Homeland security chief clains new jersey drone sightings normal, linked to 2023 nighttime drone flight ban

Homeland Security Chief Clains New Jersey Drone Sightings Normal, Linked to 2023 Nighttime Drone Flight Ban

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1 min read
December 15, 2024

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas addressed growing public concern over increased drone activity at night, linking the rise to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rule change 15 months ago that permitted drones to fly after dark.

“In September of 2023, the Federal Aviation Administration, the FAA, changed the rules so that drones could fly at night,” Mayorkas said, explaining the spike in drone sightings, particularly during the hours from dusk to dawn.

Mayorkas assured the public that federal authorities are “on it,” working in close coordination with state and local officials to address the situation. However, he emphasized that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) lacks the necessary authority to fully regulate drone use.

“It is critical, as we all have said for a number of years, that we need from Congress, additional authorities to address the drone situation,” Mayorkas said, urging lawmakers to provide the federal government with expanded regulatory powers.

The FAA’s 2023 rule change allowed drones to fly at night as long as they are equipped with anti-collision lighting, a move that experts said would expand the commercial use of drones but has also sparked concerns over privacy, safety, and security.

Officials continue to monitor the increase in drone activity as they push for legislative solutions to bolster oversight.

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

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