FBI, Homeland Security Provide Update On Drones In MA Skies

MASSACHUSETTS — Massachusetts residents are among what federal agencies said are thousands of people who have filed tips related to increased drone sightings across the Northeast.

Now, officials with the FBI and Department of Homeland Security say they may have an answer for what's behind the increased sightings of mysterious aircraft and lights in the skies over Massachusetts and nearby states: absolutely nothing unusual.

In a joint statement released Tuesday, the agencies said that they've received some 5,000 tips and followed up on more than 100 leads with advanced detection technologies and trained observers.

"Having closely examined the technical data and tips from concerned citizens, we assess that the sightings to date include a combination of lawful commercial drones, hobbyist drones, and law enforcement drones, as well as manned fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and stars mistakenly reported as drones," the agencies said. "We have not identified anything anomalous and do not assess the activity to date to present a national security or public safety risk over the civilian airspace in New Jersey or other states in the northeast."

• Related: Drone Sightings In Cape Cod, MetroWest Communities: What We Know

These answers may not quell the skepticism and concern of Massachusetts residents, who recently received confirmation of their sightings.

The Harwich Police Department, on Cape Cod, issued a statement confirming the presence of unidentified drones.

Harwich police said they received a report from a resident on Dec. 12 that 10 to 15 drones were flying around their neighborhood around 9 p.m. that day. An off-duty officer said they noticed similar activity earlier that evening.

Local police have reported the drone sightings to the FBI's Boston office and the Massachusetts State Police.

Reports also state that Natick police have reported drone sightings to the same agencies, and WCVB said they received other, unconfirmed reports from communities including Framingham and Brookline.

Gov. Maura Healey said on X recently that she's also aware of the trend.

"I’m aware of a growing number of drone sightings across Massachusetts and we’re monitoring the situation closely," Healey said.

Still, at least one of the sightings that drew concern can be linked to unlawful drone flights by locals.

Two people, 42-year-old Robert Duffy, of Charlestown, and 32-year-old Jeremy Folcik, of Bridgewater, Massachusetts were arrested on Saturday after what Boston police are calling "hazardous drone operation" near Boston Logan Airport airspace.

The arrests were made on Long Island, part of the Boston Harbor Islands, officials said.
Police specializing in "real-time crime surveillance" detected a drone "operating dangerously close to Logan International Airport" around 4:30 p.m.

"Leveraging advanced UAS monitoring technology, the Officer identified the drone’s location, altitude, flight history, and the operators’ position on Long Island," police said.

Members of the Boston Police Harbor Patrol Unit were dispatched to Long Island and located three people inside the decommissioned Long Island Health Campus. Upon attempting to make contact, the suspects fled on foot.

Two of the three individuals were apprehended and identified as Duffy and Folcik. During the investigation, a drone was discovered inside a backpack carried by Duffy.

A continued search for the third suspect, believed to have fled the island in a small vessel, was conducted by officers and the Massachusetts State Police.

Duffy and Folcik are scheduled to be arraigned in Dorchester District Court on charges of trespassing. Further charges may be filed pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation.