NEW JERSEY (WABC) — There have been “multiple” instances of drones entering the airspace at a Navy weapons station in New Jersey, officials there said Friday, as the concern continues to grow over widespread drone sightings in the region.
Naval Weapons Station Earle, which is located in Colts Neck, New Jersey, said it was “aware” of the sightings in the region and “continues to closely coordinate with federal and state agencies to ensure the safety of our personnel and operations.”
“While no direct threats to the installation have been identified, we can confirm multiple instances of unidentified drones entering the airspace above Naval Weapons Station Earle,” Bill Addison, public affairs officer for the naval station, said in a statement to ABC News. “The base remains prepared to respond to any potential risks, leveraging robust security measures and advanced detection capabilities.”
The base did not say when the incidents happened.
On Friday, the FBI and Department of Homeland Security issued a joint statement on the reported drone sightings in New Jersey, saying they have “no evidence” that the sightings “pose a national securityor public safetythreat or have a foreign nexus.”
“The FBI, DHS and our federal partners, in close coordination with the New Jersey State Police, continue to deploy personnel and technology to investigate this situation and confirm whether the reported drone flights are actually drones or are instead manned aircraft or otherwise inaccurate sightings,” the statement said.
It comes as residents in northern New Jersey — especially in Morris and Somerset counties — have shared many videos and stories about drones larger than those used by hobbyists flying overheard at night since mid-November. Colts Neck is located in Monmouth County, in the eastern part of the state.
On ABC News Live, Kyra Phillips spoke with Matthew Murello, the mayor of Washington Township in Morris County about the mysterious drone sightings appearing at night.
Murello said that these drones “are not flying in a normal pattern like a commercial vehicle, they don’t sound like a normal commercial vehicle, they do not follow flight plans, they do not emit radio frequencies or any homing beacons.”
The Washington Township mayor explained that until the federal government gives state officials authorization, there’s nothing that can be done.
“That’s just disconcerting to those of us that are living out here… we’re just watching these things up in the sky and have absolutely no idea what they’re doing,” Murello said.
Despite the government saying there’s no real threat to these drones, Murello just wants to know what they are.
“If it’s not a threat… well, that’s a wonderful thing to say, but then just tell us what the heck they are,” Murello said.
Meanwhile, Mendham Borough Mayor Christine Serrano has organized a task force of police and community members to track, record and share drone sightings. Serrano organized the group one day after the New Jersey State Police meeting where elected officials learned nothing new about the drone activity.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy posted two letters on X regarding the drones flying over the state.
The first letter is penned to President Biden, requesting more federal resources to understand what is behind the activity since the law limits the ability of state and local law enforcement to counter the unmanned aircraft systems.
The second letter is to Sen. Chuck Schumer, Speaker Mike Johnson, Leader Mitch McConnell and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries “regarding the imminent lapse of DHS and FBI counter-unmanned aircraft systems authority” and calls on them to pass legislation empowering the state and local law enforcement agencies to use advanced detection and mitigation technologies.
Sen. Andy Kim, who was sworn into office just this week, spent Thursday night in Hunterdon County, which neighbors Somerset, where he said he saw dozens of drones in a two-hour period.
“People deserve answers,” Kim told reporters after his visit to the county. “We don’t need conspiracy theories or conjecture, we need assurances that the people charged with keeping us safe are on top of this issue, and a line of communication so that people feel like their government is taking this seriously.”
ALSO WATCH | New Jersey senator voices concern over mysterious drones spotted in NJ
Senator Andy Kim joins Eyewitness News to discuss the drone sightings around New Jersey.
He again reiterated his calls for a federal investigation by the FBI and Department of Homeland Security. Kim was one of the four senators in New York and New Jersey — along with fellow Democrats Schumer, Kirsten Gillibrand and Cory Booker — who wrote a letter to federal officials Wednesday calling for action.
“We write with urgent concern regarding the unmanned aerial system (UAS) activity that has affected communities across New York and New Jersey in recent days,” the letter said.
While the letter did not specifically mention Naval Weapons Station Earle, it included a note that the drones have been observed near “critical infrastructure and sensitive locations, including reservoirs and military installations.”
The White House downplayed some of the concerns of residents in a press briefing Thursday with national security communications adviser John Kirby saying “many” of the reported drone sightings appear to be lawfully operated manned aircraft.
“We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or a public safety threat, or have a foreign nexus,” Kirby added. “The Department of Homeland Security and the FBI are investigating these sightings, and they’re working closely with state and local law enforcement to provide resources using numerous detection methods to better understand their origin.”
Kim, after seeing the drones with his own eyes late Thursday, said the comments were not necessarily reassuring for residents.
“It’s hard for people to feel secure when there are unexplained drones flying overhead and they’re not getting answers they need from the federal investigation,” Kim said. “This has been going on for weeks and I’m just as frustrated as everyone else in not getting more information and details. That’s why I came out to see for myself, and I’m grateful for local police for taking me around.”
Sightings also have been reported in neighboring New York and Pennsylvania.
Experts told Eyewitness News to consider using tracking websites and apps such as FlightAware to determine whether an airplane is flying in your area.
The DHS recommends that anyone who sees what they consider to be suspicious drone activity should report it to their local police. If you live in New Jersey, you can also report it to the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness Counter-Threat Watch Unit at 866-4-SAFE-NJ (1-866-472-3365) or tips@njohsp.gov.
Meanwhile, New Jersey Fire Service is warning “Downed or landed drones should not be approached,” in a bulletin obtained by ABC News.
Multiple drones are seen over Bernardsville, N.J., Dec. 5, 2024
Brian Glenn/TMX via AP
(The Associated Press and ABC News contributed to this report.)
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North Jersey drone expert Mike Innella weighs in on drone sightings causing concern around New York and New Jersey.
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