Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
NYPD says it will neutralize unauthorized drones over US Open in Queens
By
Ryan Kost
Published Aug 21, 2026
Modified Aug 21, 2026
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Richard Newstead / Getty Images
By
Ryan Kost
Published Aug 21, 2026
Modified Aug 21, 2026
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The headline of this story has been updated to correct an error in editing, and to describe NYPD plans for neutralizing drones.
The NYPD will independently neutralize unauthorized drones caught flying over the US Open. It marks the first time any state or local agency has used new federal authority to conduct independent drone mitigation operations, according to Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
Tisch announced the change Friday at the department’s security briefing for the 146th US Open, which kicks off this Sunday with Fan Week. The main draw begins Aug. 30 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens.
Authority for the department’s independent drone program, which allows the department to redirect drones using electromagnetic signals, comes from the Safer Skies Act Congress passed late last year. The official rule only took effect July 1.
Up until now, the NYPD’s counter-drone team had worked alongside federal partners to mitigate drones. That was the case earlier this summer during the World Cup, Tisch said.
“Here at the US Open, trained NYPD personnel will be ready to exercise that authority ourselves,” she said.
Tisch said there are no specific credible threats to the tournament and outlined other security measures as well.
Hundreds of officers are assigned to a dedicated US Open that includes the bomb squad, aviation and mounted units, emergency service officers, explosive-detection dogs, heavy weapons teams and plainclothes personnel. Concrete barriers will ring the perimeter, and more than 100 light towers will go up across the complex.
The United States Tennis Association anticipates 1.2 million fans will come to the Open over the next few weeks. Attendees will have to go through a screening process before entering the events, and a list of prohibited items is available on the US Open website.
Tisch encouraged visitors to use public transportation to get to the event. The NYPD will increase police presence along the 7 line, she said, and both MTA and LIRR will be running additional trains to help visitors get home at the end of each day.
Tagged
public safety
queens
Ryan Kost
Ryan Kost is a reporter on the day-of news desk, where he covers breaking news and writes enterprise stories about jails, courts, prosecutors and government accountability. His work focuses on the public institutions that shape life in New York. Before joining the newsroom, he lead a multi-part investigation with Columbia Journalism Investigations and New York Focus into how New York prosecutors handle wrongful conviction claims. He's also been a staff writer at The San Francisco Chronicle, The Associated Press and The Oregonian. Got a tip? Signal: ryankost.20
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Dump truck driver hits and kills cyclist on 34th Street in Midtown, NYPD says
It's the latest in a string of hit-and-run deaths in the city in recent months.
By
Liam Quigley
Published Sep 28, 2026 at 4:15 p.m. ET
New ingredient mandated for Latin American kitchen, restaurant plates in NJ
The Garden State now requires that corn masa dough and flour made and sold in the state be fortified with folic acid.
By
Arya Sundaram
News
New ingredient mandated for Latin American kitchen, restaurant plates in NJ
The Garden State now requires that corn masa dough and flour made and sold in the state be fortified with folic acid.
By
Arya Sundaram
A Brooklyn jail cell filled with smoke. The emergency button failed, a lawyer said.
By
Samantha Max
Crews launch tunnel machines to dig first new Hudson River rail tunnels since 1910
By
Michael Sol Warren
NYC nor’easter dries up after weather service reports minor flooding
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .