NEW YORK (PIX11) -- Senator Chuck Schumer is making a plea for federal officials to launch a declassified special drone detection system called the ROBIN- a 360-degree technology across New York & New Jersey and the metro area to track any unidentified object in the sky.
“I’m going to help pass and co-sponsor legislation that will combat these drones in a better way by allowing local police and state police departments to help the feds in sighting these drones which so many have requested."
Senator Schumer also explained the new legislation will allow for authorities to detect drones since at the moment there isn’t a proper way to record drone use. “There is no system for registering any drone as long as a drone is to near an airport or a military base, as long as is flying below a certain level of altitude people have a right to fly them.”
During an interview on ABC this week, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas confirmed the drone activity isn’t foreign. "I want to assure the American people, that we have deployed additional resources, personnel & technology to assist the New Jersey State Police in addressing those drone sightings.”
He added some of the sightings are in face drones but other sightings may be aircraft that may be mistaken for drones.
“I want to assure the American public that we are on it and we are working in close coordination with local & state authorities and it is critical as we all have said for a number of years that we need from congress additional authorities to address the drone situation”
Senator Schumer was asked if people flying these drones would face charges. "No, because at the moment flying isn’t a crime unless is close to a military base or an airport."
