New Jersey State Senator Calls for Drone Ban Amid Mysterious Night Flights

The mysterious drone activity over New Jersey has prompted State Senator Jon Bramnick to call for a limited state of emergency, as local and federal authorities struggle to identify the source of numerous large unmanned aircraft sightings near sensitive locations, including President-elect Trump’s Bedminster golf course. The Republican lawmaker’s Tuesday statement comes as mayors from 21 New Jersey municipalities demanded action from Governor Phil Murphy through a joint letter, leading to a scheduled briefing with New Jersey State Police and the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness. At Picatinny Arsenal, a military research facility in Morris County, officials have documented 11 confirmed drone sightings by security personnel since November 13, reports ABC News et NBC New York.

Growing Public Concern Over Unexplained Drone Activity

The situation has drawn increasing attention from law enforcement and public officials, with Governor Phil Murphy recently meeting with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and state law enforcement officials to address the concerns. While Murphy maintains there is no known threat to public safety, the frequency and scale of sightings have prompted broader investigation.

In Oak Ridge, residents Phil and Maureen Doyle reported witnessing what they described as dozens of drones flying overhead on a single night.

“One goes over and then another. It’s not two or three a night, it’s 30 or 50 a night,” Phil Doyle stated, describing aircraft approximately the size of a dining room table equipped with lights.

Military Installation Denies Involvement

Picatinny Arsenal, a nearby military facility, has explicitly denied any connection to the mysterious flights. Lt. Col. Craig A. Bonham II, Picatinny Arsenal Garrison Commander, confirmed at least 11 verified drone sightings between November 13 and December 6, with an additional six unconfirmed reports.

“While the source and cause of these aircraft operating in our area remain unknown, we can confirm that they are not the result of any Picatinny Arsenal-related activities,” Bonham stated.

FBI Investigation Underway

In a recent congressional exchange, House Homeland Security Subcommittee Chairman August Pfluger pressed FBI Counterterrorism Division Assistant Director Robert Wheeler about the mysterious drone activities. Wheeler confirmed that the FBI’s Newark office, working alongside state and local partners, is actively investigating the unexplained drone sightings, particularly those near sensitive sites.

“We do not attribute that to an individual or a group yet,” Wheeler stated during the hearing, emphasizing that while the investigation remains active, the FBI has no definitive answers about who is responsible for the coordinated flights. The Bureau has established a tip line (1-800-CALL-FBI) for public assistance in resolving the situation.

When questioned by Chairman Pfluger about potential risks to public safety or national security, Wheeler offered a measured response. “There’s nothing that is known that would lead me to say that, but we just don’t know and that’s concerning,” he acknowledged, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding the incidents.

Expanding Geographic Reach

The phenomenon has recently spread beyond New Jersey’s borders, with similar sightings reported in Staten Island, prompting the FBI’s involvement and leading to requests for flight restrictions over the area. This expansion has heightened concerns about the coordinated nature of the flights and their unknown purpose.

The drone incidents raise significant questions about drone regulation enforcement and surveillance capabilities in residential areas. While recreational and commercial drone operations have specific federal guidelines under FAA regulations, the scale and timing of these sightings suggest a potentially organized effort rather than isolated civilian flights.

These developments come at a time when drone technology continues to advance rapidly, presenting new challenges for regulators and law enforcement agencies tasked with maintaining public safety while balancing legitimate drone use. The situation highlights the growing need for enhanced drone detection and identification systems, particularly in sensitive areas near military installations and populated regions.

As investigations continue, the proposed temporary ban would represent one of the most stringent responses to unauthorized drone activity in recent U.S. history, reflecting growing concerns about the security implications of unidentified drone operations in residential areas.