Gottheimer calls on FBI, DHS to deploy assets to safely take down drones that shouldn’t be in the skies
Calls for an in-person briefing to the public
NEW JERSEY — U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) Friday announced that he is urging federal law enforcement agencies, led by the FBI and DHS, to allow state and local law enforcement to deploy assets that can safely take down drones that shouldn’t be in the skies.
Picatinny Arsenal, the Army facility in Morris County, has had 11 confirmed sightings of unauthorized drones flying over in its airspace in recent weeks, according to military officials.
Drones cannot be permitted to fly over military bases, reservoirs, airports, first responder locations, critical infrastructure, and other sensitive sites.
“When you hear hundreds of reports of drones flying above us, or see activity yourself, and federal agencies responsible for controlling the air space don’t properly and quickly brief the public, then it leaves a large vacuum of information. That’s why I’ve written to the FBI, DHS, and FAA and asked them to immediately brief the public – not on a piece of paper, but in person,” Gottheimer said. “They also need to work closely with state and local law enforcement to give them the equipment they need to monitor drone activity.“
