Officials demand answers amid South Jersey drone sightings

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Multiple unidentified drones fly over New Jersey

Video shows mysterious drones over different New Jersey counties, concerning residents. The FBI is asking the public for their help.

(This story has been updated to add new information).

As mysterious drones continue their flight over New Jersey, state and federal officials have called for both vigilance and transparency.

U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) penned a letter to employees of the U.S. Department of Transportation, FBI and U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday calling for more information as investigations unfold. It remains unclear who is flying the drones and whether the sightings throughout the state are connected.

"I recognize the need to maintain operational security of ongoing investigations and that this situation requires complex interagency coordination," Booker said.

More: Mystery drones over South Jersey? Evesham police seek tips amid 'recent surge' in activity

"However, there is a growing sense of uncertainty and urgency across the state — from constituents and local officials alike — despite assurances that the drones pose no known threats to public safety."

Booker also called on the DHS, FBI and Federal Aviation Administration, aka FAA, to provide a briefing for state municipal and county officials, including information on the federal response to date.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has repeatedly maintained that the drones do not pose a threat to public safety.

Buth others have expressed concern about sightings near and around state military assets, such as the Picatinny Arsenal in Morris County and Naval Weapons Station Earle in Monmouth County.

On Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) addressed the drone issue, calling for them to be shot down in a press release.

"What we have uncovered so far is deeply troubling," Van Drew said, adding that circumstantial evidence points to Iran as a potential culprit.

"Whether this is a foreign adversary or even just a group of drone hobbyists, we cannot allow unidentified drones to operate freely in our airspace with no consequences."

Lawmakers respond to drones over New Jersey

Booker wasn't the first to demand action.

On Dec. 6, state Sen. Douglas Steinhardt (R-Warren), along with two assemblymen, called on the speaker of the General Assembly and the president of the Senate to "immediately convene a bipartisan panel to solicit statements, ask questions and subpoena documents" regarding the drones.

U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) has also been a voice in calling for action regarding drone sightings.

"We can never play it too safe when fighting to protect Jersey families, especially from new technologies that have great potential but also can pose certain risks," Gottheimer wrote on the social media platform X.

Gottheimer has written to the DHS, FBI and FAA, introduced legislation to expand federal grants for radar systems for local law enforcement and helped to spearhead the 2023 bipartisan Drone Act.

New Jersey drone sightings

According to northjersey.com, the drone sightings were first reported in Morris County the week before Thanksgiving.

Since then, the aircrafts were reportedly seen in multiple counties and parts of the state. The FBI has joined state efforts to identify the operators of the drones.

"We are working with our state and local partners on the reported drone activity," Amy Thoreson, a public affairs specialist with the FBI's office in Newark, said to northjersey.com last month.

Kaitlyn McCormick writes about trending issues and community news across South Jersey for the Courier-Post, The Daily Journal and the Burlington County Times. If you have a story she should tell, email her at kmccormick@gannett.com. And subscribe to stay up to date on the news you need.