Series of drone sightings puzzle New Jersey authorities. Large-size drones seem to fly in critical structures around New Jersey, according to reports filed in recent weeks. Most of those have to deal with large flying devices going over vital resources and major infrastructure hubs like military bases and police stations. A look into how these sightings progressed, action from the responsible authorities to get the people prepared, and finally speculations made on this new class of mysterious flying gadgets.
Timeline of sightings
Strange drone activity started on November 18, 2024, in Morris County, New Jersey. Early reports said that drones had been spotted near the Picatinny Arsenal, a military research facility. Since then, sightings have proliferated throughout a number of counties to include Somerset and Bergen, extending onto Staten Island and parts of Pennsylvania.
Residents have reported seeing these drones mostly at night, and often in groups. Sightings began to increase at the beginning of December, with 49 reports recorded on December 8 alone. Local law enforcement have characterized the drones as of a “suspicious nature,” and communities where the drones have been seen are on high alert.
Official responses
The response from state and federal authorities has been multi-faceted. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said there is “no known threat” posed by the drones but conceded frustration with the lack of concrete answers over their origin and purpose. He has spoken to federal agencies about the need to address public concerns and get more information.
The FBI has received over 3,000 tips about the sightings, and agents are investigating the incidents with local law enforcement. FBI officials said recently that they are investigating a “cluster of what appear to be drones” and asking residents to report any sightings or videos.
Due to the growing number of sightings, the FAA issued temporary flight restrictions over those areas where the sightings took place, including Picatinny Arsenal and Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster.
Theories surrounding the drones
With speculation at an all-time high, theories about who the operators are and what their motivation might be have abounded:
- Local hobbyists: Other analysts believe the sightings may relate to local hobbyists that are experimenting with larger than usual drones. Brandon Valeriano, a professor at Seton Hall, says that when people cannot quickly explain a phenomenon, there is often a move towards extreme explanations.
- Military or defense contractors: Given that many sightings occurred near military sites like Picatinny Arsenal, some theorists speculate a connection to military operations or defense contractors testing new technology. Clint Emerson, a former Navy SEAL, mentioned that classified military projects could explain why officials claim ignorance about the drones’ origins.
- Foreign entities: The most bombastic of these was when it was claimed by Congressman Jeff Van Drew that Iranian forces could be behind such activity, purporting that a “mothership” was launching drones off the East Coast, which Pentagon officials were quick to deny.
- Extraterrestrial theories: And in a more fanciful direction, some social media users have thrown out guesses as to extraterrestrial involvement or clandestine psychological operations designed to distract people from pressing issues.
Public reaction
The drone sightings have sparked significant anxiety among New Jersey residents. While some view them as harmless curiosities or hobbyist activities, others express fear about potential surveillance or threats to public safety. Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia voiced her concerns on social media, emphasizing that there is still much uncertainty regarding these aerial phenomena.
To get ahead of the game, local law enforcement agencies have started deploying their own drones in hopes of gathering more information about the mysterious aircraft. Members of the communities are asked to report any unusual activity or share footage of their interactions with the drones.
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