Mystery Drones Puzzle People In New Jersey
12 December, 2024- Strange, ominous, utterly baffling. These are just a few of the words. They are being used to describe the mysterious drones. The drones are flying across the skies of New Jersey. It is a phenomenon. It has left residents scratching their heads. Local officials puzzle over the situation. Even federal authorities are unsure.
There have been many unknown drone sightings since mid-November. The late hours of the night are when they appear. Throughout the state, the drones fly over at least ten counties. The origin of them is still a total mystery. We don’t know who runs them. Above all, their goal is not obvious.
Authorities are very worried. People have observed drones of this type hovering over vital infrastructure. This comprises military installations, police precincts, rail terminals, reservoirs, and electric transmission lines. A U.S. Army facility in northern Morris County is one example of such a location. Someone has already reported more than eleven sightings to the base. Many of these occurred following temporary flying limitations enforced by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Meanwhile, the FAA intervened in Somerset County, which is nearby. Drones were not permitted to fly over President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course, according to the FAA.
This is where things go hazy. It is completely legal to fly drones in New Jersey. All the operator needs is FAA certification. Drones used for leisure are exempt from this. Frequently, these drones are not registered. Operators usually fly them in unrestricted areas. But it’s remarkable how frequently these sightings occur. The sightings are peculiar. This has alarmed locals. The drones in question seem bigger than the usual types used by hobbyists.
Despite the apparent urgency, Governor Phil Murphy’s office has kept quiet. However, during an unrelated bill-signing event this week, Murphy spoke up. He acknowledged that there had been 49 drone sightings on a single Sunday. Some of those could have been duplicate reports or misidentified objects. Later, Murphy’s office posted on social media. They reassured the public that state officials were closely monitoring the situation. They are coordinating with federal and law enforcement partners. The post emphasized that there is no known threat to the public now.
Murphy’s pledges haven’t done much to allay mounting anxieties. The police chief of Florham Park, New Jersey, voiced his worries on social media. The drones, he claimed, “appear nefarious in nature”. Chris Smith, a Republican from New Jersey, also voiced his opinion during a House hearing on unmanned aerial systems. “Very serious threat” to public safety, he said of the drones.
Senator Cory Booker has advocated for greater transparency amid mounting apprehension. He has urged federal authorities to take action. Booker wrote a letter to the public expressing alarm. The fact that the situation is unknown worries him. He called on the FBI and other authorities to release any relevant information. “Without transparency, rumors and misinformation will continue to grow”, Booker stated. Many people throughout the state share this opinion.
Remarkably, they have already disproved one notion. Some suspected that the drones were connected to operations at the Picatinny Arsenal. Morris County is home to the Arsenal, a military research facility. The problem was promptly explained by base commander Lt. Col. Craig Bonham II. “The drones did not come from the Arsenal”, he said. “We can confirm that these aircraft are not part of any Picatinny-related activities”, Bonham stated. This makes the situation even more mysterious.
The FBI has started looking into the situation. Important questions are still unresolved. The FBI’s Critical Incident Response Group Assistant Director, Robert Wheeler, gave a testimony to legislators on Monday. It is yet unclear to authorities if the drones are being operated by a single person or by a coordinated group. Wheeler also saw the growing apprehension around possible security threats. But authorities have not found any particular dangers. Wheeler acknowledged, “We just don’t know, and that’s what’s troubling”.
The FBI has pledged to work closely with local, state, and federal agencies. They will investigate the matter and protect the public. The FBI has encouraged the public to report any drones. This includes drones that seem to threaten aircraft or fly in restricted airspace. Reports are especially important near critical infrastructure.
The phenomenon of unidentified drones isn’t new. Earlier this year, similar swarming incidents occurred at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. However, the situation in New Jersey feels different. It has sparked comparisons. People are comparing it to the high-profile incident in 2023. The U.S. military shot down a Chinese spy balloon over South Carolina.
As fear spreads, some are calling for drastic action. They want the military to shoot down the drones. However, under current federal law, this is only permissible if the drone poses an immediate threat. Civilians are strictly prohibited from taking matters into their own hands. Shooting down any aircraft, including drones, is illegal.
As the skies above New Jersey remain plagued by these mysterious, uninvited intruders, one thing is clear: The answers to this airborne riddle remain elusive. Will the truth behind these drones come to light? Or will the Garden State continue living under this unsettling aerial mystery? Only time will tell.
Do come back to MavDrones for the Latest Drone News as we bring you the newest updates on innovations in UAV technology and their global impact.
CEO, Mavdrones
