The mysterious large drones reported flying over parts of New Jersey in recent weeks appear to be undetectable by traditional methods such as helicopters and radios, according to a state representative told Wednesday by the Department of Homeland Security.
In a post on social media platform X, Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia described drones that are up to 6 feet in diameter and sometimes move with their lights off. The Morris County Republican was among several state and local lawmakers who met with state police and Homeland Security officials to discuss the issue of sightings from the New York City area through New Jersey and west into Pennsylvania, including over Philadelphia.
The devices do not appear to be being driven by enthusiasts, Fantasia wrote.
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Many of the mysterious night flights began last month and have raised growing concerns among residents and officials. Part of the concern comes from flying objects that were first seen near the Picatinny Arsenal, a US military research and development facility; and on President-Elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster. Drones are legal in New Jersey for recreational and commercial use, but are subject to local and Federal Aviation Administration regulations and flight restrictions. Operators must have FAA certification.
Most, but not all, of the drones seen in New Jersey were larger than those typically used by hobbyists.
The number of sightings has increased in recent days, although officials say most of the sightings are likely to be aircraft rather than drones. It is also possible that a particular drone has been mentioned more than once.
Gov. Phil Murphy and law enforcement officials stressed that drones do not pose a threat to public safety. The FBI has been investigating and asked citizens to share any videos, photos or other information they may have.
Representatives of two members of the Republican Jersey Shore-area, Mr. Chris Smith and Jeff Van Drew, have called on the military to shoot down the drones.
Smith said a Coast Guard official alerted him to an incident over the weekend in which 12 drones followed a Coast Guard motorboat “following” near Barnegat Light and Island Beach State Park in Ocean County.
Coast Guard Lt. Luke Pinneo told The Associated Press on Wednesday “that several low-flying aircraft were seen near one of our ships near Island Beach State Park.”
The plane was not considered an immediate threat and did not affect operations, Pinneo said. The Coast Guard is assisting the FBI and federal agencies in the investigation.
In a letter to US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Smith called for military assistance to deal with drones, noting that Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst is able to “detect and shoot down unauthorized drones.”
However, Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh told reporters on Wednesday that “our initial assessment here is that these are not drones or activities from another country or enemy.”
Many local lawmakers have called for restrictions on who has the right to fly drones. At least one state representative has proposed a temporary ban on drone flights in the state.
“This is something we are taking very seriously. I don’t blame people for being upset,” said Murphy earlier this week. A spokesman for the Democratic governor said he did not attend Wednesday’s meeting.
Republican Assemblyman Erik Peterson, whose district includes parts of the state where drones have been reported, said he also attended Wednesday’s meeting at the state police station in West Trenton. The study lasted about 90 minutes.
Peterson said DHS officials were generous with their time, but seemed uninterested in some concerns, saying not all confirmed sightings involved drones.
So who or what is behind the flying objects? Where are they from? What are they doing? “My understanding is that they don’t know anything,” Peterson said.
A message seeking comment was left for the Department of Homeland Security.
Many of the drones have been spotted in coastal areas and some have recently been reported flying over a large lake in Clinton. Sightings have also been reported in neighboring states.
James Edwards, of Succasunna, New Jersey, said he has seen a few drones flying over his neighborhood since last month.
“It raises a lot of concerns because there are so many unknowns,” Edwards said Wednesday. “There are many people who are shouting about various projects that they think are happening here, but they are just adding fuel to the fire. We have to wait and see what is really going on here, not let the fear of ignorance get the better of us.”
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AP reporters Mike Catalini in Morrisville, Pennsylvania; and Wayne Parry in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, contributed this report.