As Drone Sightings Continue, Fitzpatrick Calls For Answers, Actions

DOYLESTOWN, PA ? Pennsylvania's 1st District Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1), the chairman of the National Intelligence Enterprise Subcommittee on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI), is calling on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to "urgently investigate and disclose information" about the increasing reports of unexplained drone activity in the Philadelphia region, including Bucks County, and neighboring New Jersey.

In a letter to Director Mayorkas, Administrator Whitaker and Director Wray, Fitzpatrick raises concern over the widespread reports of unidentified drone activity in the Philadelphia region including in Bucks County and says that for the past several weeks, community members have reported sightings of unidentified unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), in some cases appearing over areas with critical infrastructure.

While initial briefings indicate no immediate threat to public safety, "I take the legitimate concerns of my constituents seriously, as well as our neighbors in New Jersey, and the broader American public," writes Fitzpatrick. "I am calling on our federal agencies to increase resources dedicated to investigating this escalating issue and to deliver a thorough public briefing."

In addition, Fitzpatrick said through his role as chairman of the National Intelligence Enterprise Subcommittee on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, he is requesting a classified briefing from relevant intelligence agencies.

The Congressman said he is asking the departments to answer the following questions:

1. Has the FAA been able to access the remote identifications of the drones not acting in compliance? And if so, what can be determined about these UAS?
2. Are federal agencies (DHS, FAA, and FBI) collaborating with state and local partners to ensure appropriate accountability measures are in place for violators of UAS regulations?
3. What additional measures can authorities who oversee areas of critical infrastructure in this region implement to protect themselves from a potential threat to their privacy and security?
4. Has the FAA been able to record the flight tracks of these UAS and identify what classes of airspace they are operating in and any subsequent airspace incursions?

With growing reports of sightings of unidentified unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) near critical infrastructure, Fitzpatrick said he is urging immediate federal action to address public safety concerns and transparency.

Overnight, social media reports in Bucks County were filled with unconfirmed reports of drones appearing in the sky over Newtown, Upper Makefield, Yardley, Warminster, Upper Southampton,Wrightstown, Holland, New Hope, Langhorne, Warwick, Doylestown and in nearby Montgomery County towns of Horham, Upper Dublin, and Abington.

On Thursday, the FBI and DHS issued a joint statement on the reported drone sightings in New Jersey:

?We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or public safety threat or have a foreign nexus. The FBI, DHS and our federal partners, in close coordination with the New Jersey State Police, continue to deploy personnel and technology to investigate this situation and confirm whether the reported drone flights are actually drones or are instead manned aircraft or otherwise inaccurate sightings.

?Historically, we have experienced cases of mistaken identity, where reported drones are, in fact, manned aircraft or facilities. We are supporting local law enforcement in New Jersey with numerous detection methods but have not corroborated any of the reported visual sightings with electronic detection. To the contrary, upon review of available imagery, it appears that many of the reported sightings are actually manned aircraft, operating lawfully. There are no reported or confirmed drone sightings in any restricted air space.

?We take seriously the threat that can be posed by unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), which is why law enforcement and other agencies continue to support New Jersey and investigate the reports. To be clear, they have uncovered no such malicious activity or intent at this stage. While there is no known malicious activity occurring in New Jersey, the reported sightings there do, however, highlight the insufficiency of current authorities."