Monmouth county sheriff sees new jersey drone event as opportunity to push recreational anti-drone legislation

FREEHOLD, NJ – Politicians will never let a big story go to waste. Now, one official in Monmouth County sees the current drone scare in New Jersey as a justifiable reason to advance anti-drone legislation against legal private drone operators.

The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners has thrown its support behind Sheriff Shaun Golden’s request for Governor Phil Murphy to declare a State of Emergency and implement a nighttime recreational drone ban in response to a wave of drone sightings across the region.

Going forward, Golden, a retired Toms River Police Department officer, made it clear, he would like to see local police departments and his own agency have more control over who can fly drones and where.

Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone confirmed the Board’s backing on Thursday, emphasizing the growing urgency of the situation. “We are completely supportive of the Sheriff’s call for Governor Murphy to declare a state of emergency,” Arnone said, noting ongoing coordination with local law enforcement and prosecutors to address the problem.

Sheriff Golden cited escalating concerns over public safety and national security, pointing to challenges posed by drones during nighttime hours, including illegal surveillance, interference with infrastructure, and risks to aviation. The Sheriff also urged federal lawmakers to act swiftly, saying, “Congress must pass legislation enabling law enforcement agencies to better address this nationwide issue.”

The drone sightings have complicated emergency response efforts across Monmouth County, with Golden citing difficulties in identifying operators and determining the intent of the devices in low-visibility conditions. Golden seeks a blanket ban on drone use and stricter regulations for private citizen drone operators.

Officials are calling for immediate measures to mitigate risks and provide law enforcement with tools to manage unauthorized drone activity.

In Ocean County, Sheriff Michael Mastronardy had spoken about the capability of police departments to employ anti-drone measures to disable drones flying over crime scenes, disaster areas, and other police investigations.

The Sheriff’s Office and County Commissioners argue that federal and state action is essential to maintain public safety, protect critical infrastructure, and prevent potential disasters.

Monmouth County officials are escalating the fight against unregulated nighttime drone use, warning of aviation risks and threats to critical infrastructure. Those laws would hinder the public’s right to fly drones at night, and could become a First Amendment issue.

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