Ocean County sheriff on hunt for mystery drones; Monmouth releases drone map – Asbury Park Press
The mysterious drone sightings across New Jersey seem to be increasing, prompting the Ocean County sheriff to send out its drone unit to track down the unknown flights.
Meanwhile, Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden has released a map with sightings. He is also calling on federal and authorities for more transparency and increased tools to find the origin of the drones.
The umanned aerial vehicles have left state and local officials flummoxed.
Rep. Chris Smith:50 drones came in from ocean; At least a dozen trailed Coast Guard ship
“I don’t blame people for being frustrated,” Gov. Phil Murphy said to the media Monday. “It’s really frustrating that we don’t have more information on where they’re coming from or what they’re doing.”
He added: “We’ve gotten good cooperation out of the feds, but we need more.”
The drones are highly sophisticated, Murphy said, part of the reason there are so few answers.
“The minute you get eyes on them, they go dark,” he said, stressing that there is no known threat.
Hours after those comments, another 20 to 25 drones were seen moving through Western Monmouth County, authorities said.
The Ocean County Sheriff’s Office’s Drone Unit has been out searching the night sky since the first local sightings last week, county Sheriff Michael Mastronardy said Monday.
Mastrondardy said the drone unit has so far detected drones that are three to four feet long, twice the size of those in the unit, although another law enforcement agency reported one as large as eight feet long. The unidentified drones have been seen in Berkeley, Lacey, Lavallette, Point Pleasant Beach and Toms River, he said.
“We’re fortunate to have talented people in the unit who have the knowledge and expertise needed,” he said.
In Monmouth County, Middletown Mayor Tony Perry said there were six reported sightings in the township, with another four on Sunday. The sightings were reported to be in and around Naval Weapons Station Earle, Leonardo, Port Monmouth and the Belford area.
The mayor also talked with Murphy and his chief of staff, as well as senators and members of congress, requesting a briefing from the Department of Homeland security.
“With [Middletown] being home to a military base, there’s always going to be extra vigilance and eyes on these military installations…and being home to Earle, it’s cause for concern, obviously,” Perry said. “At the moment, unfortunately I have more questions than answers.”
In a Facebook post Monday, Golden released a map showing drone sightings in the county, with the largest collection along the Bayshore, including Middletown as well as a cluster over western Monmouth. Drones have also been spotted at Earle’s mainland base in Colts Neck, in addition to its bayfront base in Middletown, according to the map.
Golden is urging federal and state officials to collaborate in identifying the drones.
“The Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office and partners in law enforcement are actively monitoring the situation which doesn’t appear to be a threat to public safety. However, additional tools are needed at the state level to identify the source, as well as more transparency federally, regarding drone operations over critical infrastructure and sensitive areas,” the post read.
“We are aware of the unease these drone sightings have caused in our communities,” Golden said in the statement. “It is essential that we address these incidents swiftly to prevent any concerns or disruptions.”
Cops:Mystery drones sighted in Monmouth, Ocean counties
Officials are urging anyone with information to call the FBI at 800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or submit it online at tips.fbi.gov.
Golden sent a letter Monday to U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., requesting tools and training from the federal government to better deal with mystery drones. He also asked for “mandatory deconflicton reporting for non-emergency drone operations” to avoid potential conflicts and to enhance situational awareness.
Mastronardy’s office sent out a text alert Friday asking residents, “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.”
Mastronardy declined to say how many drones the unit is operating, but said it will continue the surveillance.
In a social media statement on Friday morning, Point Pleasant Beach Police Department Chief, Robert J. Kowalewski 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 unidentified drone sightings have been reported in Bergen, Esssex, Hunterdon, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, Somerset, and Warren counties. Some eyewitnesses have reported seeing “car-sized” objects that appear to rise in the sky as the sun sets. They have been hovering over reservoirs, military installations and critial infrastructure.
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 joint statement on Dec. 3, the FBI, State Police and the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness 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
Ken Serrano covers crime, breaking news and investigations. Reach him at 732-643-4029 or at kserrano@gannettnj.com.
(This story was updated to add a video)
