Current:Home > MarketsWhat do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey? -RiskWatch
What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
View
Date:2025-04-17 10:03:09
A large number of mysterious droneshave been reported flying over parts of New Jersey in recent weeks, sparking speculation and concern over who sent them and why.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and law enforcement officials have stressed that the drones don’t appear to be a threat to public safety,but many state and municipal lawmakers have nonetheless called for stricter rules about who can fly the unmanned aircraft.
The FBI is among several agencies investigating, and it has asked residents to share videos, photos and other information they may have about the drones.
What has been seen in New Jersey?
Dozens of witnesses have reported seeing drones in New Jersey starting in November.
At first, the drones were spotted flying along the scenic Raritan River, a waterway that feeds the Round Valley Reservoir, the state’s largest aquifer, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) west of New York City.
But soon sightings were reportedstatewide, including near the Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military research and manufacturing facility, and over President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster.
The aircraft have also recently been spotted in coastal areas.
U.S. Rep. Chris Smith said a Coast Guard commanding officer told him a dozen drones closely followed a Coast Guard lifeboat near Barnegat Light and Island Beach State Park in Ocean County over the weekend.
Are these drones dangerous?
Gov. Murphy has said the aircraft do not pose a threat, but has not provided any details to support this.
Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia, who was briefed by the Department of Homeland Security, said the reported drones have been up to 6 feet in diameter and sometimes travel with their lights switched off. This is much larger than those typically flown by drone hobbyists and she said they appear to avoid detection by traditional methods such as helicopter and radio.
Officials say some witnesses may actually be seeing planes or helicopters rather than drones.
Who sent the drones?
Authorities say they do not know who is behind the drones.
The FBI, Homeland Security and state police are investigating the sightings. Authorities say they don’t know if it is one drone that has been spotted many times or if there are multiple aircraft being flown in a coordinated effort.
Speculation has raged online, with some expressing concerns that the drone or drones could be part of a nefarious plot by foreign agents. Officials stress that ongoing state and federal investigations have found no evidence to support those fears.
Two Republican Jersey Shore-area congressmen, Smith and U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, have called on the military to shoot down the drones, citing safety concerns.
The Pentagon said Wednesday that “our initial assessment here is that these are not drones or activities coming from a foreign entity or adversary.”
Are drones allowed in New Jersey?
The flying of drones for recreational and commercial use is legal in New Jersey, but it is subject to local and Federal Aviation Administration regulations and flight restrictions.
Operators must be FAA certified.
Have drones been spotted anywhere else?
Sightings also have been reported in neighboring New York and Pennsylvania.
Drones were also spotted last month in the U.K. The U.S. Air Force saidseveral small unmanned aircraft were detected near four bases in England that are used by American forces.
Disclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.
veryGood! (48441)
Related
- In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
- Water samples tested after Maine firefighting foam spill, below guidelines for dangerous chemicals
- 2024 NBA Media Day: Live updates, highlights and how to watch
- The US is sending a few thousand more troops to the Middle East to boost security
- Meta releases AI model to enhance Metaverse experience
- Braves host Mets in doubleheader to determine last two NL playoff teams
- Braves host Mets in doubleheader to determine last two NL playoff teams
- Here’s how Helene and other storms dumped a whopping 40 trillion gallons of rain on the South
- At site of suspected mass killings, Syrians recall horrors, hope for answers
- Pete Rose, baseball’s banned hits leader, has died at age 83
Ranking
- Former Danish minister for Greenland discusses Trump's push to acquire island
- Epic Games sues Google and Samsung over phone settings, accusing them of violating antitrust laws
- Queer women rule pop, at All Things Go and in the current cultural zeitgeist
- Criminals set up fake online pharmacies to sell deadly counterfeit pills, prosecutors say
- Louvre will undergo expansion and restoration project, Macron says
- Paris Jackson Shares Sweet Reason Dad Michael Jackson Picked Elizabeth Taylor to Be Her Godmother
- DirecTV to acquire Dish Network, Sling for $1 in huge pay-TV merger
- Pete Rose made history in WWE: How he became a WWE Hall of Famer
Recommendation
Small twin
'Baby Reindeer' had 'major' differences with real-life story, judge says
Texas can no longer investigate alleged cases of vote harvesting, federal judge says
'THANK YOU SO MUCH': How social media is helping locate the missing after Helene
How to watch new prequel series 'Dexter: Original Sin': Premiere date, cast, streaming
Fantasy football buy low, sell high: 10 trade targets for Week 5
King Charles III Shares Insight Into Queen Elizabeth’s Final Days 2 Years After Her Death
Startling video shows Russian fighter jet flying within feet of U.S. F-16 near Alaska