Timeline of NJ, NY drone sightings

Unexplained drone sightings over parts of New Jersey in recent weeks have stirred speculation, raised concerns, and left many questioning their origin and purpose.

Dozens of witnesses reported seeing the drones in New Jersey beginning in November.At first, they were spotted flying along the Raritan River, but soon sightings were reported statewide, including near the Picatinny Arsenal and over President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster. The aircraft were also recently spotted in coastal areas.

FOX 5 NY takes a look back at when drones were first spotted and where we stand now:

Drone spotting began (Nov. 18)

• The Asbury Park Press reported witnesses began spotting several large drones in New Jersey.
• The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office in New Jersey says their law enforcement patrolmen spotted the drones.

Temporary flight restrictions issued by FAA (Nov. 22)

• The FAA issued the first of a pair of temporary flight restrictions—banning drones over the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey.
• It was effective through Dec. 6.

FAA issues flight restrictions in Morris County (Nov. 25)

• The FAA issued temporary flight restrictions over the Picatinny Arsenal Military Base in Morris County, through Dec. 26.

Drone sighting diverts helicopter rescue near NJ college (Nov. 26)

• A school spokesperson at Raritan Valley Community College in New Jersey said a drone spotting prevented a helicopter from picking up a victim injured in a car crash near campus.

Morris County resident spots drones near Boonton Reservoir (Dec. 1)

• A resident in Morris County spotted five drones in her neighborhood near the Boonton Reservoir.

Morris County resident spots more drones (Dec. 2)

• The same resident in Morris County spotted four more drones moving around in different directions.

Drone sightings posed ‘no threat to public safety’ (Dec. 3)

• The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office in New Jersey reported drone sightings posed “no known threat to public safety.”
• The FBI asked the public to report any information regarding drone sightings along the Raritan River.

Cory Booker urges more information (Dec. 10)

• Democratic Jersey Senator Cory Booker urged the feds to share more information about drone sightings to calm the fears of residents.
• There were also possible drone sightings on both sides of the Delaware River.

NJ congressman claims drones are being sent by Iran (Dec. 11)

• New Jersey congressman Van Drew claimed that drones that keep popping up above the Garden State are being sent by Iran. However, the Pentagon denied those claims.
• There was a closed-door briefing about drones at State Police headquarters.

Former Maryland governor spots drones (Dec. 12)

• Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan spotted large drones above his house in Maryland.
• White House officials said that many purported sightings of drones are actually lawfully operated manned aircraft.

NJ residents report drone crash, NJ gov. asks for help (Dec. 13)

• 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. Residents said they saw a drone crashed into a field and struck a power line near Route 206, but one day later, emergency responders couldn’t find evidence of a crash happening. Read more here.
• Democrat New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy wrote a letter to Biden asking for more resources on behalf of the state –saying existing laws limit taking action against unmanned aircraft systems to the federal government.

Adams addresses drone concerns, Trump reacts (Dec. 14)

• NYC Mayor Eric Adams acknowledged concerns over drone sightings.
• President-elect Donald Trump posted on Truth social calling for authorities to shoot down the mysterious drones seen over New Jersey and Staten Island.

Hochul announces drone detection system (Dec. 15)

• New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that the federal government is deploying a drone detection system to the state to aid in investigations into recent drone sightings.

Trump comments on NJ drone mystery (Dec. 16)

• Two people said they spotted an aircraft Thursday night near Virginia Beach that was unlike any other they’ve seen.
• President-elect Donald Trump weighed in on the New Jersey drone mystery at a press conference, saying “the government knows what’s happening.”

• The FBI also warned NJ residents not to shoot or point lasers at drones.

Mayor links drone sightings to missing radioactive material (Dec. 17)

• Belleville, New Jersey, Mayor Michael Melham suggested that drone sightings might be connected to missing radioactive material during a Dec. 17 Good Day New York interview. “We know we have drones flying in a grid-like pattern. In my opinion, they’re looking for something. What might they be looking for? Maybe that’s radioactive material,” Melham said.

FAA prohibits drone flights over parts of NJ (Dec. 19)

• The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has banned drone flights in certain areas in New Jersey after numerous mysterious drones have been spotted, raising questions and concerns about their origin and purpose. To see the full list of NJ cities that have been banned, read more here.
• At this time, the restrictions will remain in effect through Jan. 17.