East Brunswick Mayor Gives Update After Attending White House Briefing On Drones

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — Mayor Brad Cohen joined several mayors from across the state to attend a briefing by the White House on the drones across NJ skies.

The briefing was held on Monday at 3:30 p.m. Mayors were told that the Federal government and state are working together to investigate reports of drone activity. The Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Aviation Association, the FBI, and local government agencies are also helping in the investigation.

“There are over one million lawfully registered drones and thousands of law enforcement drones,5931 reports to date. 98 have been deemed credible requiring investigation,” Cohen said in his update. “Not one of the 98 was supportive of violations.”

Some sightings reported by residents were legally manned aircraft, including helicopters and planes (both small and large commercial).

The Coast Guard have confirmed that there is no threat from waterways.

Meanwhile, the Department of Defense told the mayors that they are aware of drone sightings over military bases and that it is not new, and they have not identified any threats.

“Radar equipment has not detected drones failing to emit radiofrequency as radar equipment will identify such drones,” Cohen said in his update.

However, the FAA and Homeland Security have cautioned residents from using laser equipment as this is dangerous to pilots and passengers.

“Some of the increased activity is proposed to be from residents sending up drones to try to investigate sitings on their own,” Cohen said. “We are requesting the public to refrain from such activity.”

The Mayor stressed that government agencies have assured him and other officials that there is no threat to public safety from these mystery drones.

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