FBI investigates drone activity in Morris County

On Tuesday, county and local law enforcement agencies announced they are working with the Newark office of the FBI, New Jersey State Police and the Office of Homeland Security to monitor and investigate the drone activity.

Matt Trapani and Amanda Eustice

Dec 3, 2024, 8:29 PM

Updated 11 hr ago

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The FBI is now investigating reports of drones spotted over Morris County following weeks of residents reporting seeing the crafts flying high above their heads.
"It looks like it was the size of a little car. I mean it was crazy, had like four blinking lights,” says Christina Campanello.
Campanello, who works for Randolph Regional Animal Shelter in Mendham Township, says while she only started seeing the drones recently, her workers have seen them frequently - sometimes more than one at a time.
"You can definitely tell it's not an airplane and it's much closer than an airplane. It's really unnerving because no one seems to know,” Campenello says.
But the sighting has many, including law enforcement, wondering who is flying the drones and for what reason.
On Tuesday, county and local law enforcement agencies announced they are working with the Newark office of the FBI, New Jersey State Police and the Office of Homeland Security to monitor and investigate the drone activity.
The Federal Aviation Administration has also imposed drone flight restrictions over Picatinny Arsenal Military Base and Trump National Golf Club Bedminster.
"That makes me feel safer because the fact that nobody was saying anything was scaring me more,” Campenello says. “I’m looking forward to finding out more answers.
Drone operators who conduct unsafe operations that endanger other aircraft or people on the ground could face fines up to $75,000 or can have their drone operators’ pilot certificates suspended or revoked.
Officials ask anyone with information to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submit a tip online.