Page 32 - 2025 May June Magazine

Drones often fly grid patterns when mapping, scanning, surveying, or
searching the ground. Image by iStock/Ekkasit919.
Fantasia’s Full Court Press
As the events in New Jersey unfolded, there were many state
and local officials who were surprised and disappointed
by a lack of information and assistance from the federal
government. They were trying to answer questions and quell
panic and were left ‘blowing in the wind’". State legislator
Dawn Fantasia,7 published the following on social media on
December 11, 2024:
Excerpts from Fantasia's post:
What We Know - We know nothing. PERIOD. To state that
there is no known or credible threat is incredibly misleading,
and I informed all officials of that sentiment. State authorities,
including the NJSP, are shackled in what they are able to do.
Any interception or takedown of any UAS is under the strict
jurisdiction of the federal government.
At this point, I believe military intervention is the only path
forward. There will be no answers in the absence of proactivity.
The US Coast Guard seems to be the most likely to intervene
based upon our briefing, but even that component was
shrouded in mystery.
Key Concerns - Unknown Origins: Authorities do not know
where these drones take off or land.
Capabilities - Drones maintain flight for extended periods
(6–7 hours) and over distances of 15 miles, raising questions
about their technology and intent.
Airspace Regulation - Most sightings are in unrestricted
airspace, but their behavior is unusual and potentially
nefarious. Unlike manned aircraft, these drones appear to
operate without lights and evade detection.
Public Safety - Possible threats remain unconfirmed, but
7 Dawn Fantasia serves as a member of the New Jersey General Assembly for the
24th Legislative District and works as the Principal of Bergen Arts and Science Charter
School in Garfield, New Jersey.
3 2 P I E R C E C O U N T Y L A W Y E R | M a y /J u n e 2 0 2 5
the lack of detection capability is a significant concern. See
Something, Say Something campaigns encourage the public to
report sightings to local law enforcement and the FBI.
Next Steps - Enhanced Surveillance: Use of infrared cameras
and additional Coast Guard resources.
Legislation and Policy - Advocate for advancing federal drone
legislation stalled in Congress.
Public Engagement - Encourage reporting via the See
Something, Say Something initiative.
887.7K Views
Drones Over Everywhere
Drones started appearing at night in New York, Maryland,
Connecticut and Pennsylvania. After they temporarily shut
down an airport, New York Governor Kathy Hochul said
enough was enough and asked the federal government to
provide counter UAS technology on an emergency basis. State
and local officials and thousands of residents in New Jersey and
surrounding states reported their sightings on social media
and on a tipline set up by the FBI and Homeland Security. The
FBI investigated 5,000 drone reports but tossed 95% aside as
unreliable.
The ability to accurately gauge how far away an object is in the
night sky is a challenge for many people who can easily mistake
commercial aircraft miles away for drones or UFOs in close
proximity. Federal law requires all aircraft, including small
drones to use navigation lights. But not everyone knows how
to read aircraft lights and how they look from the ground may
vary greatly depending on everything from speed, altitude, and
direction to weather and cosmological conditions.
Shoot Them Down
On December 13, 2024, The President Elect urged decisive
action:
This messaging did not sit well with DHS, the FAA, and
other federal agencies because drones are defined as ‘aircraft’
under federal law and “willfully damaging, destroying, or
disabling” aircraft is a felony under 18 U.S. § 32. Firing
bullets or projectiles into the sky may also constitute reckless
endangerment or criminal mischief under state law.