Mystery drone sightings prompt hysteria in New Jersey

Mass hysteria has not gripped New Jersey like this since 1938, when Orson Welles’ Halloween radio drama “The War of the Worlds” was interpreted by some members of the listening audience as an actual news report about an alien invasion that was taking place in Grovers Mill, a neighborhood in West Windsor, New Jersey.

Since mid-November, residents in New Jersey have been reporting an increasing number of sightings of small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), or drones, especially in northern counties such as Morris and Somerset.

Many reports describe large drones flying overhead at night, some claiming that there are incursions near military installations and critical infrastructure like reservoirs and energy facilities, triggering what seems to be a hysterical reaction.

Today, drones — another kind of unidentified flying object — have provoked another UFO scare even though these devices are legal for recreational and commercial use, as long as operators follow regulations and hold FAA certification.

The activity has raised alarms among residents and public officials, yet the identity of whoever is operating these drones remains a mystery.

The FBI’s Newark Field Office and the New Jersey State Police have been investigating the reports for about a month, although the government has so far been unable to provide clear answers.

Federal investigators said they don’t believe the drones pose a public threat.

“I’m hoping we’ll get answers sooner than later,” said Governor Phil Murphy who also said there is no known threat from the drones.

The Federal Aviation Administration imposed drone flight restrictions near the Picatinny Arsenal, a military research and manufacturing facility, and over President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster while authorities investigate.

Republican Congressman Jeff Van Drew claimed the drones “very possibly could be” from Iran, an outlandish claim that earned the turncoat Trump supporter an appearance on Fox News Wednesday morning.

“I’m going to tell you the real deal. Iran launched a mothership that contains these drones,” Van Drew said. “It’s off the East Coast of the United States of America. They’ve launched drones.”

The drones, or unmanned aerial systems (UAS), have sparked confusion and concern, with New Jersey residents sharing videos of what appear to be large flying objects, some reported to be up to 6 feet in size.

While the White House and the Pentagon have stated there is no evidence of a threat to public safety or national security, they have not been able to corroborate many of the reported sightings.

National security spokesperson John Kirby downplayed some of the concerns, suggesting that many of the sightings may be misidentifications of lawfully operated manned aircraft.

“We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or a public safety threat, or have a foreign nexus,” Kirby said.

Despite these reassurances, Murphy expressed his “growing concern” over the situation in a letter to President Joe Biden on Thursday.

Murphy requested resources to help understand what many residents are seeing, although the rash of UFOs might be nothing more than regular airplane flights viewed by inexperienced and untrained observers.

“The continued reports of UAS activity have raised more questions than answers and prompted an outcropping of conspiracy theories across social media and other platforms,” the Governor wrote.

The drone hysteria has also prompted increased political theatrics pressure.

Murphy, in his letter to Biden, underscored the urgency of the situation and asked for additional resources for a federal investigation. He also wrote to congressional leaders about the imminent expiration of the Department of Homeland Security and FBI’s counter-UAS authority, urging them to pass legislation empowering state and local law enforcement to use advanced detection and mitigation technologies to deal with the issue.

Senator Andy Kim, who was recently sworn into office, joined local law enforcement in Hunterdon County on Thursday, where he witnessed dozens of drones over a two-hour period. Kim emphasized the need for concrete answers.

“People deserve answers,” Kim said, criticizing the lack of transparency from federal authorities. “We don’t need conspiracy theories or conjecture, we need assurances that the people charged with keeping us safe are on top of this issue.”

Kim, along with other elected officials from New Jersey and New York, recently sent a letter to federal officials urging action. The letter expressed “urgent concern” over the UAS activity, particularly near critical infrastructure, including military installations and reservoirs.

While most reports have come from New Jersey, drone sightings have been reported in nearby states as well.

In Maryland, former Governor Larry Hogan shared a video of what appeared to be dozens of drones above his residence in Davidsonville, criticizing the federal government’s “negligent response.”

In New York City, Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella has called for an investigation into reports of drones flying over the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge.

New York State Police have also launched an investigation into numerous reports of drone sightings in the state, although they have yet to identify any threats to public safety.

In response to the reported drone activity, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has imposed temporary flight restrictions over certain areas of New Jersey, including the Picatinny Arsenal military base in Morris County and the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster.

The FAA has stated that safely integrating drones into the national airspace system is a key priority, and the agency is investigating all reports of unauthorized drone operations.

Despite these measures, federal authorities have yet to provide a comprehensive explanation for the mysterious drone activity. The lack of concrete answers has fueled frustration among residents and elected officials, with some accusing the federal government of failing to take the situation seriously.

Drone activity near sensitive locations is not unusual, but the recent surge in sightings has raised concerns about potential risks to public safety and national security. While drones are generally regulated by the FAA, including restrictions on flying near airports, military installations, and critical infrastructure, local and state officials lack the authority to independently enforce these regulations.

This lack of jurisdiction has left local governments reliant on federal agencies like the FAA, Department of Homeland Security, and FBI to address the issue. In the case of airports and military installations, the FAA can issue no-fly orders to prevent drones from entering sensitive airspace. However, the absence of clear regulations or enforcement powers at the state and local levels has contributed to the sense of uncertainty surrounding the drone sightings.

As the investigation into the mysterious drone activity continues, New Jersey residents and local officials are left with mounting questions and little clarity. The federal government, while assuring the public that there is no immediate security threat, has so far been unable to definitively identify the drones or their purpose.

With increasing reports of drone sightings and growing frustration among elected officials, calls for a more thorough investigation are expected to intensify in the coming days. Until then, residents will likely remain on edge, waiting for concrete answers about the objects flying overhead.

Of course, these high-tension worries are baseless and unfounded.