The FBI and New Jersey State Police have issued an alarm to residents, warning against shooting at mysterious drones or pointing lasers at aircraft.
The joint statement highlights an alarming rise in incidents where pilots of manned aircraft have been blinded by lasers, as people mistake them for drones. Authorities also expressed concern over potential gunfire aimed at what may be manned aircraft, as residents in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland report sightings of unidentified drones, including over sensitive locations like Picatinny Arsenal and Trump’s Bedminster golf club.
The FBI and NJSP are working tirelessly, deploying extensive resources to track down drone operators, but the risk of targeting an actual aircraft is serious and potentially deadly. Despite these efforts, the situation has fueled panic, with local lawmakers such as Rep. Thomas Kean Jr. and Sen. Jon Bramnick urging the government to take more action.
In response, Gov. Phil Murphy announced the receipt of three advanced systems from the federal government to monitor and track drones, while Rep. Jeff Van Drew has raised concerns over possible Iranian involvement, speculating about a “mothership.” The Pentagon quickly shot down this claim, denying the existence of such a vessel. Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has called for the deployment of special detection technology to better track the growing number of mysterious drone sightings along the East Coast.
