Mysterious Drones Still Spotted Over New Jersey

Joshua Van

Between 2021 and 2023, over 2,000 drone sightings were recorded near U.S. airports by the TSA. This shows how common these drones are becoming. Now, New Jersey is facing a mystery in the skies, with many drones seen flying without explanation.

Reports say drones are still seen in New Jersey, especially near Picatinny Arsenal. Similar sightings have happened in the UK near military bases. This has raised big concerns about these drones and their safety. Even NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers talked about it on “The Pat McAfee Show,” showing how much people are interested.

Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) is worried and wants answers fast. He wants the military and intelligence agencies to be open about what’s going on. The FBI is looking into it, but they haven’t shared much yet. This has left many questions about these drones.

Key Takeaways

Ongoing reports of mysterious drone sightings across New Jersey, particularly near military facilities like Picatinny Arsenal
Similar incidents have been reported in the United Kingdom, raising concerns about potential security implications
Congressman Chris Smith has called for urgent investigations and transparency from authorities
The FBI has launched an investigation, but details remain scarce, leaving the public eager for answers
The widespread attention on this phenomenon, including commentary from NFL players, underscores the public’s fascination with the mystery

Recent Wave of Drone Sightings Across New Jersey and Beyond

Drone sightings in New Jersey have been a big deal lately. Since mid-November, drones have been seen in many counties. These include Bergen, Essex, Hunterdon, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, Somerset, and Warren.

Timeline of Sightings Since November

The first drones were seen just before Thanksgiving. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported 49 sightings on one Sunday night. This was a big start to the mystery.

Geographical Spread to New York and Pennsylvania

Drone sightings have now reached New York and Pennsylvania. Staten Island in New York and Pennsylvania have seen drones too. People in these places are worried, with drones flying very low.

Impact on Local Communities

Drone sightings have made people in local communities nervous. But New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy says they’re not a danger right now. Leaders are working with law enforcement and federal officials to keep everyone safe.

Location	Number of Drone Sightings
New Jersey	Over 2,000 since 2021
U.S. Airports	326 in Q1 2024
New Jersey Counties	Hundreds since November

“The mysterious drones have been spotted nearly every night since November 18 in Morris, Passaic, Bergen, and Hunterdon counties, and other areas in New Jersey.”

As the mystery of the drones continues, everyone is watching closely. Local communities and federal agencies are working hard. They want to keep everyone safe and figure out what’s going on.

Military Installations and Critical Infrastructure Under Surveillance

Recent drone sightings in New Jersey have raised big concerns. These drones have been seen near military bases and important infrastructure. For example, the Picatinny Arsenal, a key U.S. Army facility, has been targeted.

Drone sightings have also been reported near water reservoirs, power lines, and police stations. This shows how vulnerable our secure sites are to drone threats. It’s a serious issue for national security.

Over 2,000 drone sightings near U.S. airports were recorded by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) between 2021 and 2023.
In the first quarter of 2024 alone, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported 326 drone-related incidents near planes and helicopters.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) report points out a dramatic spike in incidents involving drones near critical airspace.

The U.S. government is taking action. The U.S. Army deployed its Directed Energy Maneuver-Short Range Air Defense (DE M-SHORAD) laser weapon to the Middle East for real-world testing in March 2024. Also, new laws are being made to handle drone issues better.

“The mysterious drones started being spotted in North Jersey on Nov. 18 and have continued to appear nearly every night since then. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy mentioned that there were 49 drone sightings on a single Sunday night.”

The situation in New Jersey shows we need better ways to deal with drones. Officials are working hard to find out why these drones are flying at night. They want to keep everyone safe and secure.

FBI and Federal Investigations into Mysterious Drones Still Spotted Over New Jersey

The rise in mysterious drone sightings in New Jersey has led to a federal probe by the FBI. The FBI is trying to find out who is behind these drones and why they are flying them. They are working hard to solve this mystery.

FAA Flight Restrictions Implementation

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has put in place temporary flight bans in New Jersey. These bans cover areas like the Picatinny Arsenal military base and the Trump National Golf Club Bedminster. The goal is to keep the skies safe and avoid any disruptions to military or critical sites.

Joint Agency Response Efforts

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is working with the FBI and local police to handle the drone issue.
Experts from the FAA and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are teaming up to understand and tackle the problem.
Lawmakers are worried and want quick action to protect public safety and national security from these drones.

National Security Implications

The rise in drone technology has brought up big national security worries. These drones could be used for spying, smuggling, or even terrorism. The FBI and other federal agencies are taking this very seriously. They see the danger these drones pose to important places and people’s safety.

“The situation highlights the need for strong counter-drone measures and a united effort to deal with these mysterious drones,” said a high-ranking federal official involved in the probe.

Public Safety Concerns and Emergency Response Disruptions

The mysterious drones in New Jersey have caused big public safety concerns. They have also messed up emergency response efforts. For example, drones stopped a medical helicopter from helping someone hurt in a car crash. This shows how dangerous these drones can be.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) says there were 326 drone-related incidents near planes and helicopters in the first quarter of 2024. This has made it hard for local police to deal with the problem. They don’t have the right tools or laws to quickly handle drone threats.

“I was scared to death when I saw those drones. I worry for my family’s safety, and it’s concerning that the authorities don’t seem to have a handle on the situation,” shared a member of the growing “New Jersey Drones — let’s solve it” Facebook group, which has amassed over 22,000 members in just nine days.

The drones have made a lot of people worried. They show we really need strong public safety steps and emergency response plans. We must act fast to deal with these aviation safety risks.

Legal Framework and Drone Operation Regulations

Drone sightings are on the rise in New Jersey and elsewhere. It’s important to know the laws about drone use and the risks of breaking them. Drone rules help keep everyone safe, but the laws are still changing.

Restrictions on Nighttime Drone Operations

Drone flights are banned at night in places like New York City. Yet, drones are still seen flying in the evenings. Drone pilots must follow these rules to avoid legal trouble.

Consequences of Illegal Drone Interference

It’s against the law to mess with or shoot down drones, even if they’re over private land. This is a serious crime that could cause harm. The rules for dealing with drones are still being worked out by agencies like the DoD, DHS, and DOJ.

Federal Aviation Guidelines

The FAA has rules for drones near airports, military bases, and big events.
These rules help keep drones safe and prevent harm to people and security.
Drone users need to know the FAA’s latest rules to stay out of trouble.

The drone world is growing fast. It’s key for everyone to know the drone laws and follow them. This helps keep trust and makes sure drones are used safely.

Conclusion

The mysterious drone sightings in New Jersey and nearby areas show the big challenges of drone technology. Counter-drone tech is getting better, but we still face big gaps in stopping unauthorized drones. This calls for more work on counter-UAS tech, better rules, and teamwork between different levels of government.

Dealing with drone issues needs a team effort to keep communities safe. As drones get more advanced, it’s key for leaders, police, and the public to stay alert and act fast. This will help tackle the complex problems of these drone sightings.

By using strong counter-drone plans, better rules, and working together, we can handle this situation better. Tackling drone challenges head-on will help protect people and important places from drone threats.

FAQ

What is the recent wave of mysterious drone sightings over New Jersey?

Mysterious drones have been seen over New Jersey, especially near Picatinny Arsenal. Similar sightings have happened in the UK near military bases. NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers talked about it on “The Pat McAfee Show.”

Drone sightings started a week before Thanksgiving in November. They were first seen in several New Jersey counties. Now, they’ve also been spotted in New York and Pennsylvania.

How have local communities been impacted by the drone sightings?

The drone sightings have really affected local communities. People have seen clusters of drones flying over different areas. Some drones have even flown as low as treetop level.

Local leaders have told law enforcement and federal officials about the drones. They say there’s no immediate danger to public safety.

What are the national security concerns surrounding the drone sightings?

The drones have been seen near sensitive places like military bases and critical infrastructure. Picatinny Arsenal, the U.S. Army’s Armaments Center, is one such location. Other sites include water reservoirs and electric lines.

This situation shows how vulnerable secure facilities and military installations are to drones. It raises big national security worries.

What is the federal government’s response to the drone sightings?

The FBI is looking into the drone sightings, but they don’t have much info yet. The FAA has put temporary flight bans over Picatinny Arsenal and Trump National Golf Club Bedminster. The Department of Homeland Security is also involved.

How have the drone sightings impacted public safety and emergency response?

The drones have caused big public safety worries and messed up emergency responses. In one case, drones stopped a medical helicopter from picking up a crash victim. This shows the dangers drones pose to aviation safety.

The FAA says there were 326 drone-related incidents near planes and helicopters in the first quarter of 2024.

What are the legal implications surrounding the drone operations?

Flying drones at night is banned in New York City, but these sightings keep happening. It’s illegal to interfere with or shoot down drones, even over private property. This is a federal crime that can lead to serious consequences.

The laws for dealing with drones are still being worked on. Agencies like the DoD, DHS, and DOJ struggle to quickly respond to drone threats.