By Steve Neavling
Federal officials have downplayed concerns over thousands of recent drone sightings reported across Northeastern states, saying the activity poses no threat to national security or public safety.
In a joint statement issued late Monday, the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, Federal Aviation Administration, and Department of Defense said they have found “nothing anomalous” after weeks of investigation, ABC News reports.
The FBI has logged over 5,000 tips regarding drones in New Jersey and nearby states since mid-November. While most reports sparked unease among residents and fueled online speculation, the agencies have identified about 100 actionable leads. Federal investigators have been collaborating with state and local authorities to track down any operators who may be acting unlawfully.
“Having closely examined the technical data and tips from concerned citizens, we assess that the sightings to date include a combination of lawful commercial drones, hobbyist drones, and law enforcement drones, as well as manned fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and stars mistakenly reported as drones,” the statement read.
The mysterious drones lighting up the night skies have prompted heightened scrutiny. In response, federal officials deployed infrared cameras and advanced drone detection tools to assess potential risks in the New Jersey and New York region. A law enforcement source indicated that the majority of images and videos submitted by the public showed manned aircraft, not drones.
While officials maintain that the sightings do not pose a risk, they acknowledged public concern. “That said, we recognize the concern among many communities,” the joint statement added. “We continue to support state and local authorities with advanced detection technology and support of law enforcement.”
During a briefing Tuesday, Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder confirmed that the drones are not linked to the Department of Defense. When asked if the activity could be part of an experimental program, Ryder replied, “To my knowledge, no.”
Members of the House Intelligence Committee attended a classified briefing on the matter and reiterated federal findings.
“Government officials insisted most of the activity is ‘manned aircraft,’” Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., told reporters. However, the question of who owns or operates the drones remains unanswered.
“We have no idea who owns these drones, assuming these drones are, in fact, drones,” said Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., the committee’s ranking member. “Again, everybody who studied this has arrived at the conclusion that most of these sightings are commercial aircraft.”
