Drone Sightings Over Morris County Spark Mayoral Demands For Action

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — More than a dozen Morris County mayors are demanding answers and immediate action from authorities in response to a series of mysterious drone sightings across North Jersey in recent weeks.

Unexplained drones have been spotted flying across various parts of New Jersey since mid-November, with the majority of sightings concentrated in North Jersey, authorities said.

The drones have been observed making nightly flights, often in clusters, and appear to be hovering near military facilities, water reservoirs, and other critical infrastructure.

Over the past week, drones have been spotted in towns such as Mendham, Chester, Randolph, Roxbury, Morris Township, Rockaway, Dover, and beyond, as residents capture footage and photos, sharing them widely on social media with their neighbors.

Until now, local police departments have been coordinating with state and federal agencies, with the FBI leading the investigation into the drone activity. Gov. Phil Murphy stated Thursday that the drones pose 'no known threat to the public at this time,' but their origins and the motives behind their operators remain unclear.

In response, a letter signed by 21 elected officials across Morris County is calling for urgent assistance from law enforcement agencies, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Department of Homeland Security, and the New Jersey State Police.

The letter criticizes these agencies for their lack of transparency and for their overall approach in handling the ongoing phenomenon.

"While the benefits of drone technology are widely recognized when used responsibly and transparently, the lack of information and clarity regarding these operations has caused fear and frustration among our constituents. Despite inquiries made to relevant authorities, we have yet to receive satisfactory answers about the purpose, operators, or safety protocols governing these flights," the letter states.

The mayors have called for a thorough investigation to identify the origin and purpose of the drones, along with the implementation of new measures to prevent similar drone activity in the future.

"This situation is untenable, and we respectfully urge your office to take immediate action to provide transparency and address these issues," the letter continues.

Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon said Monday night that the public can email MCSODMU@co.morris.nj.us or call 973-285-6600.

The Federal Aviation Administration has issued two Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) prohibiting drone flights over Picatinny Arsenal Military Base through Dec. 26 and Trump National Golf Club Bedminster through Dec. 6, at the request of federal security agencies.

FBI spokeswoman Amy J. Thoreson told Patch are actively investigating the sightings and noted a focus of their investigation.

The FBI is asking that anyone who spots a drone call them immediately: Report possible drone sightings by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submitting an online tip to the FBI tip line.

The letter was signed by a coalition of local leaders, including Mayor Sam Morris of Mine Hill, Mayor Ace Gallagher of Hanover, Mayor Ryan Herd of Pequannock Township, Mayor Bill Chegwidden of Wharton, Mayor Christine Glassner of Mendham, Mayor Eric Wilsusen of Jefferson Township, Mayor Jamie Barberio of Parsippany, Mayor Matt Murello of Washington Township, Mayor Guy Piserchia of Long Hill Township, Mayor Janet Hoven of Chester Borough, Mayor Joseph Pannullo of East Hanover Township, Mayor Joe Jackson of Rockaway, Councilwoman Melissa Florance-Lynch of Pequannock, Mayor Mike Stanzilis of Mount Arlington, Mayor Joe Nicastro of Mount Olive Township, Mayor Paul Carelli of Riverdale, Mayor Mark Taylor of Florham Park, Mayor Tom Andes of Denville, and Mayor Tim Drag of Chester Township.