NJ Spotlight News
Local officials frustrated by drone mystery
Clip: 12/10/2024 | 4m 16sVideo has Closed Captions
No ID yet for source of dozens of drones operating across New Jersey recently
The unidentified drones flying in Jersey’s night skies have sparked curiosity -- and outrage over a lack of information from federal authorities.“We understand that this is quite possibly our federal government, it could be state government. ...But at this point, we want to know, is that them?” said Christine Serrano Glassner, mayor of Mendham Borough.
Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback
NJ Spotlight News is a local public television program presented by THIRTEEN PBS
NJ Spotlight News
Local officials frustrated by drone mystery
Clip: 12/10/2024 | 4m 16sVideo has Closed Captions
The unidentified drones flying in Jersey’s night skies have sparked curiosity -- and outrage over a lack of information from federal authorities.“We understand that this is quite possibly our federal government, it could be state government. ...But at this point, we want to know, is that them?” said Christine Serrano Glassner, mayor of Mendham Borough.
Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback
How to Watch NJ Spotlight News
NJ Spotlight News is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipReports of mysterious drone sightings continue throughout new Jersey, especially in several North Jersey communities, where some neighbors say they've had nightly visits from unmanned vehicles since mid-November.
The Federal Aviation Administration has imposed drone flight restrictions while the FBI investigates.
But so far, no one is offering up an explanation for who or what is behind them.
As Ted Goldberg reports, that's not enough for some rattled residents and lawmakers who are demanding answers.
I ran outside, looked up, and there it is.
It's huge.
It's loud.
You can't miss it.
The mysterious Jersey drones have been the talk of Mendham for a few weeks now.
Curious residents are wondering what's flying around their night skies.
I sit in my hot tub.
I watch the planes fly, so I know what the planes look like.
This is not a plane.
It's not following a regular flight pattern, and they have a tendency to stop and hover at different times.
And you can hear them.
You can hear something other than, like a loud engine.
It's more of a hum or a buzz.
Mayor Kristine Serrano Glasner wants answers, and she's far from alone.
We understand that this is quite possibly our federal government, could be state government, and we know that there's certain things that maybe they can't share.
But at this point, we want to know, is that them?
I spoke with people in Mendham who wonder if the drones are controlled by the government or the military.
Nobody's interfering with them.
I know the state, the local and the federal government is interfering, I guess, and it's the Department of Defense.
I have really no concern whatsoever.
All the residents want to know about it.
They want to know.
But sometimes some things are kept.
You know, better secret, if it's there to do doing stuff to protect us or to, you know, got to have a plan in case something does happen.
Like it happened has happened in other countries.
I hear a lot of conspiracy theories.
I mean, it's in our politics today too, so you can make conspiracy theories up about drones too.
So this is an E.T.
coming from his home planet to say hello?
I don't think so.
I think we're just fine.
I think it's for our protection and our safety.
So I'm not worried about it.
But I wish that Governor Murphy would be more forthcoming.
I'm sure he knows what's going on, and he's told not to talk about it.
Governor Phil Murphy spoke with reporters Monday, saying he's talked with the Department of Homeland Security, the Secret Service, the FBI and state police.
Murphy says there's no active threat as we don't see any concern for public safety.
That's number one.
Number two, having said that, it's really frustrating, that we don't have more answers as to where they're coming from and why they're doing what they're doing.
The outrage over a lack of information has been bipartisan.
We just want some answers.
We need to know what's going on.
We need to know why it's there, and we need to know for certain, what, if any, risk it poses.
And if the answer is not, we need to be able to tell people with a straight face why that is.
There's been not enough information disclosed to the public from federal law enforcement officials and the agencies, who are chiefly responsible for monitoring drone activity.
That's why I've written to the FBI, to the Department on Security and the FAA asking them to immediately brief the public on the recent drone activity.
Congressman Josh Gottheimer isn't the only gubernatorial candidate demanding action.
State Senator Jon Bramnick has proposed banning drones statewide until the public gets an explanation.
Mayor Glasner is one of 15 mayors in Morris County to sign a letter sent to state police and the FAA asking for an explanation.
Why are they not doing more of an investigation, and what information is being collected exactly on this town in particular, I've got residents that are really concerned that feel like, you know, these drones have been peering in their windows.
The Army says 11 drones were spotted over Picatinny Arsenal in Morris County over the last few weeks.
They say the Army isn't flying them, only adding to the mystery developing in our skies in Mendham.
I'm Ted Goldberg, NJ Spotlight News.
Drug deaths decline sharply in NJ
Video has Closed Captions
Experts point to Narcan, treatment and other responses as reason overdose deaths are declining (6m 14s)
More than 200,000 electric and plug-in cars now on NJ roads
Video has Closed Captions
That’s double the number of EVs registered in the state at the end of 2020 (59s)
NJ groups work to increase voter turnout
Video has Closed Captions
Faith, labor and community organizations back Million Voters Project (4m 35s)
Syrians in NJ celebrate end of Assad’s rule
Video has Closed Captions
There’s a spirit of hope despite uncertainty about Syria’s future (5m 13s)
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipSupport for PBS provided by:
NJ Spotlight News is a local public television program presented by THIRTEEN PBS