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Drone swarms spark fears across tri-state
Unexplained drone sightings continue to baffle residents across the tri-state area, with the latest incident occurring in Belleville, New Jersey. Mayor Michael Melham recorded dozens of drones swarming above homes and is joining the growing chorus of officials calling for answers. Mayor Eric Adams has acknowledged concerns, stating the city is actively investigating with federal, state, and local agencies. FOX 5's Teresa Priolo has the latest.
NEW YORK - The drone drama in the NYC area is deepening.
In recent weeks, several sightings of mysterious drones have been reported in parts of New Jersey. Sightings have been reported from down the Jersey Shore up to Sussex and Bergen counties.
Here's what we know (and don't know) about NJ's drone sightings
Mysterious drone sightings have been reported flying over parts of New Jersey in recent weeks, sparking speculation, concern and questions over who sent them – and why.
Here are the top headlines so far from Friday:
Trump calls for drones to be shot down
11:02 p.m., Jacob Flanagan
In a post on social media, New York City Mayor Eric Adams acknowledged the concerns over the drone sightings and assured the public that the city is working closely with federal, state, and local agencies to investigate the incidents.
8:15 p.m., Jacob Flanagan
President-elect Donald Trump has called for authorities to shoot down the mysterious drones that have been seen flying over New Jersey and Staten Island.
"Mystery Drone sightings all over the Country. Can this really be happening without our government’s knowledge. I don think so! Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shot them down!!! DJT" Trump wrote on Truth Social.
6:45 p.m., Jacob Flanagan
A drone did not crash into the Empire State Building according to New York City Emergency Management.
"There are no confirmed reports at this time of a drone crash into the Empire State Building," NYCEM Executive Director Aries Dela Cruz said in a post on X. "For an app that shares actual, verified emergency alerts, download the @NotifyNYC app from the store. Stay informed, not misled."
4:40 p.m., Alex Meier
Police reported that no drones were found after receiving reports that a drone crashed into a field and struck a power line near Route 206 in Hillsborough, Somerset County.
"At 12:10 p.m. all units cleared after a complete search of the area was concluded, and no down drone was recovered. There is no known threat to the public to report. The public is reminded to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) to report any suspicious drones in the area," Hillsborough Township Police Department said in a statement.
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NJ lawmakers demand answers over drone sightings
New Jersey lawmakers are demanding answers about the growing number of mysterious drone sightings across the state. FOX 5's Teresa Priolo has the story.
According to police, the report of a drone crash came from a Lowe's parking lot around 8:30 p.m. Thursday night.
Several firsts responders, including local and county police and fire crews, searched the area on foot and air but were unable to locate the drone. Millstone Valley Fire Department deployed drones the next morning and Somerset County Hazmat conducted another ground search, but no drones were found.
More headlines:
- Residents report drone crash in Hillsborough, NJ
- 'Multiple' drones reportedly enter airspace at NJ naval station
- Staten Island officials urge NYPD to investigate drone activity
- NJ Rep. Andy Kim reports drone sighting
Emergency crews scour Hillsborough, NJ
1:24 p.m. Alex Meier
Video from SkyFOX shows emergency response vehicles gathered in a shopping center in Hillsborough.
They were seen combing through nearby brush for hours.
One resident, who claims she heard a crash, told FOX 5 NY that her concerns are growing and called the mysterious events "bizarre." She's seen several "drones" flying near her home, just a few blocks away from the investigation.
Residents report drone crash in Hillsborough, NJ
12:15 p.m. Michael Stallone
Authorities converged on Hillsborough, New Jersey in an incident that could be related to a drone.
Several people that talked to FOX 5 NY's Stephanie Bertini said they heard a drone crash overnight in the area. FOX 5 NY is working to get that report confirmed by officials.
'Multiple' drones reportedly enter airspace at NJ naval station
11:45 a.m. Michael Stallone
"Multiple" instances of drones entering airspace at Naval Weapons Station Earle in Colts Neck, New Jersey were reported, according to ABC News.
Staten Island officials urge NYPD to investigate drone activity
10 a.m. Michael Stallone
Officials on Staten Island held a press conference, calling for the NYPD to investigate drone sightings over the NYC area.
"You know, there was a saying that we had after 9/11, ‘if you see something say something,’" said Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella. "I think that’s become, ‘if you see something, don’t worry about it.’ Because we saw it too and the people of Staten Island deserve answers, the people of this city and state and region deserve answers, of what the heck is going on.’"
NJ Rep. Andy Kim reports drone sighting
9:45 a.m. Michael Stallone
In a ride along with local police, Kim described what he saw in a post on X, formally Twitter.
"Last night I went out with local police to spot drone flying over New Jersey, here’s what I saw. We drove to Round Valley Reservoir and the officer pointed to lights moving low over the tree line," Kim said, in part.
Why are there drones in NJ?
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas briefed the congressional delegation last week, calling on the federal government for more answers.
"It's really frustrating that we don't have more answers as to where they were coming from and why they're doing what they're doing," Murphy said.
Earlier this week, federal law enforcement officials and private sector stakeholders testified about threats posed by unmanned aerial systems, or drones, at a joint hearing held by two house subcommittees.
- Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX): What is going on in New Jersey?
- Robert Wheeler (FBI): We're investigating, but I don't have an answer of who's responsible for that of one or more people that are responsible for those drone flights.
- Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX): Is the public at risk? Is public safety at risk?
- Robert Wheeler (FBI): There's nothing that is known that would lead me to say that.
The White House said Thursday that a review of the reported sightings shows that many of them are actually manned aircraft being flown lawfully.
White House National Security spokesman John Kirby said there were no reported sightings in any restricted airspace. He said the U.S. Coast Guard has not uncovered any foreign involvement from coastal vessels.
"We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or a public safety threat, or have a foreign nexus," Kirby said, echoing statements from the Pentagon and Murphy.