New Jersey experiences surge in drone sightings, prompting FAA to implement temporary flight restrictions.

The temporary restrictions will end on January 17, 2025, with some exceptions.

New Jersey experiences surge in drone sightings, prompting FAA to implement temporary flight restrictions.
New Jersey experiences surge in drone sightings, prompting FAA to implement temporary flight restrictions.

In recent weeks, there has been an increase in drone sightings in New Jersey, prompting the Federal Aviation Administration to temporarily ban drone flights over certain areas.

Drone operations in support of national defense, homeland security, law enforcement, firefighting, search and rescue, or disaster response missions are not subject to the restrictions outlined in the notice, which expires on Jan. 17, 2025.

With a valid statement of work and an approved special governmental interest airspace waiver, commercial drone operations are permitted, provided that all applicable FAA regulations are adhered to.

A map indicating drone density in Monmouth County, New Jersey.
A map indicating drone density in Monmouth County, New Jersey.  (Courtesy: Monmouth County Sheriff's Office)

The U.S. government, specifically the White House, appears unconcerned about the increased sightings in New Jersey and other northeastern states, according to House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.

In a Planet Chronicle appearance, Johnson stated that as the speaker of the House, he shares the same frustrations as everyone else and they don't have the answers since the administration isn't providing them.

The speaker revealed that he arranged a meeting with officials from the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, and the FBI, but the answers he sought were not provided.

Drones in Fairfield, Connecticut
A social media user said she filmed several drones hovering over Fairfield, Connecticut, on Thursday, Dec. 12. (Lucy Biggers)

On Saturday, officials from the Biden administration held a call to discuss the recent drone sightings and address associated concerns.

The call was attended by officials from the FBI, the FAA, the National Security Council, the DHS, and the DoD.

Since the first mysterious drone was spotted in New Jersey in November, the FBI has received over 5,000 tips. However, only about 100 of these tips required further investigation.

Photos taken in the Bay Shore section of Toms River of what appear to be large drones hovering in the area at high altitudes
Photos taken in the Bay Shore section of Toms River of what appear to be large drones hovering in the area at high altitudes in New Jersey on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. The drones seemed to be well above the 400 feet height FAA regulations allow. (Doug Hood/Asbury Park Press)

Despite the recent increase, the FBI official stated that investigators have not discovered any substantial evidence of drone activity.

"The official stated that they are doing their best to find the source of the drone activities in question, but there may have been an overreaction."

Planet Chronicle Digital's Danielle Wallace and Audrey Conklin contributed to this report.

by Christina Shaw

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