Mystery drones sighted in Monmouth, Ocean counties: Cops – Asbury Park Press
Those mystery drones have now been spotted across numerous towns in Monmouth and Ocean counties, police have confirmed.
In a statement on Friday evening, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago said there have been “multiple reports of drone sightings in municipalities across Monmouth County late this week.”
Santiago issued the statement with Spring Lake Heights Police Chief Edward Gunnell, in his capacity as president of the Monmouth County Police Chiefs Association.
“As of now, the drones are not known to pose any specific threat to public safety,” the statement said. “The aforementioned sightings have taken place along the Bayshore Region, the Atlantic Coast, and interior sections of Monmouth County.”
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said Friday night that his office was working with local law enforcement, the county Sheriff’s Office, the New Jersey State Police, the state Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, and the FBI in monitoring and investigating unidentified drone activity in Ocean County.
“We encourage anyone that sees suspicious drone activity to call 911 or the FBI hotline at 1-800-CALL-FBI,” Billhimer said.
Ocean County residents were also instructed Friday night not to call 911 if they see a suspicious drone in the sky.
In a text message alert to the public at 8 p.m. Friday, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office wrote: “Please do not dial 9-1-1 to report a drone sighting unless it’s an emergency — call 800-225-5324 to report suspicious activity.”
In a social media statement on Friday morning, the Point Pleasant Beach Police Department released a statement from its chief, Robert J. Kowalewski, who reported that “three drones were observed throughout town predominantly along the coastline and the train tracks near the south end of town” on Thursday night.
The department has notified state and federal agencies “as per protocols” and would continue to monitor the skies for “any and all drone activity,” the statement said.
Soon after, Point Pleasant Beach Mayor Doug Vitale released his own missive in response to his chief’s.
“I am working closely with our police department and my law enforcement contacts to determine the origin and purpose of these drones,” Vitale said on his Facebook page. “Once we have more information, we will share it with the public.”
The police did not disclose the circumstances of the sighting on Thursday night.
In Monmouth County, Sheriff Shaun Golden said in a statement on Friday that he was communicating closely with state and federal law enforcement partners in regard to possible sightings.
“There is no known threat to public safety,” Golden said.
On Thursday, Gov. Phil Murphy said he had a briefing this week with U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas about the matter. The New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, State Police and members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation also participated in the briefing.
“We are actively monitoring the situation and are in close coordination with our federal and law enforcement partners on this matter,” Murphy said in a statement on X, adding that there is currently no indication of any threat to public safety.
The sightings, which began in Morris County just before Thanksgiving, have since been reported in Sussex, Somerset, and Warren counties, as well as other areas in North Jersey. Some eyewitnesses have reported seeing “car-sized” objects that appear to rise in the sky as the sun sets.
Amy Thoreson, a spokeswoman with the FBI’s office in Newark, said Friday that there was no new information about drone sightings over New Jersey beyond its statement from earlier in the week.
In a statement on Tuesday, the FBI said authorities were asking the public to report any information related to the recent sightings of possible drones flying in several areas along the Raritan River
Witnesses have spotted the cluster of what look to be drones and a possible fixed wing aircraft, the statement said.
There are reports from the public and law enforcement sources dating back several weeks, according to the FBI.
Authorities have yet to determine the origin or intent of the drones. While some sightings may be legitimate, officials caution that others could be cases of misidentified objects or hoaxes.
The State Police directed all inquiries about the mystery drones to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Social media has been buzzing about drone sightings, with photos posted about sightings in Toms River and a purported radio transmission about drones from Manasquan.
Calls to police about those reports were not immediately returned.
On Tuesday, citing reports from both the public and law enforcement, the FBI, State Police and the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness issued a joint statement asking the public to report “any information related to the recent sightings of possible drones flying in several areas along the Raritan River. Witnesses have spotted the cluster of what look to be drones and a possible fixed wing aircraft.”
Anyone with relevant information is asked to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit it online at tips.fbi.gov.
Contact Asbury Park Press reporter Erik Larsen at elarsen@gannettnj.com.
