Mystery drone sightings keep happening in New Jersey. Here’s what we know (and don’t know)

A large number mysterious drones There have been reports of flights over parts of New Jersey and the East Coast in recent weeks, leading to speculation and concern about who sent them and why.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy wrote to President Joe Biden asking for answers. New Jersey’s new senator, Andy Kim, spent Thursday evening drone hunting in rural Northern New Jersey and posted about it on X.

Murphy and law enforcement officials have emphasized that the drones do not appear to pose a threat to public safety, but many state and municipal lawmakers have nevertheless called for stricter rules on who can fly the unmanned aircraft.

The FBI is one of several agencies investigating and has asked residents to share videos, photos and other information about the drones.

Dozens of witnesses have reported seeing drones in New Jersey starting in November.

The drones were initially spotted flying along the scenic Raritan River, a waterway that feeds the Round Valley Reservoir, the state’s largest aquifer, about 50 miles west of New York City.

But sightings were soon reported across the state, including near the Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military research and production facility, and above President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster.

The planes have also recently been spotted in coastal areas.

U.S. Rep. Chris Smith said a Coast Guard commander told him that a dozen drones were closely tracking a Coast Guard rescue boat this weekend near Barnegat Light and Island Beach State Park in Ocean County.

Drone sightings have now been reported in New York City, where a permit is required, and Mayor Eric Adams says the city is investigating and cooperating with New Jersey and federal officials.

The runways at Stewart International Airport – about 60 miles north of New York City – were shut down for about an hour Friday evening due to drone activity in the airspace, New York Governor Kathy Hochul said.

“This goes too far,” she said in a statement.

The governor called on Congress to pass legislation to strengthen the FAA’s oversight of drones and give more authority to state and local law enforcement agencies to investigate the activity.

“Extending these powers to New York State and our colleagues is essential,” she said. “Until these powers are granted to state and local officials, the Biden administration must intervene by sending additional federal law enforcement to New York and the surrounding region to ensure the safety of our critical infrastructure and our people.”

The White House has said that a review of reported sightings shows that many of these are actually manned aircraft being flown legally, echoing the opinion of officials and drone experts.

The federal Department of Homeland Security and the FBI also said in a joint statement that they have no evidence that the sightings “pose a threat to national security or public safety or have a foreign connection.”

Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia, who was briefed by the Department of Homeland Security, said the reported drones are up to 6 feet in diameter and sometimes travel with their lights turned off. This far exceeds what drone hobbyists typically fly and she said they appear to avoid detection by traditional methods such as helicopter and radio.

Authorities say they do not know who is behind the drones.

The FBI, Homeland Security and State Police are investigating the sightings. Authorities say they do not know if it is one drone that has been spotted many times or if several aircraft are being flown in a coordinated effort.

There is speculation online, with some expressing concern that the drone or drones could be part of a nefarious plot by foreign agents. Officials emphasize that ongoing state and federal investigations have found no evidence to support these fears.

Two Republican congressmen from the Jersey Shore area, Smith and U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, have called on the military to shoot down the drones, citing safety concerns.

The Pentagon insists the drones do not pose a threat from abroad.

Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said Thursday that the military’s initial assessment after consultation with the Department of Homeland Security and the National Security Council — that the drones are not of foreign origin — remains unchanged.

Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said Wednesday that the planes are not U.S. military drones.

President-elect Donald Trump has said he believes the government knows more than it says. “Let the public know, now. Otherwise, shoot them!!!” he posted on his social media site.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut said Thursday that the drowning victims “should be shot down if necessary,” even as it remains unclear who owns the unmanned aircraft.

“We should do a very urgent intelligence assessment and take them off the air, especially if they fly over airports or military bases,” Blumenthal said.

However, experts warn against shooting anything in the air.

Trisha Bushey, 48, of Lebanon Township, New Jersey, lives near the Round Valley Reservoir where numerous sightings have been made and said she does not believe the claim that the drones do not pose a risk to public safety.

“How can you say it’s not a threat if you don’t know what it is?” she said. “I think that’s why so many people feel uncomfortable.”

Flying drones for recreational and commercial use is legal in New Jersey, but is subject to local and Federal Aviation Administration regulations and flight restrictions.

In New York City, a permit is required to take off or land an unmanned aircraft.

Operators must be FAA certified.

Sightings have also been reported in Virginia and elsewhere.

Two people said they saw a plane Thursday evening near Virginia Beach that was unlike any other they have ever seen.

The flying object was over the ocean and they watched as it moved slowly over a Virginia Army National Guard facility, John Knight told The Virginian-Pilot.

“It was definitely different,” said Knight, who shot video from what he said was a drone the size of a small truck.

“It flew like a helicopter but made no sound,” he added.

The Virginia National Guard had no aircraft in the area of ​​the facility Thursday evening, according to spokesman AA “Cotton” Puryear. Management is aware of the incident and it is being investigated, Puryear said.

Another military installation in the area is the Naval Air Station Oceana Dam Neck Annex. NAS Oceana, the East Coast’s main jet base in Virginia Beach, is aware of recent reports of drone sightings in the area and is coordinating with federal and state agencies to ensure the safety of its personnel and operations, said Katie Hewett, public affairs officer . in an email Friday.

Knight submitted the videos to the FBI tip line Thursday evening.

Drones were also spotted in Great Britain last month The US Air Force said so several small unmanned aircraft were detected near four military bases in England used by US forces.

___

Miller reported from Oklahoma City. Bruce Schreiner contributed from Shelbyville, Kentucky.