Sangbad Voice 9, International Desk: The recent emergence of enigmatic drone sightings across New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and various other East Coast locales has incited a fervent demand for clarity from officials regarding these aerial phenomena, particularly as some have been observed in proximity to military installations.
The initial sightings were reported in mid-November near Morris County, nestled in northern New Jersey. Since that time, a plethora of low-flying drones have been documented throughout the Garden State, with additional reports surfacing over Staten Island, diverse neighborhoods in New York City, the northwestern reaches of Rockland County, and multiple counties in Pennsylvania.
Former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan recounted a personal experience, stating, "I personally witnessed (and videoed) what appeared to be dozens of large drones in the sky above my residence in Davidsonville, Maryland (25 miles from our nation's capital). I observed the activity for approximately 45 minutes," commencing around 9:45 p.m. on a Thursday evening.
A federal representative disclosed that the FBI has assumed the primary role in investigating these sightings. An official from the agency informed CBS News that they have received several thousand tips, while local law enforcement agencies are also conducting inquiries.
Numerous sightings have been reported across various regions, including parts of New Jersey, New York City, suburban Rockland County, several eastern Pennsylvania counties, as well as Maryland, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. The NYPD indicated that multiple drones were observed traversing a neighborhood in the Bronx; however, shortly after officers responded to the reports, the drones vanished from sight.
What insights have authorities provided regarding the drone sightings?
In a correspondence addressed to President Biden, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy urged for an allocation of additional resources to elucidate the underlying causes of the heightened drone activity, also referred to as unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
"The persistent reports of UAS activity have engendered more questions than answers and have spurred a proliferation of conspiracy theories across social media and other platforms," Murphy articulated in a letter he shared on social media. "I respectfully implore you to continue directing the federal agencies involved to collaborate until they unveil the truths behind the UAS sightings."
During a call-in program on Wednesday night, Murphy indicated that he would raise the issue with the White House on Thursday, while reassuring constituents that, at present, the drones do not seem to pose a safety threat. "Based on everything we know," Murphy stated, "there is no public safety risk we're aware of. On the other hand, is it frustrating to not have more answers on this? Is it frustrating to not have a source for these things? Yes."
New York Governor Kathy Hochul affirmed on Friday that there is no evidence suggesting the drones pose a threat, and that authorities are collaborating with the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, and other federal entities. The New York State Police reported receiving numerous accounts of drone sightings and have disseminated an email address on social media for individuals to submit additional reports.
White House national security spokesman John Kirby remarked on Thursday that "we have not been able to corroborate any of the reported visual sightings," asserting that many of the drones may actually be manned aircraft operating within legal parameters.
File Photo Credit to AP
