Bridgewater Police Address 'Concerns, Rumors' About Drones

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Bridgewater Police Chief John Mitzak issued a statement to the community concerning drone activity in the Township on Friday:

"I am writing to address recent concerns and rumors regarding the presence of drones in our community. Over the past several weeks, we have received numerous reports concerning the sighting of drones operating in and around Bridgewater Township. I want to assure you that we take these reports very seriously and are actively investigating any legitimate sightings of unknown unmanned aircraft. However, I would also like to clarify some misunderstandings and provide guidance to help ensure the safety and efficiency of these investigations.

While there have indeed been confirmed drone sightings, we have found that many of the reports received involve misidentification of manned aircraft. In some cases, residents have mistaken larger aircraft or helicopters for drones which leads to an overestimation of the number of unmanned aerial vehicles(UAVs) operating in our area. we ask that before reporting a potential drone sighing, residents check flight tracking resources such as publicly available flight radar apps or websites before contacting authorities. This will help us focus our efforts on investigating legitimate drone activity and allow us to distinguish between UAVs and manned aircraft.

Additionally, I want to take this opportunity to remind everyone of federal laws governing drone activity. The Federal Aviation Administration(FAA) and other federal agencies regulate the operation of drones in our airspace and there are strict penalties for any interference with any aircraft. It is important to note that federal statutes prohibit individuals from shooting down or damaging drones. We encourage all residents to report suspicious drone activity to the FBI and we urge you not to take matters into your own hands.

The Bridgewater Township Police Department remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of our community. We are continuously monitoring the situation and will respond appropriately to any verified incidents involving drones. Your cooperation and careful attention to the facts are essential in helping us maintain public safety and enforce the law."

Sincerely,

Chief Mitzak

Somerset County officials also issued a statement about drone activity on Friday: "Somerset County is aware of the growing community concerns regarding the recent drone sightings in the area, and we are actively engaged with our local, state, and federal partners on the issue. While at this time federal Homeland Security officials have stated there is no known threat, the safety of our residents continues to be our top priority and we are taking the presence of these drones seriously." Read More: Somerset County Addresses 'Growing Community Concerns' Over Drones

Thousands of tips have come in to the Federal Bureau of Investigation since they began investigating residents' reports of increased drone activity in their neighborhoods, and near important infrastructure. Local officials in more than half the state are fielding these same reports, including police and fire companies.

Most recently, a report of a drone crashing in a field in Hillsborough was reported and prompted police, firefighters, hazmat, and New Jersey State Police Aviation Units to search for it. No downed drone was ultimately recovered. Read More: Hazmat, Cops, Helicopters Search For Reported Crashed Drone In Hillsborough Field

To report drone activity: Call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit the tip online to tips.fbi.gov. Videos can be uploaded to the tip site. If you are unable to reach the FBI, report the sighting to the NJSP at 1-866-4SAFENJ.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.