This morning, Mayors from around the State of New Jersey met with the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, and the New Jersey State Police to discuss the investigation into the unknown drone activity over New Jersey, and specifically Morris County.
Are there any updates on the investigation into the drone sightings in New Jersey?
o There is an active federal investigation into these drone sightings.
o The FBI is the leading agency investigating the sightings.
o Currently, all investigative information is classified as law enforcement sensitive, and we would defer questions regarding the investigation to the FBI.
Is there any threat to public safety from the drone activity reported in New Jersey?
o At this time, according to the FBI, there are no known specific or credible threats related to these sightings.
Have there been other sightings of drone activity outside of New Jersey?
o According to open source, yes, there have been other drone sightings of this type both nationally and internationally.
o However, any questions about confirmed sightings of drones that are similar to what we are seeing in New Jersey will have to be referred to the FBI.
Why has the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) temporarily prohibited drones in Bedminster and Picatinny Arsenal if there is no threat?
o The FAA often imposes temporary flight restrictions to ensure the safety and security of sensitive areas, regardless of immediate threats.
o Airspace restrictions can also apply to all drones to prevent interference with ongoing investigations and ensure airspace safety.
o More information and active temporary flight restrictions: https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr2/list.html
Are the drones believed to be operated by local hobbyists, commercial businesses, the military, or another group?
o At this time, it is unclear who is operating the drones. This would be an aspect of the ongoing federal investigation.
o The State of New Jersey and its agencies are not involved in the operation of these reported drones.
Do you have any information specific to the drones, such as their manufacturer or model?
o Specific details about the drones are not available at this time as the federal investigation is still ongoing.
Shouldn’t drones have tracking devices that indicate registration numbers?
o Yes, drones are generally required to have tracking capabilities. However, not all drones comply, and investigations are ongoing to identify the operators.
Could drone activity be mistaken for general aviation aircraft, such as planes or smaller helicopters?
o Yes. Drone activity can sometimes be mistaken for general aviation aircraft, such as planes or smaller helicopters, due to several overlapping characteristics:
§ From a distance, drones can appear similar in size to smaller aircraft, leading to potential confusion. This is especially true when viewed from the ground at certain angles.
§ Although drones typically operate at lower altitudes, some can reach heights where they might be mistaken for general aviation aircraft, especially if visibility is poor or if the observer lacks reference points.
§ At night, the lighting on drones might resemble the navigation or anticollision lights found on airplanes and helicopters, making it difficult to distinguish between them.
§ While drones generally produce a distinct sound, environmental factors or the observer’s location might mask these differences, causing them to be mistaken for the more familiar sounds of manned aircraft.
§ Some drones have advanced capabilities that allow them to mimic the flight patterns of helicopters or small planes, such as hovering or making rapid directional changes.
Why can’t authorities or the military shoot down or capture a drone midflight?
o State and local authorities do not have the legal ability to mitigate threatening drone activity at this time.
o Federal agencies and the U.S. military have different legal abilities and technical capabilities.
o The U.S. Department of Homeland Security publication on these rules of engagement outlines the different authorities.
o Additional challenges for consideration:
§ Determining whether a drone is a threat can be difficult. Many drones are used for legitimate purposes and distinguishing between a benign and a malicious drone requires accurate identification and assessment.
§ Drones can vary widely in size, speed, and technology. Small drones are hard to detect and target, while larger drones might be more resilient to certain countermeasures.
§ Shooting down a drone can pose safety risks to people and property on the ground. Debris from a downed drone can cause injury or damage, especially in populated areas.
§ Engaging a drone involves legal considerations. Unauthorized actions could have legal repercussions.
§ While non-kinetic methods such as jamming or hacking can be used, they require sophisticated technology and expertise.
What if a member of the public attempts to shoot down a drone?
o Shooting down a drone in New Jersey is illegal and violates federal law, as drones are regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). If you shoot down a drone, you could face significant fines or even imprisonment (up to $250,000 fine and up to 20 years imprisonment).
How should the public report suspicious drone activity?
o Suspicious activity is any observed behavior that could be potential threats, terrorism, or other criminal activity. Anyone who observes suspicious activity should immediately report it to local law enforcement or NJOHSP’s CounterThreat Watch Unit at 866-4-SAFE-NJ (1-866-472-3365) or tips@njohsp.gov.
o Specific to the drones, any drone impacting critical infrastructure or other sensitive locations; or aviation activity or operation of an aircraft manned or unmanned, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle or drone in a manner that poses a threat to people or property.
§ Indicators of Suspicious Drone Activity
• Repeated unauthorized flights
• Suspected reconnaissance (i.e., repeated flyovers or prolonged hovering at low altitudes)
• Flights in sensitive areas meant to observe security response
§ Indicators of Suspicious Devices
• Unusual modifications
• Visible loose wires
• Lights taped over or removed
• Excessive tape used to conceal or attach additional items
• Additional visible batteries attached
• Lack of a registration number
• Unattended grounded Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Is there a particular time when drone sighting reports increase?
o At this time, sightings reportedly appear to occur in the late afternoon and evening hours.
Have any drones been traced back to their operators, and have there been any arrests?
o As of now, there have been no confirmed traces or arrests, but the federal investigation is ongoing.
As a reminder, if you have any information or have any questions, please contact the FBI. Please reserve calling 9-1-1 for emergencies.