Mysterious drone sightings across New Jersey have been ongoing for weeks, causing heightened security concerns and frustrations among residents, military personnel, and various officials. While the state governor assures the public of no imminent threat to safety, other state and local officials express alarm at the situation.
State Assemblyman Brian Bergen voiced his concerns to CNN affiliate News 12 New Jersey following a briefing at the state police headquarters, stating, “I’m legitimately concerned for what the hell is going on because nobody knows.” Pequannock Mayor Ryan Herb shared a similar sentiment, remarking, “We are literally being invaded by drones. We have no idea who is doing it and where they’re coming from.”
Law enforcement has been unable to determine the origin or landing sites of the drones, as mentioned by Belleville Township Mayor Michael Melham in a Facebook video update. He described how the drones operate primarily at night with flashing lights, yet manage to avoid detection by turning off the lights and evading police helicopters when approached.
Mayor Melham expressed concern that the drones have been observed hovering over critical infrastructure sites in New Jersey and highlighted the need for further investigation. West Milford Mayor Michele Dale reported an unsettling sighting of 60 drones hovering over local reservoirs.
Speculation arose among some members of Congress suggesting potential foreign involvement in the drone activities, which was refuted by the Pentagon. Despite claims made by US Rep. Jeff Van Drew linking the drones to Iran, the Pentagon denied any such connection.
US Northern Command conducted an analysis of the drone sightings but stated they had not been asked to intervene. The US Coast Guard acknowledged an encounter with the drones near Island Beach State Park but deemed them non-threatening and non-disruptive to their operations.
Governor Phil Murphy reassured the public that there are no known public safety risks related to the drone sightings, while acknowledging the lack of answers surrounding the situation. The sightings began on November 18 near Morris County, with reports of large drones, some as big as 6 feet in diameter, being seen nightly in New Jersey until 11 p.m.
The ongoing drone sightings have raised questions and concerns among officials and residents alike, urging further investigation and measures to address this mysterious phenomenon.
Mysterious drones have been spotted in New Jersey, sparking concern and prompting a coordinated investigation by federal and state agencies. State Assembly member Dawn Fantasia revealed that these drones have been operating tactically, turning off their lights to avoid detection and complicating efforts to track them. Despite intense scrutiny, the drones have not been linked to hobbyists or any known government entities.
Leading the investigation are the FBI in collaboration with the New Jersey State Police and the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, with the US Coast Guard evaluating jurisdictional responses. Federal agencies have ruled out any official connections to the sightings. State Representative Melham has called for a temporary ban on all personnel and commercial drone flights, despite official advisories cautioning against such measures.
The situation escalated when drones were sighted near sensitive locations such as the Picatinny Arsenal military research facility and President-elect Donald Trump’s Bedminster golf course. These incidents prompted the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to impose temporary flight restrictions over the affected properties. Disturbed residents have reported witnessing drones hovering overhead in clusters, raising concerns about their unusual behavior.
Travel content creator Katie Caf, who initially doubted drone reports, was startled when she observed several drones moving erratically in the sky. Describing the drones as larger than usual and moving in a zigzag pattern, she expressed feeling unsettled by the sightings. Fantasia disclosed that a briefing at the New Jersey State Police headquarters detailed the drones’ movements and the response of federal agencies.
Despite reassurances from Governor Murphy about no imminent public threat, local leaders like Fantasia are demanding greater transparency in the investigation. Senator Cory Booker has urged federal authorities to provide more information, citing a growing sense of uncertainty and urgency among constituents and officials. The FBI has called on the public to report any relevant information concerning the drones, which have been observed in various locations along the Raritan River.
At a US Homeland Security Committee hearing, the FBI acknowledged the concerning nature of the drone sightings but stated that no specific public safety risk had been identified. CNN reached out to federal agencies for further details on the ongoing investigation. Stay tuned for the latest updates on this developing story.
Contributors: Brad Lendon, Elizabeth Wolfe, and Jillian Sykes. For more news and updates, visit CNN.com.
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