New Jersey governor wants more federal resources to investigate drone sightings

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Governor Phil Murphy has asked the Biden administration to devote more resources to an investigation into mysterious drone sightings which have been reported in New Jersey and neighboring states.

Murphy, a Democrat, made the request in a letter Thursday, noting that state and local law enforcement remains “hamstrung” by existing laws and policies in their efforts to successfully counter any nefarious activity by unmanned aircraft. He posted a copy of the letter on the social media platform.

“That leaves the responsibility for action regarding (drones) squarely on the shoulders of the federal government,” Murphy said. “More federal resources are needed to understand what is behind this activity.”

Murphy and other officials have repeatedly stressed that there is no evidence that the plane posed a threat to national security or public safety, or that it had a foreign connection. The Pentagon also said these were not US military drones.

Drones have sparked intense public concern and curiosity since residents reported seeing them for the first time last month. MP Dawn Fantasia said four to 180 planes had been reported to authorities since November 18, appearing from dusk to 11 p.m.

Flying objects have been spotted near the Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military research and manufacturing facility, and above President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster, but the number of reported sightings has increased significantly since then. Drones have also been spotted in Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut and other parts of the Mid-Atlantic region.

The FBI, Federal Aviation Administration, and other state and federal agencies involved in the investigation have not corroborated any of the reported electronic detection sightings, and review of available footage appears to show that many of the reported drones are in reality of piloted aircraft. They also say there have been no confirmed sightings in restricted airspace. It is also possible that a single drone was seen and reported more than once, officials said.

Some federal lawmakers have called on the military to “shoot down” drones. Drones also appear to avoid detection by traditional methods such as helicopter and radio, according to a state lawmaker briefed by the Department of Homeland Security.

In one case, a medevac helicopter was unable to pick up a seriously injured car crash victim in Somerset County’s Branchburg Township late last month due to drones flying overhead near the planned landing zone. according to NJ.com. The FAA said Thursday it did not have a report on the incident.

Drones are legal in New Jersey for recreational and commercial use, but are subject to local and FAA regulations and flight restrictions. Operators must be FAA certified.

Witnesses say the drones they believe they saw in New Jersey appear to be larger than those typically used by hobbyists.