(Scypre.com) – The increasing presence of mysterious drones flying at night over sensitive areas in New Jersey and other parts of the Mid-Atlantic has sparked widespread concern and prompted a call for decisive action. Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut has urged authorities to address the issue urgently, suggesting that these unmanned aircraft be “shot down, if necessary,” particularly if they pose a threat to airports or military installations.
🚨 You won’t believe this! 🚨I Just got a drone video from Montville, New Jersey (NJ) doing what looks like target practice 👀. This is next-level stuff—someone is definitely testing shooting capabilities from the air. You have to see this!
— NJ Freedom Fighter (@thecoooch) December 13, 2024
🎥 Watch the video and tell me what… pic.twitter.com/Z4HCtaJeVS
Blumenthal emphasized the need for immediate intelligence efforts to identify and neutralize the drones, pointing out potential risks to commercial airspace. He also called for greater transparency from the Biden administration on the matter. “We should be doing some very urgent intelligence analysis and take them out of the skies,” Blumenthal stated, expressing alarm over the possible dangers posed by these unidentified aerial vehicles.
The White House responded on Thursday, noting that many of the sightings are being misidentified as drones when they are, in fact, manned aircraft operating lawfully. John Kirby, the National Security Council spokesman, clarified that no sightings have been reported in restricted airspace and that investigations by the U.S. Coast Guard have found no evidence of foreign involvement. “We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or a public safety threat, or have a foreign nexus,” Kirby stated, a sentiment echoed by the Pentagon and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh confirmed that the drones are not operated by the U.S. military.
A joint statement from the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security revealed that federal agencies, in collaboration with New Jersey State Police, are deploying personnel and technology to determine whether the sightings involve actual drones, manned aircraft, or erroneous reports. Despite extensive reviews, no sightings have been corroborated through electronic detection, and available images often depict manned aircraft rather than drones. “There are no reported or confirmed drone sightings in any restricted airspace,” the agencies confirmed.
The situation is particularly concerning due to reports that some of the drones appear to evade traditional detection methods like helicopters and radio equipment. According to Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia, who was briefed by Homeland Security officials, the drones can be as large as six feet in diameter and sometimes operate with their lights switched off. The initial sightings near critical areas, such as the Picatinny Arsenal—a U.S. military research and manufacturing facility—and President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster, have added to the unease.
New Jersey allows recreational and commercial drone use under Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, requiring operators to be FAA-certified. However, most of the reported drones appear larger than those typically used by hobbyists, raising further questions about their origin and purpose.
Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey voiced frustration over the lack of information, warning that the void could lead to public anxiety and misinformation. “We should know what’s going on over our skies,” Booker said, urging authorities to address public concerns.
John Duesler, president of the Pennsylvania Drone Association, suggested that witnesses might be misinterpreting what they see, particularly in low-light conditions. He noted that large drones, such as those used in agriculture, are generally not seen in urban or suburban settings. “There are certainly big drones, but they typically aren’t the type you see flying around in populated areas,” Duesler explained.
He also expressed confidence that the drones and their operators would eventually be identified. “They will leave a radio frequency footprint; they all leave a signature,” Duesler stated. “We will find out what kind of drones they were, who was flying them, and where they were flying them.”
Assemblywoman Fantasia and other lawmakers have been in discussions with state police and Homeland Security officials to address the sightings, which span areas from New York City across New Jersey and into parts of Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia. While it remains unclear whether the sightings are connected, Duesler urged caution against alarmist interpretations. “This could just be the acts of rogue drone operators,” he said. “It’s not an ‘invasion’ as some reports have called it.”
Duesler also called on government agencies to provide more information to reassure the public. “I hope they will come out with more information about this to ease our fears,” he said. “I’m concerned but not alarmed by it.”
As investigations continue, officials and lawmakers are striving to balance vigilance with a measured approach, ensuring public safety while avoiding unnecessary panic.