On December 13, officials from Staten Island joined the discussion about the mysterious drones, as they have also been receiving reports from local residents over the past week. The officials are urging the federal government to provide answers promptly and requesting the New York City Police Department (NYPD) to intervene and assist with the investigation.
Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella stated that a drone flew over his house on Thursday night, expressing concerns about drones being sighted over vital city infrastructure such as the Verrazano Bridge.
A local resident named Tony Garcia reported seeing a group of drones in the sky above the coastline around 5:36 pm the previous evening. Describing the drones with flashing red and green lights at varying altitudes, he mentioned the difficulty in determining their exact size but noted they were larger than recreational drones.
Officials are questioning why federal authorities cannot provide answers about the drones. Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis of Staten Island remarked that residents feel like they are living on a movie set or have become characters in a film.
The ongoing events are shocking, with thousands of drones flying overhead without the government disclosing who is operating them and for what purpose. Malliotakis emphasized the need for transparency and direct communication to address the situation.
Residents and officials are puzzled by various theories circulating about the drones, which do not adhere to existing regulations for recreational or commercial drone operations, including height limits and prohibited nighttime flights.
Moreover, the drones are flying over crucial buildings and facilities, raising concerns about public safety due to potential risks of explosions or crashes in densely populated areas.
Borough President Fossella even suggested issuing an executive order to shoot down the drones if necessary. State Assemblyman Michael Tannousis called for NYPD’s involvement in the investigation to provide answers to concerned constituents.
The White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby revealed that there have been over 3000 reports of car-sized drones circling the night sky in recent weeks, yet federal investigators cannot verify any of them.
Residents in the Bronx also witnessed similar drones at dawn on Thursday.
Governor Hochul confirmed that drones were spotted flying over New York on Friday, along with New Jersey Governor Murphy, stating that there is currently no identified security threat posed by the drones.
“We are aware that New Yorkers have observed drones in the sky this week, and we are investigating,” the governor wrote on the X platform. “At present, there is no evidence indicating that these drones pose a threat to public safety or national security.”