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Mayors left frustrated following meeting regarding New Jersey drone sightings

State police and Homeland Security officials told lawmakers and mayors they don't believe the U.S. military, federal government or large tech organizations are behind the drones.

Amanda Eustice

Dec 11, 2024, 5:29 PM

Updated

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State lawmakers and local government officials met behind closed doors at state police headquarters in Ewing on Wednesday for a briefing about the mysterious drones that have been spotted in New Jersey skies over the past few weeks.

Many leaders said they left that meeting feeling frustrated.

"Now I'm legitimately concerned for what the hell is going on because nobody knows," said state Assemblyman Brian Bergen, of District 26.

"We are literally being invaded by drones, we have no idea who is doing and where they're coming from," said Pequannock Mayor Ryan Herb.

State police and Homeland Security officials told lawmakers and mayors they don't believe the U.S. military, federal government or large tech organizations are behind them. Which begs the question who is?

"The commander of the state police here admitted that he had a helicopter of his flying above one of these drones and saw it and he pulled them away because he thought it was unsafe for them," said Bergen.

Those in the meeting tell News 12 that the drones aren't using common radio frequencies, which makes it difficult to detect or track them.

MORE: Congressman alleges New Jersey drones are from Iran, Pentagon disputes claims

"We're going to have pretty sophisticated radar and camera equipment that's cutting edge that's going to come into the state in the next week or so," said state Sen. Declan O'Scalon, of District 13.

Officials say the biggest disappointment of the meeting was the fact that the FBI, who is investigating the drones, was not here to brief them, leaving many of them having to go back to their constituents and tell them that they still don't have any answers.

"I'm nervous for my residents because, for some folks, this is making them very uneasy," said Mine Hill Township Mayor Sam Morris.

There is a push to have the Federal Aviation Administration ban drones from flying at night.

Law enforcement officials continue to stress as of now there is no known threat to the public.

Meanwhile, Republican Rep. Jeff Van Drew alleged that the drones are coming from an Iranian ship off the coast of the United States. Pentagon officials have denied these claims.

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