Drone Sightings Mount In NJ As Officials Demand Answers

NEW JERSEY — As local officials and law enforcement agencies continue investigating reports of suspicious drone activity, Gov. Phil Murphy reiterated that there appears to be no threat to public safety from the drones.

“This is something we’re taking deadly seriously. I don’t blame people for being frustrated,” he told reporters after an unrelated bill signing on Monday.

Since mid-November, residents in a growing number of communities have been spotting the unidentified flying machines at night, sometimes traveling in clusters.

The governor said there were 49 sightings reported in the state on Sunday, but that some were duplicate sightings or were not actually drones.

"We don’t see any concern for public safety,” Murphy said. “Having said that, it’s really frustrating that we don’t have more answers as to where they’re coming from and why they’re doing what they’re doing.”

Local officials have been demanding more answers from state and federal investigators as reported sightings of the low-flying drones continue around neighborhoods, and even near military bases.

More sightings this weekend

Officials in at least 12 counties have received reports of the drones, with police in Camden and Middlesex Counties now joining the chorus of law enforcement agencies that are looking into the mystery.

Middletown Mayor Tony Perry also said that six drones were spotted near Naval Weapons Station Earle on Friday night.

Also on Friday, Evesham Police Chief Walt Miller said some drones "were described as large as an SUV with blinking lights on them." Miller said that cops in Cherry Hill, Mount Laurel and Medford have also received complaints about the drones.

And police in Voorhees, which borders Evesham, sent an advisory Saturday about an increase of "suspicious" drone activity in the area.

The Ocean County Sheriff's Office, which has a Drone Unit assigned to review residents' complaints, told News12 they captured footage of one of the flying objects over the weekend. The drone captured on video was larger than the ones flown by hobbyists, officers told News 12, and was flying an estimated 60 to 70 mph.

"We took some video of it, and we’re not really sure what it was," Sgt. Kevin Fennessy said. "Definitely something flying low and fast.”

Officials in other New Jersey towns and counties have been expressing concerns about drone flights near infrastructure resources such as water reservoirs, power transmission lines, rail stations, and law enforcement agencies. This includes police in East Brunswick, who asked residents to report any drone activity near sensitive sites.

"Currently, there is no information indicating any specific, immediate, credible threats," police said on Saturday.

Some have theorized that these sightings are not drones at all, but rather airplanes, satellites or helicopters. However, public safety officials continue referring to the aircraft as drones, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).

Local police departments have been coordinating with state and federal agencies as the Federal Bureau of Investigation leads an investigation into the drone activity.

Mayors 'hindered' by lack of info

The appearances began in Morris County, where 19 mayors have now sent a letter to Gov. Murphy expressing their "deep concern" about the paucity of answers, and demanding more information from higher-ups.

"The lack of information and clarity regarding these operations has caused fear and frustration among our constituents," officials wrote, noting that there are more than 500,000 residents of the county.

Community leaders identified four urgent concerns with the unexplained flights: Public safety, privacy and security, community well-being, and air space restrictions. Several local council members also signed this letter, which was sent Sunday.

"Our efforts to address these concerns have been hindered by the lack of information available to us," the letter states.

The local officials requested a full investigation into the origin and purpose of the mysterious flights, "clear communication" to local officials, law enforcement, and residents about their findings, and the implementation of measures to prevent unauthorized or unsafe drone flights in Morris Co. in the future.

The mayors signing on to the letter represent Chester Borough and Chester Township, East Hanover, Florham Park, Hanover, Jefferson, Long Hill, Mendham Borough and Mendham Township, Mine Hill, Montville, Mount Arlington, Mount Olive, Parsippany- Troy Hills, Pequannock, Riverdale, Rockaway Borough and Rockaway Township, Roxbury, Washington Township, and Wharton.

As of Monday morning, Murphy has yet to respond to this letter specifically. The governor said he met with the Office of Homeland Security, state safety officials, and members of Congress for a briefing last week.

There has been little information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which began its own investigation on Nov. 26.

The FBI's Newark office and New Jersey State Police are asking for the public to report any information related to the drone sightings to the FBI by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submit it online at tips.fbi.gov by selecting "Submit a Tip" under the "Other FBI Crimes" tab. The FBI also is asking for photos and video of any drone sightings.

State lawmakers weigh in

Calls for more details have also come in from the New Jersey statehouse, as all three Republican legislators from the 23rd district (Hunterdon-Somerset-Warren) are demanding action from Murphy and their colleagues in Trenton.

Sen. Doug Steinhardt is asking legislative leaders to convene a bipartisan panel to address the mystery drones, while Assemblymembers John DiMaio and Erik Peterson told Murphy to "explain what you know or work to get answers immediately."

DiMaio and Peterson noted an incident on Nov. 26 where a medical helicopter had to change its landing location because drones were hovering around the scene of a car crash.

"This reckless behavior has to immediately cease and the public deserves an explanation," they said.

Steinhardt called on Senate President Nicholas Scutari (D-22) and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-19) to "make it clear" that legislators hear their concerns and are taking them seriously. He called for a bipartisan panel to "to solicit statements, ask questions, and subpoena documents where necessary to ensure transparency."

"The incomplete answers and evasive assurances given by the Governor and others in authority positions have raised more questions than they have answered," he said.