BELLEVILLE, NJ — “Three different groups of Congress people, all with different levels of intelligence clearings – all saying different things.” This was the update from Belleville Mayor Michael Melham this week as New Jersey continues to debate the great drone mystery of 2024.
Since first appearing nearly a month ago, nightly drone sightings have been reported across the state, including in Belleville. Most of the sightings have been happening from dusk to dawn. Federal investigators say they haven’t been able to figure out where the drones are coming from, but have claimed they aren’t a threat.
Since the controversy began, elected officials across the state have been weighing in, with many of them demanding more transparency – and more action.
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They include Melham, who continues to press for more answers after federal authorities debunked a rumored connection between the mysterious drones appearing in New Jersey and a search for “missing” radioactive material. See Related: NJ Drones And ‘Radioactive Material’ Rumor Debunked; Mayor Skeptical
Belleville’s mayor released the following video message on Wednesday (article continues below):
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Federal authorities have acknowledged that some of the drone sightings are real – although they’re likely just local hobbyists or drone enthusiasts legally taking their devices for a spin. Federal Aviation Administration regulations changed in 2023, allowing people to fly them at night – which may be contributing to the rise in sightings.
But for every “genuine” drone sighting there may be lots of cases of mistaken identity, officials say.
Some have suggested that many of the bright lights are just planes taking off from nearby airports. See Related: Drone Or Plane? Newark Airport In ‘Close Proximity’ To NJ Sightings
Other local residents may have confused the activity they saw at Essex County Airport in Fairfield with drones, but the hubbub was only filming – which Netflix had permission for, an official said. Read More: ‘Activity’ At Essex County Airport Is Filming, Not Drones
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Yet more sightings across the state, such as reports of a drone crashing into the Atlantic Ocean along the beach in Point Pleasant Beach, have been unable to be confirmed, authorities say. See Related: ‘Drone Crash’ Investigated In Point Pleasant Beach
The FBI said it has received tips of more than 5,000 reported drone sightings in the last few weeks. Their analysis so far?
“Having closely examined the technical data and tips from concerned citizens, we assess that the sightings to date include a combination of lawful commercial drones, hobbyist drones, and law enforcement drones, as well as manned fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters and stars mistakenly reported as drones. We have not identified anything anomalous and do not assess the activity to date to present a national security or public safety risk over the civilian airspace in New Jersey or other states in the northeast.”
The FBI Newark, New Jersey State Police and New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness are asking the public to report any information related to drone sightings to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI. People can also submit tips online at tips.fbi.gov.
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