TOMS RIVER, N.J. — Governor Phil Murphy has reached out to the Biden administration with a request for increased federal resources to delve further into the recent reports of mysterious drone sightings in New Jersey and surrounding areas.
In a letter sent out on Thursday, Murphy, who is a member of the Democratic Party, highlighted that state and local law enforcement are feeling constrained by current laws and regulations as they strive to address potential threats posed by these unmanned aerial vehicles. He shared the contents of the letter on the social media platform X, emphasizing the urgency of the matter.
Murphy pointed out, “This places the responsibility for action regarding the drones squarely on the federal government’s shoulders.” He reiterated the need for additional federal resources to gain insight into what could be motivating these activities.
Both Murphy and other officials have consistently maintained that there is no evidence suggesting that these drones represent a risk to national security or public safety, nor do they appear to have any connections to foreign entities. The Pentagon has confirmed that these sightings do not involve military drones of the United States.
Public interest and concern continue to rise regarding these drones following initial reports from residents last month. Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia indicated that anywhere from four to 180 drones have been reported since November 18, typically observed flying from dusk until as late as 11 p.m.
These aerial vehicles have been sighted in proximity to Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military research and production site, as well as above former President Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster. Since the initial sightings, the frequency of reports has surged, with drones also being spotted in neighboring states such as Pennsylvania, New York, and Connecticut, along with other locations in the Mid-Atlantic region.
The investigation, which involves the FBI, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and other state and federal agencies, has yet to validate any of the drone sightings with electronic tracking systems. Preliminary evaluations of the captured images suggest that many of the reported drones could actually be manned planes. Officials noted that no confirmed sightings have occurred within restricted airspace, and it is plausible that a single drone has been spotted multiple times and reported as different instances.
Amid growing frustration, some federal lawmakers have urged the military to consider taking down these drones. A state legislator, who received a briefing from the Department of Homeland Security, stated that the drones seem to evade detection by typical methods such as helicopters and radio. In one notable incident, a medevac helicopter faced difficulty retrieving a seriously injured individual in Branchburg Township due to drones lingering in the designated landing area; however, the FAA stated that they have not received an official report regarding this particular case.
While drones are permitted for recreational and commercial purposes in New Jersey, they must comply with both local laws and FAA regulations. Operators of drones are required to have FAA certification. Witnesses described the drones they believe to have encountered in New Jersey as larger than those commonly employed by hobbyists.