Virginia Lawmakers Criticize Feds for Drone Information Shortcomings
Virginia officials express frustration over lack of federal drone info after military sightings
Virginia, Drones, Military, Glenn Youngkin, Mark Warner, Tim Kaine
Virginia Beach: So, there’s been a bit of a stir about drones flying around military sites in Virginia. Governor Glenn Youngkin and Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine are pretty upset. They just got out of a classified briefing and feel like the feds aren’t giving them enough info.
They met with folks from the Department of Defense and other agencies to talk about these mysterious drone sightings. But after the meeting, they said it was just not enough. It’s been over a year since these drones have been spotted, and they want to know what’s going on.
One resident even reported seeing a huge drone, about the size of a small truck, hovering over his neighborhood and military bases. That’s a bit creepy, right? Virginia Beach isn’t the only place seeing these things; there have been reports from New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania too.
Even though federal authorities say these drones aren’t a threat, people are still feeling uneasy. It’s raised questions about safety and privacy. Just last week, the FAA had to ban drone flights in New Jersey because folks were getting really worried.
Warner, who’s the chairman of the intelligence committee, expressed his concerns. He said he wishes he could reassure everyone, but he just can’t. He’s more worried about how slow the government has been to address these sightings rather than the drones themselves.
He thinks most of these sightings are probably just commercial drones or registered aircraft, but the government needs to step up and communicate better. The Virginia Fusion Center has been getting a ton of tips about drone activity lately, over 150 this month alone.
They’re urging anyone who sees a drone near important sites to report it. It’s crucial for figuring out what’s happening. And just a heads up, there are laws about flying drones near homes and military areas, so it’s best to play by the rules.
If you see something suspicious, you can reach out to the Virginia Fusion Center. They’re on it!