NJ lawmakers demand action and answers concerning recent drone ...

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FBI investigating dozens of nighttime drone sightings in New Jersey

Drones were reported flying over New Jersey communities at night. FBI and local authorities assure that there is no known threat to public safety.

New Jersey lawmakers are demanding action and answers from Gov. Phil Murphy and other state officials regarding numerous sightings of drones across the state in recent weeks.

Sen. Doug Steinhardt sent a letter to state Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and Senate President Nicholas Scutari on Friday, calling on them to take action by convening a bipartisan panel to address the situation.

Also on Friday, Assemblymen John DiMaio and Erik Peterson sent a letter to Murphy, calling on him to "take immediate action and address growing concerns over unexplained drone activity."

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"For weeks, Hunterdon, Morris and Somerset County residents have reported drones flying over neighborhoods at night, raising serious concerns about safety, privacy and security," wrote DeMaio and Peterson. "Yet, authorities, including yourself, have brushed off these concerns — providing no information on who is operating these drones, the purpose of their surveillance, or their potential risks."

The mysterious drone sightings, which began just before Thanksgiving, have since been reported in multiple North Jersey counties.

On Thursday, Murphy said he convened a briefing with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, senior officials from the Department of Homeland Security, the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness and the New Jersey State Police to discuss the situation. Members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation also participated.

“We are actively monitoring the situation and are in close coordination with our federal and law enforcement partners on this matter,” Murphy said in a statement on X, adding that there is no known threat to the public at this time.

However, elected officials from around the state believe that there is not enough being done about this situation.

"The recurring issue of unidentified drones in areas of critical military and infrastructure security, over private homes, under the cloak of darkness and at all hours of the night have raised concerns among many including residents in the 23rd legislative district," wrote Steinhardt. "The incomplete answers and evasive assurances given by the Governor and others in authority positions have raised more questions than they have answered."

Steinhardt is calling on Scutari and Coughlin to convene a bipartisan panel to solicit statements, ask questions and subpoena documents, ensuring transparency with New Jersey residents and making it clear that state officials "hear their concerns, take them seriously, and demand meaningful, credible answers."

In their letter to Murphy, DiMaio and Peterson highlighted public fears regarding safety, privacy and security, "compounded by the lack of transparency from state authorities." They urged Murphy to explain what he already knows or work to immediately get answers.

They are not alone as over the weekend a group of 19 Morris County mayors and other local elected officials requested assistance from law enforcement agencies, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Department of Homeland Security and the NJ State Police. The letter says those agencies have taken “a reactive instead of proactive approach” to the issue.

Photos, videos of suspected drones circulating social media

Photos, videos and reported sightings of the suspected drones have been circulating social media in recent weeks, leading many to question what exactly New Jersey residents are seeing in the sky. However, psychologists and social scientists are saying that other factors, such as our human tendencies to follow a crowd and social media's ability to amplify fears and narratives, must be taken into account.

In recent days, a video has been shared across social media alleging that “a craft crashed out of the sky.” The video appears to show a field on fire. Other posts are rumoring that the NJ State Police are searching for a crashed drone.

The State Police did not immediately respond to an emailed request for information concerning these rumors.

What to do if you see drones in NJ

The FBI, NJ State Police and the NJ Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness are asking the public to report any information related to the recent sightings of possible drones by calling 1-800-225-5324 or submitting tips and video footage online at https://tips.fbi.gov/home.