NEW JERSEY (PIX11) – The federal government may soon be taking more steps to figure out why drones are flying over the tri-state area.
Hundreds of lawmakers and mayors were invited to a New Jersey State Police-led meeting on Wednesday at the Regional Operations and Intelligence Center in Ewing, N.J. Leaders told PIX11 News they didn't learn much at all, but were promised that the drone sightings are being seriously investigated.
“In the next week, I think we’re going to have some more sophisticated radar brought in from the federal government,” said Sen. Declan O’Scanlon (R-NJ). “I think we’ll know a lot more, I think.”
Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia, who was also at the meeting, wrote on X that lawmakers were told that the drones are up to 6 feet in diameter, fly in a coordinated manner and avoid detection by traditional methods.
The drones are not believed to be flown by enthusiasts, she said.
"We know nothing. PERIOD. To state that there is no known or credible threat is incredibly misleading, and I informed all officials of that sentiment," she wrote. "State authorities, including the NJSP, are shackled with what they are able to do. Any interception or takedown of any UAS is under the strict jurisdiction of the federal government."
Witnesses claimed the drones seen in the sky could be massive – the size of cars. They have unusual light patterns and fly at low altitudes, drone enthusiasts said.
“I can get about 45 minutes in the air just hovering with my drone,” said Mike Innella, the owner of New Jersey Drone Shots. “These drones are up in the air for more than two hours.”
Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) testified on Capitol Hill earlier this week that the Coast Guard reported one of its lifeboats was followed – almost pursued – by multiple drones as it patrolled.
The drones are not from the U.S. military, according to the Pentagon. The agency denied the drones were from an adversary or a foreign country.
“They talked about just the other night, they got 180 sightings of drones,” said Ryan Herd, the mayor of Pequannock Township. “We are literally being invaded by drones and we have no idea who’s doing it and where they’re coming from.”
“I consider – and I think all the mayors in there consider – the size and weight of these things is a threat,” said Sam Morris, the mayor of Mine Hill Township. “If they lost power or they short-circuited, they’re coming down, and they’re big.”
Homeland Security may also get involved in the drone sighting investigations, lawmakers said.
Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.
