Lawmakers Ask Federal Government to Identify Source of Drones over Westchester

(Updated December 18, 2024) It seems that our lawmakers are just as stumped as we are about the origin of the drones that have been sighted in Westchester, New Jersey and beyond.

On December 18, State Assemblymember Amy Paulin said,"I am in touch with the FBI. They are doing an active investigation and will get back to me and the Mayor when it is completed."

At a weekly media briefing on December 17, 2024, County Executive George Latimer read aloud the following letter that he has sent to President Biden asking the government to identify the source of the drones and publicize the facts.

See below:

Honorable Joseph R. Biden
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Biden,

I have spoken to many throughout Westchester County who express fear and concern regarding the recent drone sightings. Residents are worried that their government is unable to identify these drones; they express trepidation over holiday travel to see and receive family, particularly from the Westchester County Airport, after Stewart International Airport in Orange County was shut down for an hour due to concerns over these drones. Our residents are in need of more information regarding these drones.

With an absence of answers, our residents are vulnerable to insidious conspiracy theories or solutions peddled by fringe ideologues. I believe, as I know you do, that it is our government’s responsibility to inform its people, and to protect them from those who would mislead them – intentionally or otherwise.
As such, I ask that your administration intervene to identify the source of these drones, and that your administration work to publicize the facts. In the documented cases where these drones have been manned aircraft operating within the boundaries of the law, I would ask that you further publicize these sightings; perhaps providing a clearinghouse to respond to the fear and misinformation which is filling the absence of a broader explanation.

I additionally support Senator Schumer’s proposed solution to deploy advanced drone detection technology; such technology would allow a more rapid response to issues similar to these in the future and could help identify these drones and alleviate many of our residents’ concerns.

As always, thank you for your tireless efforts on behalf of Westchester’s residents, and on behalf of our shared federal union.

Sincerely,

George Latimer
Westchester County Executive Congressman-elect for NYCD16