By Thomas Montana
Governor Kathy Hochul issued a letter to President Donald Trump asking for strategies to improve drone detection and provide greater authority to the states to deal with potential drone attacks.
On July 8, Hochul sent a letter to the President in terms of improving safety from unmanned aerial systems (UAS) throughout the country. She noted that there have been multiple instances of drone-related incidents all around the world in the last year, such as the UAS all across New York City and the Hudson River in December and the Ukrainian military’s surprise attack on Russian air forces in June.
Long Island Life & Politics reported on drone sightings over Suffolk County last December. Although the Suffolk County Police Department confirmed there were drones overhead, but could not say exactly where they were spotted. News sources at the time reported drone sightings over Port Jefferson and Brookhaven National Laboratory and eyewitnesses seeing more drones flying over the North Fork.
On December 15, 2024, Nassau County police received two phone calls from residents who claimed to see drones, but did not say where they were spotted, LILP previously reported.
Hochul proposed a comprehensive federal strategy to be made which would improve drone detection capabilities nationally while providing robust, multi-layered mitigation measures. It would first protect critical infrastructure like population centers, utilities and military assets while being able to be swiftly deployed to areas of concern. Hochul cited future high-profile events taking place in the city next year — such as the World Cup, the Flotilla of Tall Ships, International Naval Review, the largest-ever Macy’s fireworks show and America’s 250th birthday celebration — saying these would be prime targets for drone attacks.
Giving New York State the authority to take proactive steps to detect and mitigate drones is key, Hochul said. Congress extended counter-drone authorities granted to the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Bureau of Investigation, but this only extends to September. Hochul called for this to be extended further, along with the authorities and capabilities granted to states as well.
“The security of our state and the nation demands a coordinated and robust response to the challenge posed by drones,” Hochul stated. “I urge you to prioritize this issue and take swift action before it is too late.”
This is not the first time that the governor has written a letter to the federal government making such a request. As LILP previously reported, Hochul sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem demanding that her agency make funding available to state and local governments through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP). The state has received funding every year since 2002.
In 2024, New York received $219.9 million in HSGP funding, $156.1 million of which was allocated through the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) for jurisdictions in the New York City Metro area, principally the New York Police Department. In 2023, New York received $244.7 million with $173.9 million allocated through UASI, LILP reported previously.
LILP reached out to DHS but did not respond as of press time.
— Additional reporting by Hank Russell