Frustration Over NJ Drone Mystery Builds In Essex County

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — What’s up with the drones? That’s what a growing chorus of frustrated New Jersey residents continue to demand of authorities – including several lawmakers from Essex County.

Since first appearing nearly a month ago, nightly drone sightings have been reported across the state. Almost four weeks later, investigators at the state and federal level have not been able to figure out where the drones are coming from — or if they have some idea, they have not yet made that information public. See Related: ‘Drone Mothership’ Update, New Reporting Protocols Released In NJ

Theories have ranged from the extreme – such as U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew’s contested suggestion that the drones may coming from an off-shore Iranian “mothership” – to the more benign explanation that most of the sightings are just planes taking off from nearby airports. See Related: Drone Or Plane? Newark Airport In ‘Close Proximity’ To NJ Sightings

The FBI Newark, New Jersey State Police and New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness are asking the public to report any information related to drone sightings to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI. People can also submit tips online at tips.fbi.gov.

Local officials in Essex County have made statements about drones in the past week, including Fairfield and Caldwell.

In Belleville, the mayor said residents are concerned and demanding answers after spotting drones in their hometown. Read More: Firefighters Told To Wear Hazmat Suits For Downed Drones, NJ Mayor Says

On Friday evening, some people may have confused the bright lights they saw at Essex County Airport in Fairfield with drones, but the "activity" was only filming, which Netflix had permission for, an official said. Read More: ‘Activity’ At Essex County Airport Is Filming, Not Drones

Meanwhile, several federal and state lawmakers who represent the area have also been weighing in on the controversy. Catch up with some of their comments below.

CORY BOOKER: ‘RUMORS, FEAR AND MISINFORMATION’

Earlier this week, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, a Newark resident, sent a letter to the FBI and the U.S. departments of Homeland Security and transportation, asking for an update about the ongoing drone investigation.

Booker said that over the past several weeks, there have been multiple confirmed sightings of “unexplained drone activity” over New Jersey communities and military installations.

These sightings have been confirmed by local and state authorities, prompting the FBI to open an investigation into the sightings and the Federal Aviation Administration to impose flight restrictions over Picatinny Arsenal in Morris County and Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in Somerset County.

Last week, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy convened a briefing with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, state agencies and members of the New Jersey Congressional delegation.

The unexplained drone activity in and around New Jersey continues, however, with drone sightings over Naval Weapons Station Earle in Monmouth County reported on Dec. 9.

“I recognize the need to maintain operational security of ongoing investigations and that this situation requires complex interagency coordination,” Booker wrote. “However, there is a growing sense of uncertainty and urgency across the state—from constituents and local officials alike—despite assurances that the drones pose no known threats to public safety. As such, I urge you to share any relevant information about these drone sightings with the public.”

“Without transparency, I believe that rumors, fear and misinformation will continue to spread,” he urged.

MIKIE SHERRILL: ‘PEACE OF MIND FOR GARDEN STATE FAMILIES’

U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey’s 11th District – which includes several towns in Essex County – has also demanded more answers when it comes to unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in the Garden State.

The former Navy helicopter pilot, who sits on the House Armed Services Committee, had this to say about the situation in a letter to federal authorities on Thursday:

“New Jersey residents have come to me to share their deep concerns about the unidentified drones flying across Northern New Jersey. After conversations with the Department of Homeland Security, as well as state and local law enforcement, it’s become overwhelmingly clear that we need to modernize our counter UAS strategies to meet the demands of ever-changing technologies, ensure that military leaders at bases like Picatinny Arsenal have the tools they need to respond, and implement a better information-sharing system with members of the public. While there is no known threat to New Jerseyans, I urge Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and the Department of Defense to act swiftly to protect our national security and to provide peace of mind for Garden State families.”

Sherrill pointed out that she supported provisions in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act that would secure nearly $200 million to develop a strategy to counter threats from UAS technology and conduct a full assessment of the United States’s counter-UAS capabilities. See Related: Half Of NJ House Members Vote Against Huge Military Spending Bill

New Jersey's 11th Congressional District includes towns in Morris and Passaic counties, as well as the following municipalities in Essex County: Belleville, Bloomfield, Cedar Grove, Fairfield, Glen Ridge, Livingston, Maplewood, Millburn, Montclair (part), North Caldwell, Nutley, Roseland, South Orange, West Caldwell.

KRISTIN CORRADO, CHRISTOPHER DEPHILLIPS: 'WE NEED TRANSPARENCY'

Republican lawmakers have also been requesting more answers from federal authorities, a demand they say Murphy needs to be more assertive about.

The New Jersey Senate Republican Caucus, which includes Sen. Kristin Corrado (NJ-40), explained their stance in a letter to the governor’s office on Thursday.

“As you know, the New Jersey State Police and the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness held a briefing yesterday for members of the State Legislature in response to numerous drone sightings across New Jersey,” the lawmakers wrote.

“We want to emphasize that the safety and security of New Jersey residents remains our top priority,” they added. “Unfortunately, yesterday’s briefing failed to provide the clarity we expected. Instead, it raised more questions than it answered.”

The Republican caucus continued:

“The New Jersey State Police and local law enforcement have performed admirably given the limited information available to them. However, their efforts to address this issue have been significantly hindered by the Federal Government’s assertion of sole jurisdiction over engagement with these aircraft. This restriction, coupled with the Biden Administration’s slow and inadequate response, has exacerbated public concerns and left residents speculating about worst-case scenarios while they await answers. While federal officials claim to be actively investigating the situation, the lack of transparency has deprived residents of the information and peace of mind they deserve. This absence of clear communication only heightens anxiety and fuels distrust. Moreover, it is deeply concerning and contradictory for federal representatives to assert that there is no threat to public safety while simultaneously admitting they lack critical information about who is operating the drones, their origins, and their destinations. Such conflicting statements erode public trust and intensify the uncertainty that many of our constituents have rightfully expressed.”

“We share our constituents’ frustrations and understand the urgency of this situation,” the lawmakers implored to Murphy. “Therefore, we are calling on you to demand, in the strongest possible terms, complete transparency from the federal government.”

Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips, who also represents the 40th District, said that action is needed in a joint statement with Assembly Republican Leader John DiMaio.

“Our national security and the safety of New Jersey residents are at stake,” DePhillips emphasized. “We need transparency, real-time intelligence sharing and a clear action plan within the next 48 hours. Delays are unacceptable."

The 40th District includes towns in Bergen and Passaic counties, as well as the following municipalities in Essex County: Caldwell, Essex Fells, Fairfield, North Caldwell, Verona and West Caldwell.

BRITNEE TIMBERLAKE: ‘RUMORS, LIES AND CONSPIRACY THEORIES’

New Jersey Sen. Britnee Timberlake, a Democrat from the state’s 34th District, made a different sort of plea on Thursday.

Timberlake acknowledged that the drone sightings have raised concerns among residents in her district – and rightfully so. Their questions deserve answers, she said, urging federal authorities to provide more information.

However, Timberlake also urged her peers – and all other local leaders – to refrain from “exploiting” the fears of their constituents.

“While people all over New Jersey are anxious about the potential risks these drones might pose to their safety, security and privacy, as leaders, it is important not to exploit the high anxiety our residents already have due to various happenings in our world,” Timberlake said.

“Spreading rumors, outright lies, conspiracy theories and engaging in political theater with partisan objectives is counterproductive to the well-being of every citizen,” she asserted.

“The Pentagon has already had to waste valuable time debunking an irresponsible false conspiracy suggested by a New Jersey federal elected leader about ‘Iranian Motherships,’” the legislator continued.

“It is important for leaders to act responsibly by only sharing facts and known knowledge to date with the community at-large,” Timberlake continued. “The public— whether Democrat, Republican, independent, nonaffiliated or undecided—all depend on us for accurate information, let's provide only that. Any risk to New Jersey is a risk to us all. The safety, privacy, and wellbeing of residents is not a partisan issue.”

The 34th District includes the municipalities of Belleville, Bloomfield, East Orange, Glen Ridge, Nutley and Orange.

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