National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Monday that the drones recently reported over New Jersey and other East Coast states do not pose a threat to the public and are not “legal, legal, or commercial.” (And) it’s a hobbyist drone,” he told CNN. Even law enforcement drones. ”
When asked by AC360 anchor John Berman whether drones pose a danger, Kirby made the clarification:
“The answer to that is no. We do not believe that national security or public safety is jeopardized by these drones or the aircraft they fly,” he said.
“And we want to remind people that there are millions of drones flying in the skies of the United States on a daily basis, and thousands of drones are registered with the FAA. And law enforcement Many of them, commercial drones, etc., do really good work for public safety and the public good. So far, this activity has put national security and public safety at risk. There is no meaning or sign.”
On Sunday, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas also said in an ABC interview that the increase in drone sightings may be due to the Federal Aviation Administration allowing drones to fly at night last year.
Kirby continued, “After many days of forensic analysis, detection work, and consideration of tips, these drones are legal, legal, commercial, recreational, and even legal. “It has been evaluated as an enforcement drone.”
Berman followed up shortly after. “I can’t say I understand everything. What do I not know yet?”
“Well, we still have probably – I don’t know – about 100 tips and we’re still trying to triangulate the 5,000 or so tips and sightings that the FBI has investigated,” he said. Said. “They’ve actually narrowed it down to about 100 and they still have to make sure we haven’t ruled anything out…and that number could go even higher as more tips come in. I think. So we’re going to take a little look at where we are.”
Kirby concluded: “I cannot rule out the fact that we may find some illegal, criminal, or nefarious activity. All I can do is tell you that we do not see anything of the sort at this time. .”
Kirby’s appearance comes ahead of a joint statement from DHS, FBI, FAA, and Department of Defense claiming: Law enforcement drones, manned fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and stellar aircraft were incorrectly reported as drones. ”
The statement said the organizations “have not observed anything unusual and have no prior activity that poses a national security or public safety risk to civil airspace in New Jersey or other states in the Northeast.” “I haven’t evaluated it,” he reiterated Kirby’s comments.
However, authorities were aware of community concerns over the large number of sightings. “We continue to support state and local governments with advanced detection technology and law enforcement assistance,” the statement said. “We urge Congress, when it reconvenes, to enact anti-UAS legislation that expands and expands existing counter-drone authority to identify and mitigate any threats that may emerge. Masu.”
