Mystery drone ban in New Jersey extended as congressman warns 'something's wrong' – Daily Express US

The enigma of drones swarming New Jersey skies has led to an escalated clampdown on the use of the craft. In recent weeks, throngs of residents have reported sightings of unexplained aerial phenomena across the state.
Authorities have moved swiftly to appease public concern, saying that these incidents present no national security risk. Yet in a move that has stirred suspicions, the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) has expanded its drone ban. It initially affected 22 local jurisdictions but has since been extended to an additional nine areas.
Although reports of drone sightings seem to be waning lately, fresh clips of such occurrences across Somerset, Ocean, and Bergen counties keep surfacing online, fueling ongoing intrigue. And the precise reasonings behind the new FAA restrictions remain elusive. Don’t miss… ‘We took a boat from New Jersey in hunt for drones and were left gobsmacked’ [LATEST]
When pressed for clarity, the FAA directed inquiries to the Department of Homeland Security, which then redirected them back to the FAA. Commenting on the matter, an FBI representative said that from around 5,000 logged reports, roughly 100 were considered “credible.”
Despite the amplified measures and heightened scrutiny, federal officials maintain that the drones do not threaten national security or public safety.
John Kirby, National Security Council spokesman, said: “We have not identified anything anomalous or any national security or public safety risk over the civilian airspace in New Jersey or other states in the Northeast.” Don’t miss…
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Ocean County Sheriff Michael G. Mastronardy reported that his officers employed their drone to follow a group of unidentified aircraft “coming off the ocean” spotted by a deputy. But their “industrial-grade” drone fell behind the faster-moving objects.
In December, local officials in Ocean County requested a state of emergency declaration so that federal aid could be used to address the drone incidents. The encounters seemed to peak in mid-to-late December, continuing even with an increased ban on drones.
Congressman Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey informed The New York Post that his sources with “high-clearance” in the US government confirmed his concerns that the drones represented surveillance efforts by an adversarial nation. Van Drew stated: “Something’s very wrong,” emphasizing the mysterious characteristics of the drones, which are as sizable as minivans and maneuver through radar-free zones.He continued: “We’ve got unidentifiable, sophisticated drones, as big as minivans, carefully navigating airspace that’s not covered by radar, in a very important part of our country, and still, a month later, we somehow don’t know anything. ” Furthermore, Van Drew criticized the government’s placating stance, adding: “We’re being told, ‘Don’t worry, everything’s okay.'”.
Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden also voiced his concerns about public safety and security: “Residents are increasingly alarmed by the surge in drone activity after dark, raising concerns about public safety and security.
“We cannot wait any longer. The Governor must act now, and the Air National Guard needs to step in to protect our communities.”
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