Mystery drones flying over New Jersey have residents and officials puzzled

Residents across New Jersey have been trying to decipher who has been flying mysterious drones over the state, with some to share videos of sightings.

There is something strange happening in the skies above New Jersey, and no one seems quite sure what to make of it — not the governor, not members of Congress, not the FBI.

What they know is that starting in mid-November, dozens of drones have been spotted at night flying in at least 10 different counties across the state. What they don't know is where the drones are coming from, who's flying them and why.

The drones have been spotted above critical infrastructure, according to authorities, including reservoirs, electric transmission lines, rail stations, police departments and military installations. The White House said that there was no indication that the drones have foreign ties, but that the investigation into the sightings is ongoing.

A U.S. Army base in northern Morris County has already had at least 11 sightings, Army officials said this week, several of which came even after the Federal Aviation Administration moved to temporarily restrict drones from flying overhead. In neighboring Somerset County, the FAA has also banned drones from flying over the golf course owned by President-elect Donald Trump.

It's not illegal to fly a drone in New Jersey, so long as the operator is certified with the FAA. Small unregistered drones being used for recreation can be flown in unrestricted areas.

But the number and mysterious nature of the sightings have left many Garden State residents on edge. So too has their size, as many of the drones appear to be larger than those that are typically used by hobbyists.

The office of New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy did not respond to a request for comment, but speaking at an unrelated bill signing earlier this week, Murphy said there had been 49 sightings on Sunday alone.

Murphy's assurances did little to quiet the concerns of residents and other officials across the state. In a statement posted last week, the police chief of Florham Park, N.J., said "their presence appears nefarious in nature." And during a House hearing focused on unmanned aerial systems, N.J. Rep. Chris Smith, a Republican, said he thought the drones were a "very serious threat."

"There is a growing sense of uncertainty and urgency across the state — from constituents and local officials alike — despite assurances that the drones pose no known threats to public safety," Booker wrote in a letter to leaders at the FBI, and the Departments of Transportation and Homeland Security.

The Department of Homeland Security and the FBI have opened an investigation, but bureau officials say key questions remain unresolved.

National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters on Thursday that, so far, there was no evidence that the drones pose a threat to national security or public safety — or that they have a "foreign nexus."

He said the federal government is taking the reports seriously and, working with state and local law enforcement, has used "very sophisticated electronic detection technologies" in its investigation.

"Upon review of available imagery, it appears that many of the reported sightings are actually manned aircraft that are being operated lawfully," Kirby said.

The U.S. Coast Guard also confirmed that there's no sign of foreign involvement from coastal vessels, and no confirmed drone sightings in restricted airspace, according to Kirby.

In a statement, the FBI said it "remains engaged with our federal, state, local, and tribal partners to share information and protect the public." It added that any drones "that pose a danger to any aircraft or are observed operating in restricted airspace or near critical infrastructure and other sensitive sites, can be reported to the FBI."

The flights over New Jersey have led to calls for the military to shoot down the unidentified drones, but under federal law the military is largely prohibited from doing so unless the drone poses an imminent threat. It is also illegal for individuals to shoot down any aircraft — including drones.

President-elect Trump called for authorities to shoot down the mysterious drones that have been seen in the skies of New Jersey and around the country.

He also suggested the government must know more about the mysterious sightings.

“Mystery Drone sightings all over the Country. Can this really be happening without our government’s knowledge. I don think so! Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shot them down!!! DJT”-  the incoming president wrote on Truth Social.

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