New Jersey

N.Y., N.J. drone mystery to be tackled by high-tech detection system. Here’s how ROBIN radar works.

Published

2 years ago

December 15, 2024

N.Y., N.J. drone mystery to be tackled by high-tech detection system. Here’s how ROBIN radar works.

NEW YORK — Federal lawmakers say they will push for new measures in Congress on Monday to track down the mysterious drones flying across the Tri-State Area and the country.

Gov. Kathy Hochul says federal partners are deploying a state-of-the-art detection system to New York state.

Here’s how the ROBIN radar detection system works

On Sunday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he’s requesting the Department of Homeland Security deploy a detection system like one known as ROBIN.

“Which use not a linear line of sight but 360-degree technology that has a much better chance of detecting these drones. We’re asking DHS to bring them to the New York-New Jersey area,” Schumer said.

“Would you consider banning sale of them from some of the companies that make the drones?” CBS News New York’s Lisa Rozner asked New York’s senior senator.

“There are hundreds of companies all over the globe that make drones. We don’t know which ones these are. This radar will help us find out which they are and then we can go talk to the companies,” Schumer said.

Rozner asked DHS if it would grant Schumer’s request for a new detection system. A rep responded by saying the agency only responds to congressional inquiries directly via “official channels.”

Hochul said Sunday the state needs Congress to pass the a bill which would give New York the authority to detect, track or even destroy unmanned aircraft systems. That legislation has been stuck in committees, but Schumer’s office said with him as co-sponsor now, it could pass by the end of the year.

“We need to take a hard look at our homeland defenses”

On CBS’ Face The Nation, Republican Congressman Mike Waltz of Florida said defense agencies are pointing the finger at each other and under President-elect Donald Trump.

“We need to take a hard look at our homeland defenses. President Trump has talked about an iron dome for America that needs to include drones as well, not just adversarial actions like hypersonic missiles. We need to have an all-of-the-above protection of U.S. airspace,” Waltz said.

The FBI says it has received approximately 5,000 tips on the aircraft sightings, and of those, less than 100 leads were deemed worthy of further investigation.

The DHS secretary said on ABC This Week that the agency knows of “no foreign involvement.”

The Department of Defense also said the military is “prohibited from conducting intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations in the U.S.”

“I believe it’s sabotage”

The South Bronx is now part of the multiple places in the Northeast where clusters of drones have been spotted.

“They’re huge, too, so I don’t know what’s going on,” resident Jeff Garcia said.

“I believe it’s sabotage because all of a sudden we getting all of these drones coming from somewhere,” resident Donna McCoy said.

“Is it like recording people? Or they just going around sitting there looking at you?” JJ Mines-Evans added.

Lisa Rozner

Lisa Rozner joined CBS News New York in 2017. She covers a wide range of stories.

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New Jersey

World Cup match to impact NJ Transit service during rush hour

Published

9 hours ago

June 22, 2026

Press Room

World Cup match to impact NJ Transit service during rush hour

NEW YORK (WABC) — Commuters are being warned to plan ahead Monday as the FIFA World Cup match between Norway and Senegal at MetLife Stadium is expected to create significant travel disruptions during the evening rush hour.

City officials have issued a Gridlock Alert Day for Monday, citing the 8 p.m. kickoff, expected heavy traffic and the potential for severe weather, including strong thunderstorms and heavy rain.

The biggest impact will be felt at Penn Station, where NJ Transit service to New Jersey will be restricted beginning at 3:20 p.m.

From 3:20 p.m. until 7:01 p.m., New Jersey-bound trains departing Penn Station and Secaucus Junction will be reserved exclusively for World Cup ticket holders traveling to MetLife Stadium. Fans must have both a match ticket and an NJ Transit ticket to board.

That means regular commuters heading home to New Jersey during that time will need to find alternate transportation, including PATH trains, ferries or buses.

Officials are encouraging commuters who normally rely on NJ Transit to leave earlier in the day if possible.

Round-trip NJ Transit tickets to MetLife Stadium are still available for $98. However, all 12,000 seats on shuttle buses departing from Grand Central Terminal, the Port Authority Bus Terminal and Columbus Circle have sold out for Monday’s match.

Street closures around Penn Station will also begin no later than 2 p.m. to accommodate security screening and fan queues. Officials say 33rd Street between Seventh and Eighth avenues and 32nd Street between Sixth and Seventh avenues will remain closed until after 8 p.m., while 33rd Street between Sixth and Seventh avenues is expected to reopen after 1 a.m.

The restrictions mirror what travelers experienced during last week’s World Cup match, when thousands of fans packed transit hubs across the region.

NJ Transit President and CEO Kris Kolluri thanked city officials for helping manage crowds around Penn Station.

“I’m so grateful to the City of New York and Mayor Mamdani for setting up a great system outside Penn Station to process the fans from a security standpoint,” Kolluri said.

He also urged commuters to remain patient as the region hosts the international tournament.

“My one ask is that this is a very amazing opportunity for the region and for the state of New Jersey. I know commuters have busy lives and they are trying to earn a living. We’re asking for a little patience,” Kolluri said.

Officials say NJ Transit transported more than 26,000 fans during the June 16 World Cup match, with additional crowds expected for Monday night’s game.

Drivers are also being warned to expect significant delays near MetLife Stadium, particularly along Route 3.

City officials continue to encourage residents and visitors to walk, bike or use public transportation whenever possible.

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New Jersey

3 killed after plane taking off from NJ crashes near Maryland homes

Published

19 hours ago

June 21, 2026

Press Room

3 killed after plane taking off from NJ crashes near Maryland homes

Three people were killed when a small plane taking off from New Jersey crashed into a neighborhood in Maryland, according to authorities.

A Piper PA-28 carrying a pilot and two passengers plummeted into a residential area in Bowie around midnight on Sunday, according to the Federal Aviation Administration and Maryland State Police.

A Piper PA-28 carrying a pilot and two passengers plummeted into a residential area in Bowie around midnight on Sunday. Channel4

The possible training flight was en route from Ocean City, New Jersey, to Montgomery County Airport in Gaithersburg when the plane suddenly crashed in a wooded area close to homes, Elena Russo, spokesperson for the Maryland State Police, said at a press conference on Sunday.

The pilot and two passengers, who were all adults, were pronounced dead on the scene.

Emergency responders rushed to search for the plane after receiving an alert of a possible crash nearby, but were unable to reach the wreckage until roughly 3:45 a.m., cops said.