Lebanon Township, N.J. – Federal Agencies Address Recent Drone Sightings
A group of federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), FBI, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the Defense Department, released a statement on Monday night explaining the recent wave of reported low-flying drone-like objects spotted in the night skies over New Jersey and nearby states. The agencies received tips on over 5,000 reported drone sightings, leading to approximately 100 investigatory leads but concluded that the sightings likely stem from a combination of lawful commercial and hobbyist drones, as well as misidentified stars.
What Did the Agencies Discover?
The exhaustive review led by these agencies concluded that the reported drone activity included “a mix of lawful commercial drones, hobbyist drones, and law enforcement drones, as well as manned aircraft and stars mistakenly reported as drones.” They explicitly stated, “We have not identified anything anomalous,” and reassured the public that the reported activities do not pose a risk to national security or public safety.
The agencies also advocated for Congress to enact new laws concerning unmanned aircraft systems, commonly referred to as UAS. Such legislation would aim to extend and expand existing counter-drone authorities, allowing officials to better identify and mitigate potential threats.
Public Response and Concerns
President-elect Donald Trump remarked on these sightings, stating that the drones aren’t “the enemy,” and suggested that the government may be keeping the public in “suspense” about the actual situation. He also announced the cancellation of a trip to Bedminster, New Jersey, a location noted for reported drone activity and as a place where one of his golf clubs is situated.
Meanwhile, officials’ awareness of these drone sightings has increased significantly, leading to reported delays in operations around various airfields, including a temporary closure of flight operations at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio due to small unmanned aerial systems.
Federal Investigation Underway
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas confirmed on December 15 that the federal government is actively engaged in investigations regarding the drone sightings, affirming that “there’s no question that people are seeing drones.” However, he mentioned that some sightings could potentially involve manned aircraft misidentified as drones. Furthermore, the FBI asserted that fewer than 100 of the tips provided warranted further investigation.
State Leaders React
There has been pushback from various state leaders, including Governor Kathy Hochul of New York, who criticized the situation and is advocating for the state to have the authority to handle drone activity independently. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and Sen. Chuck Schumer have also echoed similar sentiments, calling for Congress to provide more tools to local police regarding drone management.
Several instances of drone sightings have been reported affecting air traffic. On December 13, Stewart Airfield in New York had to close its runways due to drone activity, which was described as excessive and concerning by Governor Hochul.
Ongoing Investigations and Future Steps
Other officials, like New Jersey Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia, expressed their frustration through social media about the lack of clarity regarding the situation, citing it as a coordinated effort that seems to be ongoing. The overlapping jurisdictions of federal and state authorities have led to calls for improved legislation and clearer guidelines for responding to drone threats.
As investigations continue, federal agencies have yet to find proof of any malicious activities connected to these reported sightings. Both state and federal officials insist that the situation is being monitored closely, emphasizing the need for public safety and order.
With the surge in drone popularity and a growing presence in the skies, concerns about their safe usage remain paramount. As the investigation unfolds, both local and national authorities aim to clarify misunderstandings while making necessary legislative adjustments to address emerging drone-related issues.
