PRINCETON, N.J. — In recent weeks, numerous drones have been reported flying at night throughout New Jersey, raising eyebrows, particularly near sensitive locations such as a military research installation. This concern was highlighted by Governor Phil Murphy on Monday.
Murphy commented that, based on current information, the drones don’t appear to threaten public safety. The FBI has been actively looking into these reports of unusual nighttime drone activity, which became more frequent last month in central New Jersey, and has solicited assistance from the public. Since the start of this investigation, drone sightings in other parts of the state have also been reported by residents.
During a bill signing event in Princeton, the governor revealed that there were 49 drone sightings reported on the previous Sunday, predominantly in Hunterdon County. He noted that the figure may include duplicate reports of the same drone. “This is something we’re taking very seriously. I understand why people might be frustrated,” Murphy expressed.
The identity of the drone operators and their intentions remain unknown. However, state and federal officials have reassured the public that there is no discernible threat associated with these sightings.
Drones in New Jersey can be flown for both recreational and commercial purposes, but they must operate under both local laws and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, which include certain flight restrictions. Operators are also required to have FAA certification. Notably, many of the drones observed in New Jersey are larger than typical hobbyist models.
The emergence of these drone activities has provoked questions, particularly due to their proximity to the Picatinny Arsenal, which is a U.S. military research and manufacturing site. Reports have also highlighted sightings over President Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster.
The majority of the drone sightings have been concentrated along the state’s coastal areas, with some notable observations over a significant reservoir in Clinton.
The FBI is encouraging residents to provide any captured videos or photographs of the drones, along with any additional pertinent details.
U.S. Representative Chris Smith, a Republican, shared his concerns after spending Monday evening on Long Beach Island with Ocean County Sheriff Mike Mastronardy to assess the situation. He remarked, “It’s understandable that New Jersey residents are alarmed by this significant and persistent occurrence. The lukewarm responses from both state and federal agencies have been completely unsatisfactory. The citizens of New Jersey deserve immediate and substantial actions from our relevant agencies to investigate, evaluate, and address this situation to help ease the mounting concerns in our communities.”