Mysterious NJ drone sightings lead to more questions: 'Is the public at risk?'
NEW JERSEY - Numerous sightings of drones have been reported hovering over parts of New Jersey recently, and even after local and federal law enforcement have worked together to find some answers, many questions still need to be answered.
Drones flying over New Jersey
Sightings were reported from down the Jersey Shore up to Sussex and Bergen counties. The Picatinny Arsenal military base has even confirmed at least 11 sightings of unauthorized drones flying over its airspace in recent weeks.
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‘Iranian mothership’ behind mystery NJ drone sightings, congressman suggests
Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-NJ, suggested that the mysterious drones spotted in New Jersey were from and Iranian "mothership" stationed off the East Coast.
"Some reports by witnesses have even suggested that these drones were the size of small cars," Rep. Josh Gottheimer said.
Why are there drones in NJ?
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas briefed the congressional delegation last week, calling on the federal government for more answers.
"It's really frustrating that we don't have more answers as to where they were coming from and why they're doing what they're doing," Murphy said.
The feds can't seem to provide any clarity, at least not yet. On Thursday, federal law enforcement officials and private sector stakeholders testified on threats posed by unmanned aerial systems, or drones, at a joint hearing held by two house subcommittees.
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What's that in the sky? Experts speculate on mysterious drones flying over NJ
What is that in the sky? Mystery drone sightings in Delaware County, Philadelphia and New Jersey have prompted many questions and an expert says due to the shape and size of the object in the sky, it could even be a flying car!
- Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX): What is going on in New Jersey?
- Robert Wheeler (FBI): We're investigating, but I don't have an answer of who's responsible for that of one or more people that are responsible for those drone flights.
- Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX): Is the public at risk? Is public safety at risk?
- Robert Wheeler (FBI): There's nothing that is known that would lead me to say that.
The FBI's field office in Newark said last week that it's asking for the public to report any information related to the apparent drone sightings. The White House wouldn't rule out that the objects could be controlled by foreign entities, or if they're conducting surveillance, but deferred all questions to government agencies.
"The president is aware, so we're closely tracking the activity and coordinating closely with relevant agencies, including DHS and FBI, to continue to investigate these incidents," said White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
The sightings have led to heightened restrictions on drone flights over Trump National Golf Club Bedminster. They also disrupted a medevac helicopter landing over in Somerset County.
Meanwhile, Republican State Sen. Jon Bramnick, who is running for governor, has called for a limited state of emergency until the public is informed about what's going on.
It's unclear if a state or local law temporarily banning the drones would interfere with FAA regulations.