities,” the agencies stated in a joint release.

Harry Direen, an expert in electronic and software engineering at DireenTech, mentioned that while there were likely initial sightings of genuine hobbyist drones, once the idea of drones took root, people began to suspect that any unidentified aircraft was a drone.

“What might have started as credible sightings of potential hobby drones has led to a situation where any aircraft raises suspicion,” he explained.

− Jeanine Santucci

(This story was updated to include new information and correct a typo)