Drone sightings over Staten Island
Staten Island officials are raising concerns over recent drone sightings, calling on the NYPD and federal agencies to investigate.
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 are the top headlines so far from Friday:
No drone found: Officials
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.’”
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.
