Official statements from the Department of Homeland Security or FBI

Over 3,000 Mysterious Drones Over New Jersey Evade Detection; Lawmakers Demand Federal Action

Dec 13, 2024, 03:03 PM

In recent weeks, over 3,000 mysterious drone sightings have been reported over New Jersey, causing concern among residents, lawmakers, and federal agencies. The large drones, described as larger than typical hobby models, have been appearing almost every night since mid-November, often flying over sensitive areas such as military installations, power lines, reservoirs, rail stations, and suburban neighborhoods. The drones appear to avoid detection by traditional methods such as helicopters and radio tracking. The Department of Homeland Security and the FBI have issued a joint statement on the sightings but have yet to identify the source of the drones. Lawmakers from New Jersey and New York, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and New Jersey Senator Andy Kim, are demanding federal briefings on the unexplained sightings. Senator Andy Kim reported seeing multiple drones over the state last night during a patrol with local police. New Jersey State Rep. Brian Bergen called a recent meeting on the issue "bush-league" and "a whole lot of nothing." Reports suggest the drones have also been seen in neighboring states like New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. The inability of authorities to identify the drones is prompting frustration and concerns over national security and the adequacy of current detection and response capabilities.