Mysterious drone sightings have been reported in New York and Philadelphia over the past month as the FBI continues to investigate similar sightings across New Jersey.
Local residents have reported seeing swarms of drones in several New Jersey counties since mid-November, and new sightings have occurred in parts of Pennsylvania and New York’s Staten Island in recent days. It has been reported.
Local residents in the area have captured footage that appears to show a drone flying through the sky and shared it online.
Last week, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Newark office announced it was actively investigating these sightings and seeking information from the public.
“Witnesses observed a group of what appeared to be drones and fixed-wing aircraft,” the FBI said in a statement. “We have received reports from the public and law enforcement going back several weeks.”
While authorities investigated the report, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented temporary flight restrictions in the area over Picatinny Arsenal Military Base and Trump National Golf Club Bedminster.
The origins of drones remain unclear. But state leaders and elected officials said they were monitoring sightings and assured residents the drones posed no immediate threat to the public.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said in a social media post last week that he had met with officials from the Department of Homeland Security, local governments and the state of New Jersey to discuss reported drone activity. Ta.
“We are actively monitoring the situation and working closely with our federal and law enforcement partners on this matter,” the governor said. He added: “There is no known threat to the public at this time.”
Last week, an FBI spokesperson told local New Jersey news outlet NJ.com, “Unfortunately, we don’t have a lot of answers. We don’t want to speculate or hypothesize what’s going on.” he said.
“We are doing everything we can to figure it out,” they added.
On Monday, a group of 20 mayors from Morris County, New Jersey, reportedly sent a letter to the state’s governor calling for a full investigation into the origin and purpose of the drone, according to CBS News, which obtained a copy of the letter. There is.
They also called for improved communication with residents and law enforcement, among other things.
In their letter, the mayors said they were “deeply concerned by the continued nighttime drone flights” and that the drones “have caused significant alarm to more than 500,000 county residents and local officials alike.” “There is,” he said.
Following reports of drones over Staten Island, Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis asks the FAA to temporarily restrict drone flights in the area and requests immediate clarification from the Department of Homeland Security and FBI. He said he did.
Two weeks ago, a drone flew over New Jersey, blocking a medical helicopter from transporting injured people after a car crash, USA Today reported.
Joseph Orlando, chief of police in Florham Park, New Jersey, said in a social media statement last week that there have been multiple sightings of drones over “critical infrastructure such as reservoirs, power lines, train stations, police stations, military installations, etc.” He said it has been reported. .
“Members of local law enforcement have been pressuring our partners for answers regarding this activity due to concerns about their presence around our critical infrastructure,” the statement reads. It is written. “While there is currently no evidence or information indicating that these drones pose an immediate threat, their presence appears to be sinister in nature.”
In a statement, authorities urged all residents to remain vigilant and report any sightings of drones directly to the FBI.