New Jersey Officials Address Concerns Over Drone Sightings

Assemblyman Roy Freiman and Assemblywoman Mitchelle Drulis (both D-Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset) have been briefed by the New Jersey State Police and New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness on the recent reports of drones flying over parts of the state.

Like many of their constituents, Assemblymembers Freiman and Drulis have been frustrated by a lack of information and answers regarding the drones. Information shared at the meeting did little to appease those concerns, and the members say they will continue to push for answers. Additionally, there have been no confirmed arrests or traces back to their operators.

While it is still unclear who is operating the devices, the NJ State Police announced that within the next few days, New Jersey will be receiving new technology with drone specific radar from the federal government to assist in the detection.

Assemblywoman Drulis stated, “As a dedicated member of the New Jersey Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee, we will continue to work closely with the New Jersey State Police and Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness to address this ongoing issue.”

There is an active federal investigation into these drone sightings, led by the FBI. Currently, all investigative information is classified as law enforcement sensitive. At this time, according to the FBI, there are no known specific or credible threats related to these sightings.

“This is a gap in potential security vulnerabilities that must be remedied expeditiously,” Freiman stated, and “we are committed to working with the New Jersey State Police and New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness to address these concerns and will keep the community informed as we learn more.”

Anyone who observes suspicious activity should immediately report it to local law enforcement or NJOHSP’s Counter-Threat Watch Unit at 866-4-SAFE-NJ (1-866-472-3365) or tips@njohsp.gov.