Suffolk Police Received 16 Reports of Drone Sightings Across Long Island; Officials Confirmed Reports
BABYLON, NY – The Suffolk County Police Department received 16 unconfirmed reports of drone sightings across the area on Thursday, officials confirmed Friday. Residents on Long Island, along with others in New York City and Connecticut, shared similar accounts of unidentified objects spotted in the sky that evening. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the reports are connected.
Suffolk police provided limited information, declining to specify exact locations, times, or whether the sightings are under investigation. A department spokesperson noted that no formal tracking system exists for drone reports, making it unclear whether this number is unusual.
New York State Police acknowledged receiving multiple drone-related reports within the same 24-hour period and stated that troopers are investigating. They emphasized there is no current evidence of any threat to public safety and are coordinating with federal and local agencies via the New York State Intelligence Center. Governor Kathy Hochul has also ordered an investigation into the reports, according to The New York Times.
Social media activity surged as residents shared their experiences, with some posts humorously including images of planes, helicopters, and playful memes. Among the more serious discussions, drone enthusiasts suggested that recent clear weather may be encouraging more drone activity.
The phenomenon has extended beyond Long Island, with similar unexplained sightings reported in recent weeks across New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Whether this increase is due to actual drone activity, heightened public attention, or other factors remains uncertain. Local authorities continue to monitor the situation.
The White House said a review of the reported sightings shows that many of them are actually manned aircraft being flown lawfully. Some say officials are not being completely honest with the public and that the mysterious drones should be shot-down.
