The FBI advises New Jersey residents to refrain from aiming drones or directing laser beams at aircraft.

The FBI office in Newark advised New Jersey residents not to aim drones or laser pointers at manned aircraft, posting on social media to caution against the hazardous and potentially lethal behavior, which coincides with an increase in reported drone sightings along the East Coast of the United States.

Residents have been panicking after seeing drones in the U.S. skies, and they have been sharing photos and videos on social media. Some users have taken matters into their own hands, documenting their attempts to stop the drones with laser beams.

The FBI and New Jersey State Police issued a warning against using lasers to target manned aircraft, stating that there has been an increase in incidents where pilots have been hit in the eyes with lasers after being mistaken for drones.

There is a concern that people on the ground may mistakenly fire weapons at a manned aircraft, thinking it is an Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS).

"The FBI Newark, NJSP, and numerous law enforcement agencies have been actively searching for illegal operators with malicious intentions for several weeks. They have employed all available tools and equipment to gather the information the public requires. However, there is a risk of dangerous and potentially deadly consequences if manned aircraft are mistakenly targeted as UAS."

It is easy for a person on the ground to confuse a manned aircraft with a UAS.

Frequently, UAS are misidentified as manned aircraft, satellites, or celestial bodies like planets or stars, according to them.

"To ensure safety and appropriate responses to UAS activity, a variety of tools and techniques can be used to assist with the visual identification of suspected UAS. These methods are crucial for improving accuracy and preventing false sightings."

The FBI field office and state police have issued a statement as New Jersey residents and lawmakers express their concerns over the increase in drone sightings and the perceived lack of information provided by the federal government regarding the issue.

The drones in question are not a national security threat, as emphasized by U.S. officials. Maj. Gen. Patrick S. Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, clarified during a Tuesday briefing that the drones are not government assets and are not part of any experimental program being tested by the U.S.

On Monday, the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the Department of Defense issued a joint statement stating that, despite public concern, there is no evidence that drones are "anomalous" or a threat to public safety or U.S. national security.

On Tuesday afternoon, officials from the CIA, FBI, and DOD went to Capitol Hill to inform the House Intelligence Committee about the increase in drone sightings.

The extent to which these efforts have been successful in preventing the increase in public concerns is unclear.

Over the past few weeks, the FBI has received over 5,000 reports of alleged drone sightings, which reflects the growing concern among some residents who have been documenting their encounters on social media.

Connecticut Congressman Jim Himes, R-Conn., used a "Planet Chronicle Sunday" interview to urge federal agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration, to disclose more information about drone sightings to the public.

Himes stated that the FAA, which is responsible for overseeing domestic skies, should release a statement on Saturday morning showing the number of commercial, private, and military aircraft that fly over New Jersey in a 24-hour period.

Adding information to fill the void would be beneficial, he stated.