Connect with us

Infra

FAA grounds drones over key NY infrastructure. Here’s where

Published

15 hours ago

on

FAA grounds drones over key NY infrastructure. Here’s where

play

Temporary flight restrictions are now in place for several locations across New York amid rising concerns over recent drone activity in the state and surrounding ones. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Thursday the FAA has granted these temporary restrictions over some of New York’s “critical infrastructure sites” as a precautionary measure.

“While we have not detected any public safety or national security threats, we will continue aggressively monitoring the situation as we call on Congress to pass legislation to give states and local law enforcement the authority and resources they need to manage this evolving technology,” Hochul said. “Public safety is my top priority and I will stop at nothing to keep my constituents safe.”

Here’s what to know.

Which NY sites are affected?

Here’s where the FAA has banned drone flights in New York, which are in effect until Jan. 18:

  • Brooklyn
  • Bronx (two locations)
  • Calverton
  • Commack (two locations)
  • Far Rockaway
  • Garden City
  • Glenwood Landing (two locations)
  • Hicksville
  • Holbrook
  • Holtsville
  • Lynbrook
  • Melville
  • New Castle
  • New Hyde Park
  • New York City (two locations)
  • Northport
  • Oceanside
  • Queens
  • Ridge
  • Roslyn Heights
  • Setauket
  • Shoreham
  • Staten Island (two locations)
  • Yonkers

What to know: Can you shoot down a drone in NY?

What\’s been done in NY so far

A “state-of-the-art drone detection system” was delivered to New York earlier this week to assist in investigations surrounding the state’s recent drone activity, according to Hochul, and state police have asked the public to report any sightings by emailing crimetip@troopers.ny.gov, and to be sure to include time, date, location and any relevant pictures or video.

Other state representatives have also pushed for more action as U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and U.S. Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim sent a letter Friday to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the FAA seeking a briefing on how the agencies are working to identify and address the source of the recent drone activity in New York and New Jersey.

Schumer also announced he’s taking legislative action against the country’s recent drone activity issues by introducing a new bill — the Safeguarding the Homeland from the Threats Posed by Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act — to the Senate to “give state and local authorities more authority and tools to track drones.”

Emily Barnes reports on consumer-related issues for the USA TODAY Network’s New York Connect Team, focusing on scam and recall-related topics. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @byemilybarnes. Get in touch at ebarnes@gannett.com.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading