Last Updated:
Besides causing anxiety and frustration among New Jersey residents, the unexplained drone sightings have prompted heightened security concerns among security officials at a local, federal as well as military level
New Jersey residents have described the drones as frequently hovering overhead, sometimes travelling in clusters or making different kinds of patterns. (Image: X)
Mystery drones in the sky have left New Jersey residents perplexed, with many saying these unexplained sightings have persisted for weeks. They have captured numerous videos of these “drones”, which some said were “SUV sized” while others said they looked “like a small car”.
Besides causing anxiety and frustration, this “phenomenon” has prompted heightened security concerns among security officials at a local, federal as well as military level. Residents have described the drones as frequently hovering overhead, sometimes travelling in clusters or making different kinds of patterns.
Reports said this has been going on for weeks with at least 180 sightings per night, according to state lawmakers who attended a security briefing on Wednesday (December 11). An internet user claimed to have captured a video of one of these “SUV sized drones” in “New Jersey & Pennsylvania skies”, as per a post on X on December 9.
Another internet user posted a video saying a “government helicopter” was spotted over New Jersey “investigating drones” in a “residential neighborhood”. “A large ‘drone’ appears to be right behind the helicopter as he flys by,” (sic) wrote the user on X. “The Government just told everyone to don’t worry about what you’re seeing in the sky.” (sic)
Resident captures a government helicopter investigating “drones” in New Jersey, appears to be a residential neighborhoodA large “drone” appears to be right behind the helicopter as he flys by
The Government just told everyone to don’t worry about what you’re seeing in the sky pic.twitter.com/JZMijDMEh2
— Wall Street Apes (@WallStreetApes) December 12, 2024
‘NO PUBLIC SAFETY RISKS’
While the New Jersey governor said there was no threat to public safety, other state officials and local mayors are alarmed. “I’m legitimately concerned for what the hell is going on because nobody knows,” state assemblyman Brian Bergen told CNN affiliate News 12 New Jersey on Wednesday.
“We are literally being invaded by drones. We have no idea who is doing it and where they’re coming from,” said Pequannock Mayor Ryan Herb, as per a CNN report.
CNN further quoted a Facebook video post by the mayor of Belleville Township, Michael Melham, saying law enforcement had not yet identified the origin or landing site of these drones that “primarily operate at night”. He claimed that these devices have possibly failed to be detected because they possess “evasion capabilities”.
“One of the takeaways today was that these drones statewide are hovering and appearing to be surveilling New Jersey’s critical infrastructure,” he was quoted.
The report further said the mayor of West Milford, Michele Dale, reported 60 drones hovering over local reservoirs. The Pentagon, however, rebuffed speculation that these drones originated from a foreign entity.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, however, reassured the local residents saying they should feel secure, while also acknowledging their fears. “Based on everything we know, there are no public safety risks we’re aware of,” he was quoted by a local radio station. “Is it frustrating to have no answers? Is it frustrating to not have a source for these things? Yes.”
‘NO IRANIAN SHIP, NO SO-CALLED MOTHERSHIP’
On Wednesday, Congressman Jeff Van Drew, a New Jersey Republican, told Fox News that the drones belonged to “a mothership” from Iran that is “off the East Coast of the United States of America”.
“There is not any truth to that,” deputy Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh was quoted. “There is no Iranian ship off the coast of the United States, and there’s no so-called mothership launching drones towards the United States.”
In another statement, US Northern Command – overseeing the Defense Department’s homeland security efforts – said it had “conducted a deliberate analysis of the events” about the drone sightings but had not been asked “to assist with these events”.
A spokesperson for the US Coast Guard, which is part of Homeland Security, confirmed a drone encounter. “Multiple low-altitude aircraft were observed in the vicinity of one of our vessels near Island Beach State Park,” Coast Guard Lt Luke Pinneo told The Associated Press, adding that they were not seen as an immediate threat and did not interfere with operations.
HOW DID IT ALL BEGIN?
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the sightings began on November 18 near Morris County in New Jersey. It said the drones were large, with some measuring up to 6 feet in diameter, and spotted at night from dusk until 11 pm.
On X, state assembly member Dawn Fantasia said the drones operate in a coordinated manner, turning off their lights to evade detection, complicating tracking efforts. They are not identified as hobbyist drones or linked to the Department of Homeland Security, Fantasia added.
The matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which is the lead agency, along with the New Jersey State Police and the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness. The US Coast Guard is assessing jurisdictional responses.
Military officials and state lawmakers said drones were also spotted near a military research facility, and over President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster. These sightings prompted the FAA to issue temporary flight restrictions over the properties.
(With agency inputs)
- Location :
Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
