East Coast residents and lawmakers are again demanding answers afterward another slew of drone sightings in the regionthe origin of the alleged craft is still unclear.
The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security have deployed infrared cameras and drone detection technology to ensure drones flying over the New Jersey and New York area are not harmful, according to state police.
The agency is also analyzing social media and other photos to determine what exactly is in the photos. Most of the photos and videos depict manned aircraft, according to a law enforcement source.
Pilots have also not reported seeing any drones in the sky, according to the source.
Another problem federal authorities are dealing with: over-reporting of drone sightings, according to the source. In the New York-New Jersey area, where they are being watched, there are very few restrictions.
Matthew Murello, the mayor of New Jersey’s Washington Township, told “Good Morning America” on Monday that he believes “something is going on,” expressing concern and frustration. lack of response from federal authorities.
“I’m not trying to start anything, but we all know, if you turn on the TV, drones can be used aggressively,” Murello said. “They can carry payloads. They can be used for all kinds of really aggressive stuff.”
This image from the video shows what appear to be drones flying over Randolph, New Jersey on December 4, 2024.
AP
White House National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby said Thursday that “many” of the drone sightings appear to be lawfully operated manned aircraft, adding that “there is no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or public safety threat, or a foreign connection.” to be one”.
But Murello said those living beneath the drones aren’t resting on their laurels.
“It’s a wonderful thing to tell your neighbors,” he said when asked about Kirby’s assurances. “That’s wonderful, until it isn’t.”
“No one knows what these things are doing,” added Murello. “Best case scenario, they’re getting our video. Again, I don’t know why out here. We’re just farm country. If you want videos of cows, I’ll be happy to send them to you.”
Murello questioned official statements suggesting “no threat perceived”.
“We’ve heard before from our federal government: ‘We’re not looking, we’re not looking at you, we’re not seeing your calls, we’re not doing everything and don’t worry – we’re here and we’re here to help you,'” he said.
Murello was among a group of New Jersey mayors who wrote to Governor Phil Murphy asking for more information. The mayors were later invited to a meeting, but Murello said the governor did not attend.
Instead, state police told mayors they had little information about the drones. Authorities, Murello said, could not explain why some drones were flying without transmitting radio frequencies or using transponders — both of which are required by law when a drone is used at night.
Murello said he had personally seen “a couple” of drones “in my town.” He disputed Kirby’s statement that many of the reported sightings were from misidentified manned aircraft.
“I can’t say how big it was, but I’m sure it sounded like it,” said the mayor. “And I know they’re not. What Adm. Kirby said – it’s a manned aircraft – that’s not correct.”
“I’ve seen several rotorcraft, helicopter-type aircraft fly over the tree line,” Murello said, recalling a police official who said drones can be up to 6 feet in diameter. The fact that most of them are spotted at night “makes it very difficult to get an idea about them,” added Murello.
White House national security communications adviser John Kirby speaks during a press conference at the White House on Dec. 12, 2024, in Washington.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Reports of drone activity forced the temporary closure of runways at New York’s Stewart International Airport on Friday. The potential danger to airplanes is a concern on the East Coast, Murello said.
“If pilots can’t see these things and they’re 6 feet in diameter and they hit a plane, that’s not going to end well,” he said.
Senators are also pushing federal agencies for more information. Last week, Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim of New York wrote to the heads of the FBI, the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Homeland Security to request meetings.
“We are writing with urgent concern about the unmanned aerial system activity that has impacted communities in New York and New Jersey in recent days,” the letter said, and “asking for information as soon as possible on how your agencies are working with federal and local law.” . enforcement to identify and target the origin of these attacks.”
The mystery has caught people’s attention, with photos and videos of alleged apparitions proliferating on social media. An FBI official told reporters Saturday that of the nearly 5,000 tips the agency had received, fewer than 100 had produced credible leads for further investigation.
Murello said that as he continues to search for answers, he sees “only two logical conclusions”.
“It’s that somebody knows something and they’re not willing to tell us,” the mayor said, suggesting national security sensitivities surrounding the Morristown airport and President-elect Donald Trump’s Bedminster golf course.
“If this is an area to watch out for, in case the next president is going to spend a lot of time here, you know what? I’m fine with it. Just say it’s a national security issue.” he said
An “even scarier” explanation is that “we are the largest nation in the world with the most technologically advanced military on planet earth, and we don’t know what the hell these things are,” added Murello. “That’s scary.”
DHS and the FAA have warned against trying to shoot down a suspected drone, citing the risk of falling debris and munitions.
It is illegal to shoot down a drone. Anyone who does so can be fined up to $250,000 and imprisoned for up to 20 years.
Multiple suspected drones are seen in Bernardsville, New Jersey on December 5, 2024.
AP
Murello said he would “definitely” not advise anyone to try to bring down a drone. “You also don’t know if you’re going to hit it, where it’s going to go down and where the rounds of ammunition are going to land,” he said.
“But I will say, in talking to my friends who are current and former state troopers, we have the technology to be able to bring down a drone,” added Murello, suggesting it’s “absolutely silly” for law enforcement not to. They are allowed to shoot down drones unless they are deemed a threat by the federal government.
“We don’t have to drop them all, we have to drop one,” continued Murello. “We take one down, we figure out what’s going on.”
