A large number of mysterious drones have been seen throughout New Jersey
A slew of mysterious drones have been reported flying over parts of New Jersey in recent weeks, sparking speculation and concern about who sent them and why.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and law enforcement officials have stressed that the drones do not appear to pose a threat to public safety, but many state and municipal lawmakers have nonetheless called for stricter rules on who can fly drones.
The FBI is among several agencies investigating the matter, and has asked residents to share videos, photos and other information they may have about the drones.
What was seen in New Jersey?
Dozens of witnesses reported seeing drones in New Jersey starting in November.
Initially, the drones were spotted flying along the scenic Raritan River, a waterway that feeds Round Valley Reservoir, the state’s largest aquifer, about 50 miles west of New York City.
But soon sightings were reported across the state, including near Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military research and manufacturing facility, and above President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster.
The plane was also recently spotted in coastal areas.
U.S. Rep. Chris Smith said a Coast Guard commanding officer told him that dozens of drones closely followed a Coast Guard lifeboat near Barnegat Light and Island Beach State Park in Ocean County over the weekend.
Are these drones dangerous?
Governor Murphy said the planes did not pose a threat, but did not provide any details to support that.
The reported drones are up to 6 feet in diameter and sometimes travel with their lights off, said Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia, who was briefed by the Department of Homeland Security. This is much larger than those typically used by drone enthusiasts, and she said they seem to avoid detection by traditional methods such as helicopters and radio.
Officials and experts say some witnesses may see planes or helicopters instead of drones, or may be confused about the size of the devices they see.
“There are certainly large drones out there, like agricultural drones, but they’re usually not the kind you see flying in urban or suburban areas,” John Duesler, president of the Pennsylvania Drone Association, said Dec. 12. 350 members, headquartered in Pittston, Pennsylvania.
“I wonder a little bit if this is some kind of fish story, as in ‘I caught a fish that big!’ kind of thing,” Mr. Duesler added. “At night, it’s hard to see how big the drones are, especially because they can be either Closer or far away from you. It’s really hard to get that perspective of how big it is.
Who sent the drones?
Authorities say they do not know who is behind the drones.
The FBI, Homeland Security and State Police are investigating these sightings. Authorities say they do not know whether a single drone was spotted multiple times or whether there were multiple drones being flown in a coordinated effort.
Speculation has flared online, with some expressing concerns that the drone, or drones, could be part of a nefarious plot by foreign agents. Officials stress that ongoing investigations at the state and federal levels have found no evidence to support these concerns.
Two Republican congressmen from the Jersey Shore, Mr. Smith and US Representative Jeff Van Drew, have called on the military to shoot down the drones, citing safety concerns.
The Pentagon insists that drones do not pose a threat from abroad.
Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said on December 12 that the military’s initial assessment after consulting with the Department of Homeland Security and the National Security Council — that the drones were not of foreign origin — had not changed.
Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said on December 11 that the planes were not US military drones.
Are drones allowed in New Jersey?
Flying drones for recreational and commercial use is legal in New Jersey, but is subject to local and federal aviation regulations and aviation restrictions.
Operators must be FAA certified.
Have drones been spotted anywhere else?
Sightings have also been reported in neighboring New York and Pennsylvania.
Drones were also spotted last month in the UK. The US Air Force said several small drones had been discovered near four military bases in England used by US forces.
This story was reported by the Associated Press. Associated Press writers Tara Cobb and Mark Sulforo contributed.