Nassau County officials have authorized local law enforcement to shoot down drones deemed a threat to public safety.
The announcement came Thursday during the unveiling of a state-of-the-art drone command center capable of tracking drones from miles away.
However, officials acknowledged that they still require federal approval for more advanced tools to neutralize drones safely.
County Executive Bruce Blakeman emphasized the urgency of taking proactive measures to prevent potential disasters. “We don’t want to wait until we have some kind of disastrous event to then say, ‘Well, we could have done this and we could have done that,’” Blakeman said.
He granted the Nassau County Police Department the authority to take down drones posing a risk during mass gatherings. “If there is a mass gathering anywhere and there is a drone that is a threat to the public at large, they have the authority and the jurisdiction and the right to shoot down that drone,” Blakeman added.
Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder highlighted the department’s preparedness to address the growing drone threat. “As far as my snipers go, I have 30 of the best, world-renowned snipers in the country that can hit a quarter a mile away,” Ryder said.
He also pointed to the county’s new command center, which allows authorities to monitor drone activity within a 20-mile radius.
Despite these advancements, Ryder acknowledged the limitations of local resources. “I can see a drone coming from 20 miles, but I can’t stop it,” he said. Ryder and Blakeman urged Congress to pass legislation enabling local authorities to use drone mitigation technology, such as signal jamming or forced returns to the drone’s home base.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently issued a temporary ban on drone operations over parts of New Jersey and authorized the use of “deadly force” against drones violating restricted airspace.
The ban is in effect until at least January 17, prohibiting unmanned aircraft within a nautical mile of specified areas outlined in an FAA Notice to Airmen (NOTAM).
Increased drone sightings in recent months, particularly over New Jersey, New York, and near 17 U.S. military installations, have raised alarms.
Some of the sightings occurred near properties linked to foreign entities, including China, fueling national security concerns.
Republican Rep. Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey suggested a possible link to an Iranian “mothership” over the Atlantic Ocean.
He criticized the federal government’s response, calling it “not just frustrating — it’s dangerous.”
Blakeman called on the federal government to provide local jurisdictions with the tools and authority to address the drone threat effectively. “We would like the power to do a few things,” he said.
“Number one, we would like the technology so we don’t have to shoot it down, because that creates a whole ’nother set of problems with the people who are on the ground.”
Blakeman advocated for drone mitigation technology that could disable drones or send them back to their operators.
He also urged for legislation allowing local authorities to issue federal summonses for violations of drone laws.
The mysterious drone sightings have left residents and officials seeking answers.
The White House has largely downplayed the concerns, but local officials and lawmakers are pressing for action.
Nassau County’s new drone command center represents a significant step forward, but Blakeman and Ryder agree that without federal support, their ability to address the threat remains limited.
As Nassau County takes matters into its own hands, the push for stronger federal collaboration and technology to mitigate drones grows, reflecting the increasing urgency of addressing this evolving security challenge.
