Booker, Schumer, Gillibrand, Kim Send Letter To FBI, DHS and FAA Requesting Briefing on Drone Activity In New Jersey and New York

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) joined Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Andy Kim (D-NJ) in sending a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requesting a briefing on how the agencies are working with federal and local law enforcement to identify and address the source of recent unmanned aerial system activity in New Jersey and New York.

In their letter, the Senators noted that "since late November, communities in the New York City area and northern New Jersey have reported several incidents of unattributable drone sightings at night, alarming both residents and local law enforcement" and highlighted that "the potential safety and security risks posed by these drones in civilian areas is especially pertinent considering recent drone incursions at sensitive military sites in and outside of the continental United States over the past year."

The letter requests a briefing from the agencies and that it "include any authorities, tools, or staff your agencies may require to address these ongoing incidents and the broader security challenge posed by UAS."

On December 10, Senator Booker sent a similar letter to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, FBI Director Christopher Wray, and DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg requesting the agencies provide New Jersey municipal and county officials with a comprehensive briefing regarding the unauthorized drone activity over New Jersey communities and make any available information accessible to the public. To read the full text of Senator Booker's December 10 letter, click here.

To read the full text of the letter, click here.