New Jersey’s skies have turned into a real-life episode of “The X-Files,” with mysterious drones making nightly appearances across the state. From Bergen County to Morris and Somerset, residents are left scratching their heads—and maybe glancing nervously upward.
Since mid-November, these unidentified flying objects have been spotted hovering over homes, neighborhoods, and even sensitive locations like the Picatinny Arsenal and President-elect Donald Trump’s Bedminster golf course. The drones, described as larger than typical hobbyist models, often appear in clusters, performing slow, deliberate maneuvers that have residents both fascinated and freaked out.
Mysterious drones are flying all over New Jersey, and everyone and their grandmother has seen them. However, the combined efforts of the FBI, New Jersey state police, local police, local sheriffs, National Guard, homeland security, and governor’s office have no idea what’s happening and have not been able to crack this caper one week in.
Former Toms River School Board member and U.S. Army veteran Dan Leonard questioned the government’s inability to resolve the matter.
Governor Phil Murphy has assured the public that there’s “no known threat to the public at this time,” but that hasn’t stopped the rumor mill from churning out theories ranging from foreign espionage to extraterrestrial visitors to a top-secret government program. Conspiracy theories are running rampant, some even saying it’s a government operation searching the entire state for something they don’t want the public to know they are searching for.
Others say it is the U.S. military testing new drone technology.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy admitted he has no idea who is operating the drones but insists they pose no public risk.
“I don’t blame people for being frustrated,” Murphy said. “I should say, most importantly, right up front, we see – and when I say we, this includes Homeland Security, FBI, Secret Service, our state police – we don’t see any concern to public safety. Having said that, it’s frustrating that we don’t have more answers as to where they’re coming from and why they’re doing what they’re doing. We had last night 49 sightings.”
Yet, there is nothing to worry about, but he does not know who is operating the “very sophisticated” drones that “go dark” the minute the government “gets eyes” on them, according to Murphy. Murphy admitted the drones were also seen near military installations and other sensitive areas across the state.
Yet, other theories range from some commercial entity rolling out some secret service to the Chinese Communist Party running drones from a drone aircraft carrier off the Jersey coast.
It has become sheer and utter madness, but the state, local, and federal governments are not helping anyone make a single bit of sense out of it all.
Imagine if this were a real threat and something bad was happening, we’d all be screwed.
The FBI is on the case, urging anyone with information to come forward, yet the source of these drones remains as elusive as Bigfoot.
The situation took a more serious turn when a medevac helicopter had to be rerouted due to drone interference, prompting the FAA to impose flight restrictions over certain areas. Local officials are demanding answers, with mayors from 21 towns penning a letter to the governor seeking action and transparency.
That makes many a little bit worried about what is happening and our local, state, and federal government’s inability to either tell us what’s happening or get to the bottom of it.
It’s one of the state’s biggest issues this week, and suddenly, every government agency is playing Sgt. Schultz from Hogan’s Heroes, “I know nothing!”
