New York, Dec 21, (V7N) - Following a rise in drone sightings across New York, federal authorities have announced plans to temporarily restrict unmanned aircraft from flying over certain areas in the state. This action comes after concerns about drones flying over sensitive locations, including infrastructure sites, which have raised public alarm in New Jersey and other East Coast regions.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul shared that she had spoken with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who confirmed that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will enforce temporary flight restrictions in areas deemed as "critical infrastructure." These sites include highways, bridges, tunnels, railways, utilities, and important buildings necessary for daily life.

The temporary restrictions apply to regions in Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, and Yonkers. Governor Hochul emphasized that the action is precautionary, stating that there is no immediate threat to these sites. However, the governor expressed the importance of continued monitoring and called for Congress to pass laws that would give state and local authorities more control over drone management.

The rise in drone activity has caught the attention of lawmakers at multiple levels, as well as President-elect Donald Trump, who questioned how such incidents could occur without government knowledge. Some have suggested the use of military action to shoot down drones in order to investigate their origin.

Meanwhile, the FAA has already implemented drone flight restrictions over critical infrastructure sites in New Jersey. These restrictions limit drones to a maximum altitude of 400 feet, excluding private planes and helicopters.

Drones, which are remotely piloted and widely used by hobbyists, businesses, and the military, are regulated by the FAA. Nearly 800,000 drones are registered for commercial and recreational use in the U.S. The mysterious surge in drone sightings has prompted heightened scrutiny and concerns about public safety.

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