Over the past few weeks, reported sightings of drones have had municipal residents, police departments, local and state officials concerned and puzzled across New Jersey.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, FBI, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and U.S. Department of Defense issued a joint statement on Dec. 16 stating that after examining the technical data and tips from New Jersey and other states impacted they have assessed the sightings so far as a combination of lawful commercial drones, hobbyist drones, law enforcement drones, manned fixed-winged aircraft, helicopters, and stars mistaken as drones.
“We have not identified anything anomalous and do not assess the activity to date to present a national security or public safety risk over civilian airspace in New Jersey or other states in the Northeast,” they said.
Municipal police departments and municipalities across the state have been impacted by reported sightings of drones prompting messages asking to assist in capturing images and videos to be reported to the FBI.
The federal agencies explained they are continuing to provide state and local authorities with advanced detection technology and support for law enforcement.
“Additionally, there have been a limited number of visual sightings of drones over military facilities in New Jersey and elsewhere, including within restricted airspace,” they said, adding that local commanders are engaged to ensure appropriate detection and mitigation efforts are in place. “Such sightings near or over DoD (Department of Defense) installations are not new.”
The FBI Newark office and New Jersey State Police have also informed the public that manned aircraft pilots are having lasers hit their eyes from people “possibly firing weapons at what they believe to be unmanned aircrafts (UAS) or drones.”
FBI Newark noted they have tracked operators acting illegally or with nefarious intent and warned “there could be dangerous and possibly deadly consequences if manned aircraft are targeted mistakenly as UAS.
Newly elected U.S. Sen. Andy Kim and Gov. Phil Murphy recently went out separately with law enforcement to spot drone flying and survey unmanned aircraft in the state.
Kim and Sen. Cory Booker sent a joint letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) – among other agencies – requesting with “urgent concern” an immediate briefing from federal agencies on recent mysterious drone sightings over New Jersey and New York.
Along with DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, the letter went to administrator Michael Whitaker of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and FBI Director Christopher A. Wray on Dec. 11.
“As you know, since late November, communities in the New York City area and northern New Jersey have reported several incidents of unattributable drone sightings at night, alarming both residents and local law enforcement,” the letter stated. “… In addition to potential privacy concerns raised by these aerial systems, we are also especially concerned about how these drones may harm public safety, especially given recent reports that a medivac helicopter was prevented from transporting a seriously injured patient for care because of the presence of these drones.
“The potential safety and security risks posed by these drones in civilian areas is especially pertinent considering recent drone incursions at sensitive military sites in and outside of the continental United States over the past year,” the letter added.
“Protecting civilian infrastructure, safety, and privacy, as well as military assets and personnel, will require a comprehensive response from Congress and the executive branch.”
Booker and Kim were joined in the letter by U.S. senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles E. Schumer of New York, who requested a federal response no later than Dec. 23. U.S. and New Jersey homeland security officials have told legislators there “is no known threat” from the drones, but as assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin observed, “there was also no explanation given for the increased sightings.”
“Like most residents, my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and I want answers as soon as possible, and we will continue to press federal authorities for additional information.”
