Numerous drone sightings in New Jersey don’t pose safety concern, governor says

[MsKreed 1,647]

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Dozens of drones have been spotted at night across New Jersey in recent weeks, including near sensitive sites such as a military research facility, Gov. Phil Murphy said Monday.

Murphy said the drones don’t appear to pose a public safety concern.

The FBI has been investigating reports about the mysterious nighttime drone flights that started occurring last month across central New Jersey and has asked the public for help. Since then, residents have reported seeing drones in other areas.

 

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It’s unclear who is piloting the drones and why, but federal and state officials have repeatedly stressed that there is no known threat to public safety.

Drones are legal in New Jersey for recreational and commercial use, but they are subject to local and Federal Aviation Administration regulations and flight restrictions. Drone operators also must be FAA certified. Most, but not all, of the drones spotted in New Jersey were larger than those typically used by hobbyists.

The flights initially raised questions in part because they took place near the Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military research and manufacturing facility, and over President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster.

Most of the drones have been spotted along coastal areas, and some of the devices were recently spotted over a large reservoir in Clinton.

Source

[MsKreed 1,647]

It's unsettling that these things have been sighted nightly all over NJ for three weeks before it became widespread national news.

And mind boggling that officials keep parroting the same "no known threat" line. 

FFS.....we have dozens of objects the size of sedans hovering over homes populated spaces.....ready to drop like Dorothy Gale's house if the wifi signal cuts out. 

It may a threat of unknown origin. But it's most certainly a public safety threat. 

Not to mention the national security risks that they're flying over military facilities and vital infrastructure. 

[Ann 481]

10 hours ago, MsKreed said:

 

It may a threat of unknown origin. But it's most certainly a public safety threat. 

Not to mention the national security risks that they're flying over military facilities and vital infrastructure. 

The Chinese balloon was apparently not a big problem for the Federal Government.  It’s been estimated that 25+ thousand military age Chinese men have illegally crossed the southern border into California so I’d be worried.

[Chris 3,492]

There's a lot of chatter on X about them. This is one example.

[MsKreed 1,647]

Yes, lots of discussion this week from the public, but still zero information that authorities have a clue of what they are.

 

Or any plans other than observe them (or wait until some damage/injury occurs).

 How do we have the technology to track the movement of a single individual through NYC within a day, but not these things that stand out like a sore thumb in otherwise empty skies for several weeks???

 

[MsKreed 1,647]

Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh held a briefing today (Here).  

She was asked about Congressman Jeff Van Drew’s suggestion that the drones should be shot down. She said it's “local law enforcement” to knock them out.

Are the feds seriously encouraging local sheriffs to just take care of this with a trap shooting event? 

 

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Reporter: HE SAID THE DRONES IN NEW JERSEY SHOULD BE SHOT DOWN. IS THERE ANY REASON NOT TO BRING DOWN THESE DRONES TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THEY ARE?

 

Singh: THAT'S A DECISION FOR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT. IF IT'S -- IF A DRONE OR ANY ACTIVITY IS A THREAT TO MILITARY INSTALLATIONS, THEY ALWAYS HAVE THE RIGHT FOR SELF-DEFENSE. AND THEY CAN ENGAGE TO RESPOND TO ANY POTENTIAL RISKS. BUT WITH SOME OF THE DRONE ACTIVITY OR ACTIVITIES THAT YOU'RE REFERRING TO, THERE WAS NOT A THREAT TO ANY MILITARY INSTALLATIONS. SO THEY DIDN'T FEEL THE NEED TO ENGAGE.

 

 

[Chris 3,492]

Large drones flying over water supply, railroads and other American infrastructure?

”We’ll look into it.”

Oh good, thanks.

[Ann 481]

I can’t help but wonder if this inaction is deliberate.  With millions of illegals from all over the world crossing into this Country the last 3+ years and now this it makes you wonder how much of a priority American safety is to this Administration.

[MsKreed 1,647]

The longer this "nuthin' to see here" story goes on, the more I suspect (assume) that there’s likely some misguided attitude of complacency, tolerance, appeasement, etc at play. Similar to what we saw with the Chinese balloon last year.

They (federal intelligence, defense, etc) must recognize the surveillance and security risks. But unless (until?) some actual physical damage/threat occurs, they’re simply too feckless to act. Unwilling to piss off whatever malevolent adversary is responsible.

Because Gawed Ferbid we might upset Chinese or Iranian despots by taking action to defend our sovereignty.  

[Chris 3,492]

It's a well known fact that our nation's grid is vulnerable. Knock out a couple of power stations at key locations and the rest will tumble. Particularly in the trial-state area, where there is a huge demand. 

[Twin Tiers Living 541]

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The large mysterious drones reported flying over parts of New Jersey in recent weeks appear to avoid detection by traditional methods such as helicopter and radio, according to a state lawmaker briefed Wednesday by the Department of Homeland Security.

In a post on the social media platform X, Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia described the drones as up to 6 feet in diameter and sometimes traveling with their lights switched off. The Morris County Republican was among several state and local lawmakers who met with state police and Homeland Security officials to discuss the spate of sightings that range from the New York City area through New Jersey and westward into parts of Pennsylvania, including over Philadelphia. 

The devices do not appear to be being flown by hobbyists, Fantasia wrote.

 

Source

[Andy 114]

I’ve also seen people theorizing the inaction towards them is because they are government drones being tested, and they’re choosing to act as if they don’t know what they are. Maybe testing in areas with a lot of radio and GPS signals? Instead of saying “yeah these are FBI drones” or whatever they’re pretending they’re nothing. Which is still pretty dumb, but better than some other country poking us with drones

[MsKreed 1,647]

13 minutes ago, Chris said:

It's a well known fact that our nation's grid is vulnerable. Knock out a couple of power stations at key locations and the rest will tumble. Particularly in the trial-state area, where there is a huge demand. 

This is exactly why proactive, preemptive measures should have been taken weeks ago.  

Unfortunately, some officials in the current administration seem to have some spineless notion that "proactive/preemptive" will be perceived as aggression. 

14 minutes ago, Twin Tiers Living said:

The devices do not appear to be being flown by hobbyists, Fantasia wrote.

And if any Joe Citizen "hobbyist" were stupid enough to FAFO, it's a safe bet that they would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law......

[MsKreed 1,647]

33 minutes ago, Andy said:

I’ve also seen people theorizing the inaction towards them is because they are government drones being tested, and they’re choosing to act as if they don’t know what they are. Maybe testing in areas with a lot of radio and GPS signals? Instead of saying “yeah these are FBI drones” or whatever they’re pretending they’re nothing. Which is still pretty dumb, but better than some other country poking us with drones

I've seen this theory.  I guess it's plausible, but seemed improbable to me.  Mostly because the US government typically does a good job of keeping its "secret" programs secret. LOL

Adding in fact that the DoD publicly stating that local authorities are free to shoot them down, makes the theory even less likely. 

[Hal 592]

3 hours ago, Ann said:

I can’t help but wonder if this inaction is deliberate.  With millions of illegals from all over the world crossing into this Country the last 3+ years and now this it makes you wonder how much of a priority American safety is to this Administration.

I like your other theory better ! The one that opines the Biden Harris regime is trying their best to leave a steaming pile of shit behind to be blamed on Trump later ! 
Seriously … this Country is literally Leaderless right now so it isn’t a stretch to believe some of our American hating neighbors wouldn’t take advantage of that fact . 

[Twin Tiers Living 541]

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Drone sightings have now been reported in New York, where a permit is required, and Mayor Eric Adams said the city was investigating and collaborating with New Jersey and federal officials.

The runways at Stewart International Airport — about 60 miles (100 kilometers) north of the city — were shut down for about one hour Friday night because of drone activity in the airspace, Gov. Kathy Hochul said.

“This has gone too far,” she said in a statement.

 

Source

[MsKreed 1,647]

7 minutes ago, Twin Tiers Living said:

Drone sightings have now been reported in New York, where a permit is required,

For all drones over 0.55 pounds (250 grams) registration is mandatory anywhere in the US. It's "recreational if it's greater than 0.55 pounds (250 grams) and less than 55 pounds, and needs a "Traditional Aircraft Registration" if it's over 55 pounds. (Per the FAA)

And those registrations include the requirement that they have Remote ID. 

 

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Remote identification (Remote ID) is here. Are you ready? 

Drones are fundamentally changing aviation, and the FAA is committed to working towards fully integrating drones into the National Airspace System (NAS). All drone pilots who are required to register or have registered their drone must operate in accordance with the rule on Remote ID. Safety and security are top priorities for the FAA and Remote ID for drones is crucial to our integration efforts.

What is it? Remote ID is the ability of a drone in flight to provide identification and location information that can be received by other parties through a broadcast signal. Watch the video.

Why do we need it? Remote ID lays the foundation of the safety and security groundwork needed for more complex drone operations. Remote ID also helps the FAA, law enforcement, and other federal agencies locate the control station when a drone appears to be flying in an unsafe manner or where it is not allowed to fly. 

Which Drones Must Comply With Remote ID?
Drones which are required to be registered or are registered, including those flown for recreation, business, or public safety, must comply with the rule on Remote ID.

Source

So....it seems like the only way that the FAA/government can't identify them is if they are clearly in violation of one or more regulatory laws. 

33 minutes ago, Twin Tiers Living said:

“This has gone too far,” she [Hochul] said in a statement.

This has to be the first time that woman has ever uttered a statement I agree with.

[Chris 3,492]

There's a lot of wild theories out there, especially on Twitter. From "it's aliens" to it's our own Space Force on the look out for nuclear or other attack from Russia or Iran.

[MsKreed 1,647]

16 minutes ago, Chris said:

There's a lot of wild theories out there, especially on Twitter. From "it's aliens" to it's our own Space Force on the look out for nuclear or other attack from Russia or Iran.

Well, as Aristotle said, "Nature abhors a vacuum".

If there are no concrete answers, then theories will fill the void as fast as air sucking into a vacuum chamber.

So far the reassurances from the every federal agency are anything but reassuring.  

[Chris 3,492]

I just saw this from the governor's office:

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"Since mid-November, New York has been carefully monitoring reports of drone activity and we have been communicating closely with our federal partners. I've spoken with Secretary Mayorkas multiple times and was just informed that he has coordinated with federal partners and the FAA plans to grant temporary flight restrictions over some of New York's critical infrastructure sites — this action is purely precautionary; there are no threat to these sites. This is in addition to the state-of-the-art drone detection system delivered to us by the Biden-Harris Administration earlier this week. While we have not detected any public safety or national security threats, we will continue aggressively monitoring the situation as we call on Congress to pass legislation to give states and local law enforcement the authority and resources they need to manage this evolving technology. Public safety is my top priority and I will stop at nothing to keep my constituents safe."

I'm also seeing that Biden and Harris both have made unplanned returns to the White House. Not sure if it has anything to do with this or what but...

[Hal 592]

Well hell , don’t we all feel better now ! Reassurance from Hochul and Myorkis … I’m feeling all warm and fuzzy about these drones already ! 

[Adam 571]

the "average" drones would not/ should not be too concerning....you can get or build them withh little to no trouble. its the reports of drones the size of refrigerators/small cars that is more curious, as i  assume those are not something one can get off the shelf or easliy build/fly?