The FBI's Newark field office issued a stark warning this week, urging New Jersey residents not to shoot down drones or point lasers at aircraft as reports of mysterious aerial sightings surge across the state. The advisory comes amid growing public unease, fueled by social media posts documenting the supposed drones lighting up night skies along the East Coast.
Authorities emphasized the dangers of such actions, noting that misidentifications can lead to tragic consequences. "There could be dangerous and possibly deadly consequences if manned aircraft are targeted mistakenly as unmanned aerial systems (UAS)," the FBI said in a joint statement with the New Jersey State Police. They added that lasers pointed at pilots have already resulted in injuries, further complicating efforts to ensure airspace safety.
The FBI revealed that more than 5,000 drone sightings have been reported in recent weeks, triggering widespread speculation and concern among residents. Many have shared videos online, showcasing what they believe to be UAS. Officials, however, cautioned against jumping to conclusions, citing common misidentifications of celestial objects, satellites, or even manned aircraft as drones. "Accurate identification is critical for maintaining safety and ensuring appropriate responses to UAS activity," the statement stressed.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has joined efforts to investigate the drone phenomenon. Yet, officials reiterated that there is no evidence linking the sightings to national security threats. Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder dismissed speculation of government involvement, stating the drones were neither experimental programs nor part of military operations. Similarly, a joint statement by the FBI, FAA, Department of Defense, and Department of Homeland Security emphasized there is no indication the drones are anomalous or pose a safety threat.
Despite these assurances, frustrations among New Jersey residents and lawmakers persist. Representative Jim Himes of Connecticut called for greater transparency, urging the FAA and other agencies to proactively inform the public. "Just putting information out there to fill that vacuum would be helpful," Himes said during a television interview.
Adding to the confusion, local rumors linked the drone sightings to a recent incident involving missing radioactive material in New Jersey. On December 5, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued an alert about a damaged shipping container from the Nazha Cancer Center. The container, which held a depleted radioactive isotope used in medical imaging, was temporarily misplaced but later recovered safely. Officials, including the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, confirmed that drones were not involved in the search.
Theories tying the drones to the radioactive material gained traction after Belleville Mayor Michael Melham speculated during a televised interview. However, federal agencies swiftly debunked the connection. A spokesperson for the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) clarified, "The Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration's Nuclear Emergency Support Team (NEST) does not employ drones for nuclear/radiological detection missions and is not conducting aerial operations in the region."
While investigations continue, authorities are focusing on ensuring public safety and addressing the rising concerns. FBI Newark emphasized the collaborative effort underway to locate and monitor potentially illegal drone operators. "FBI Newark, NJSP, and dozens of other agencies and law enforcement partners have been out every night for several weeks to legally track down operators acting illegally or with nefarious intent and using every available tool and piece of equipment to find the answers the public is seeking," the agency said.
