PHILLIPSBURG, N.J. — Reports of drones hovering above New Jersey homes for hours, then returning again each night, have many people concerned. The FBI continues to investigate, and 69 News is now learning new information from county officials.
Hunterdon County officials say there’s definitely been an uptick in sightings this week.
Warren County Commissioner James Kern first spotted drones while walking his puppy.
“For almost the past month, these drones have been appearing nightly above the skies of Northwest New Jersey,” said Kern.
Thursday night, they were seen flashing over Merrill Creek Reservoir and Martins Creek Power Plant.
In Hunterdon County, they’ve been seen, “both over residences, over our some of our critical infrastructure, such as communications towers, some police stations. I understand there’s been spotted over Round Valley Reservoir, which is a little bit concerning,” said Hunterdon County Sheriff Fred Brown.
There have also been spottings over President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster, plus the Picatinny Arsenal. An official there reminds people it’s “unlawful to fly UAVs over Picatinny Arsenal and any other federal military installation without prior authorization.”
Residents in Morris County say they can’t be planes, because they’re too low. They say they also move back and forth.
“I think the creepy part is not that it’s just a drone, but that they’re so large,” said Melissa Koscielniak of Chatham, Morris County.
“A lot of people are reporting the same things that they’re spotted at dusk or thereafter that they display, blinking red and green lights, a steady white light,” said Brayden Fahey, Hunterdon County’s public safety director.
Hunterdon County officials met with State Police and Homeland Security earlier this week.
“They made clear that the FBI is leading the investigation, with assistance from the State Police and the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness,” said Fahey.
Gov. Phil Murphy tweeted the state is actively monitoring the situation and there is no known threat to the public at this time.
Kern is urging the FBI to release more information.
“Try to give us something, or tell us you don’t know, but at least don’t leave us hanging,” said Kern.
“There should be some answers, and I think we’re all waiting to hear what those answers are,” said Brown.
Assemblymen John DiMaio and Erik Peterson sent a letter to Murphy Friday, highlighting public fears and demanding immediate action.
Anyone who sees a drone is asked to report it to the FBI by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI.