Retired NYPD detective reports drone dropping object near Staten Island home

A Staten Island man reported seeing a large drone drop a glowing object near his home on December 14. John Scotto, a retired NYPD detective, called 911 after witnessing the incident around 6:15 a.m. Police conducted flyovers but found no trace of the object. Drones have been increasingly spotted in Staten Island since mid-November, following reports from Northern New Jersey. In response, the Federal Aviation Administration has imposed a ban on drone flights over several New York communities, including Staten Island, until January 18, 2025. The FAA classified the airspace over parts of Staten Island and other areas as "national defense airspace." They warned that the government may use deadly force against drones deemed a security threat, and violators of the flight ban could face law enforcement actions.