Rising Concerns Surround Mysterious New Jersey Drones: Key Insights to Date
This week, numerous lawmakers at both state and federal levels have expressed the need for greater transparency following reports from residents and local officials about drone sightings across New Jersey.
Incidents of Drone Crashes Reported
Authorities in Pequannock Township, New Jersey, reported that a drone crashed into a residential backyard on Thursday night, as stated on the township’s police department’s Facebook page.
According to the statement, the drone involved was described as a “hobby or toy type,” distinguishing it from larger commercial or military drones.
Pequannock Mayor Ryan Herd shared with the New York Post that after visiting the crash site, he confirmed the drone was not one of the larger, car-sized models reported recently across the state. Nevertheless, he expressed concern regarding the enigma surrounding these drone sightings.
“Drones are flying over our houses, which is our private property. My family is here,” he remarked.
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Meanwhile, in Hillsborough Township, New Jersey, officials reported on Friday that they received unconfirmed accounts of a drone colliding with a power line. However, no evidence of such an incident was found.
Governors Respond
On Friday, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy sent a letter to President Joe Biden raising his concerns about the drones and requesting federal assistance.
“While I am sincerely grateful for your administration’s leadership in addressing this concerning issue, it is evident that more resources are required to understand this activity fully,” Murphy noted.
The governor emphasized that the sightings of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) have raised more questions than answers and that the public deserves “more concrete information” regarding the issue.
“I respectfully urge you to direct the involved federal agencies to collaborate until they find answers regarding the UAS sightings,” he added.
In Staten Island, New York, officials held a news conference addressing the drone sightings, calling on the federal government and NYPD to take action.
“Millions around here in New Jersey and Staten Island, among others, are receiving nothing but a message saying, ‘don’t believe what you see,’” remarked Borough President Vito Fossella at the event. “The residents of Staten Island deserve answers, as do those in this city, state, and region regarding what is occurring.”
Fossella insisted that the government should prioritize transparency. “Let’s be honest with the American populace, treat them like adults, and disclose what’s really happening,” he urged.
Timeline of Sightings
Numerous drone sightings have been reported throughout New Jersey since November. The first instances were noted flying along the Raritan River, which feeds the Round Valley Reservoir—the state’s largest aquifer located approximately 50 miles from New York City.
However, the sightings soon extended across the state, with reports of drones near the Picatinny Arsenal, a military research and manufacturing site, as well as above President-elect Donald Trump’s Bedminster golf course, as noted by local officials. Recently, drones have also been observed in coastal regions.
Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ) reported this week that a Coast Guard officer informed him about over a dozen drones tracking a Coast Guard lifeboat near Barnegat Light and Island Beach State Park in Ocean County during the weekend.
Senator Reports Drone Sightings
Earlier on Friday, Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) shared multiple statements on social media regarding the drone incidents.
In a series of posts on X, he recounted what he witnessed overnight while on patrol with local police in Hunterdon County, New Jersey.
US Officials Reinforce No Threat
An FBI spokesperson informed The Epoch Times via an emailed statement on Thursday that both the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) consider the reported drones to present no threat, noting that some sightings reported may have been misinterpretations of “manned aircraft.”
According to the statement, the two agencies “currently have no evidence that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or public safety threat, nor do they have evidence linking them to foreign entities.”
The FBI, DHS, alongside federal partners, in coordination with the New Jersey State Police, continue to deploy personnel and technology to investigate the situation further and ascertain whether these reported flights are indeed drones, or misidentified manned aircraft or false sightings.
White House National Security Council press secretary John Kirby echoed similar sentiments during a Thursday press briefing, confirming that these do not appear to be military drones and do not seem to be connected to any foreign origin.
Concerns Raised About Iran
Earlier this week, Representative Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) cautioned that some drones might be of Iranian origin, prompting calls for more decisive action from the White House.
On Wednesday, the Department of Defense clarified that there is no evidence suggesting any Iranian involvement with these drones.
“There is no Iranian vessel located off the U.S. coast, nor is there a mothership launching drones towards the United States,” Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh stated during a press conference.
In response, Van Drew publicly criticized U.S. officials, suggesting they were not being truthful. “We aren’t receiving accurate information,” he stated in an interview with Fox News. “They’re treating the American public like we’re naive.”
Governor Murphy also dismissed Van Drew’s claims about a possible link to Iran. “I’m uncertain about the sources of his information, but he may want to stay updated with current events,” he advised Politico. “Israel has dealt significant blows to Iran, and we have implemented stringent economic sanctions on them.
“Let’s avoid inciting fear. Instead, let’s commit to fact-based efforts to address this situation collectively.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
