What’s the Deal With All These ‘Mystery Drones’ Being Spotted Over New Jersey? – RedState

A mystery is unfolding in the skies over central New Jersey, and even the FBI is stumped about what’s going on.

Reports have emerged of “mysterious nighttime drone flights” appearing in the nighttime skies of central New Jersey, and some residents have taken to social media with videos of strange occurrences.

Another night of drones in New Jersey. We saw a huge fixed wing get plane at a few hundred feet the size of a truck in Readington NJ off Coddington Rd as well as smaller drones over Branchburg. #drones #uap @FBI @News12NJ @PIX11News #newjersey pic.twitter.com/rgTD03YjTw

— Michael Johnson, PhD (@MichaelJoh82712) December 4, 2024

Per one report, the drones — or drone-like aircraft, no one is really sure what they are at this point — have been sighted since as far back as November 18.

Witnesses have spotted a cluster of what appears to be drones — larger than those typically used by hobbyists — as well as a possible fixed-wing aircraft flying in several areas along the Raritan River since Nov. 18. It’s not clear why the flights happened or who was flying the devices, but federal and state officials stress that there currently is no known threat to public safety.

Morris County resident Julie Shavalier witnessed the odd occurrence and told NBC News what she saw:

“We’re all completely unnerved,” Shavalier told NBC News on Tuesday. “I didn’t sleep last night.”

Shavalier said she fears more sleepless nights are ahead.

“When I would get up and look out my window at 2 a.m., 4 a.m., they were still hovering,” she added. “I got up at 5:30 a.m. this morning and they were still there as the sun was starting to rise. They went back in the same direction they came from, and I expect they’ll be back as soon as the sun goes down tonight.”

The scary part is that some of these mystery aircraft have apparently been spotted near the Trump golf course in Bedminster, a place at which the president-elect has often sought refuge. With two recent assassination attempts on Donald Trump’s life, this situation is quickly becoming a national security matter.

There’s also a military research center and manufacturing facility in the area, which, along with the activity near Bedminster, has prompted the feds to get involved.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revealed that it had investigated the matter, but found no evidence of suspicious drone activity in the area. The FAA did, however, report the information they collected to their “federal security partners” and issued temporary flight restrictions over the Trump golf course and the Picatinny Arsenal.

The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) has also joined in the investigation, with one representative saying, “We are working with our state and local partners on the reported drone activity.” 

So far, no one word has been issued on what or who they think are behind the sightings. The FBI is, however, looking for help from the public.

“We’re asking the public to contact us through our 800 line or tips.fbi.gov,” said bureau spokeswoman Amy J. Thoreson. The tips line is 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324). For online reports, click on “submit a tip” and then use the “other FBI crimes” tab.

“As for the threat to public safety, that’s what we are trying to figure out,” she said.

Residents are understandably concerned about what’s happening in the skies over their communities, with reports emerging of medevac helicopters having to reroute to avoid the drone activity. 

Local law enforcement officials are trying to downplay those fears, telling residents, “County and local law enforcement agencies are aware of the recurring reports of drone activity around Morris and Somerset counties, and acknowledge the public’s concern about these repeated sightings.”