Authorities are investigating unusual drone activity that has been spotted several times in northern New Jersey in recent days, including the area around President-elect Trump’s golf club in Bedminstercontinue to emphasize that there is no threat to public safety.
Multiple videos show drones flying in Somerset and Morris counties in recent weeks, including December 1 and 3. In a video from Nov. 25, Morris County resident Mike Walsh saw drones flying overhead Black River High School in Chester.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed Tuesday that it has issued two flight restrictions, including the airspace above Trump Bedminster.
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The entrance to the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster Township, New Jersey. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
The FAA first received reports of this on November 18 drone activity within Morris County, whose border is approximately two miles north of Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in Somerset County.
On Wednesday, Morris and Somerset County law enforcement officials released a joint statement acknowledging the sightings.
“There remains no known threat to public safety,” the statement read.
“Provincial and local law enforcement agencies are aware of the recurring reports of drone activity around Morris and Somerset counties, and recognize the public’s concerns about these repeated sightings.”
“The County Prosecutor’s, Sheriff’s and Emergency Management Offices, our respective municipal police departments, working closely with the FBI-Newark, New Jersey State Police and New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness partners, are seeking to reassure the public state that we will continue to monitor and investigate drone activity.”
They say the FBI-Newark and New Jersey State Police are asking the public to report any information regarding the recent sightings of possible drones.
Officials in Warren County issued a similar joint statement and they are also seeking the public’s help in documenting drone sightings in Warren County, especially those involving critical infrastructure.
The drone was spotted over North Jersey on Tuesday. (Nicholas Lordi)
“The Warren County Prosecutor’s Office and local law enforcement agencies are aware of the recent sightings of drone activity in Warren County. We would like to acknowledge the public’s concerns and advise that there is no known threat to public safety at this time,” Warren said. County Attorney Jessica Cardone said in the statement along with Acting Chief of Detectives Brenton Warne, the Warren County Police Chiefs Association and the Warren County Office of Emergency Management.
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The FAA has issued two temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) at the request of “federal safety partners” amid several reports of drone sightings in Central Jersey.
One restriction affects an area near Solberg-Hunterdon County Airport that consists of the airspace above Trump Bedminster. Flights have also been banned over Picatinny Arsenal, a major US military hub in Dover, New Jersey, which focuses on research and development through its weapons center.
The ban on Trump Bedminster remains in place for the rest of this week and on Picatinny Arsenal until December 26.
“Safely integrating drones into the National Airspace System is a top priority for the FAA,” the agency said in a statement Tuesday. The agency says they have not released any updates since then.
“We investigate all reports of unauthorized drone operations and conduct investigations as appropriate,” the agency said, adding that drone pilots who endanger aircraft or people could have their certification revoked and/or be fined $75,000.
Local media reported that law enforcement also investigated ongoing drone activity in the area.
The sightings come as President-elect Trump continues to fill his new administration. (Allison Robbert/Pool via AP, File)
Sightings have also occurred a few miles north of Bedminster Mendham and Parsippanywhere I-80 and I-287 meet.
A Parsippany woman told the Morristown Record she saw as many as five drones overhead Sunday evening.
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The drone sightings in New Jersey come as unidentified drones have been seen flying over British-American joint bases in the United Kingdom.
“Swarms of little drones” have been seen over Royal Air Force (RAF) Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, RAF Fairford and RAF Feltwell in England. Some of those bases house F-15 and F-35 fighter jets.
The British military sent dozens of personnel to protect the bases, and a Pentagon spokesman said on November 26 that none of the raids had affected the base’s buildings, staff or assets.
Fox News’ Jennifer Griffin, Liz Friden, Charles Creitz, Andrea Margolis and Bradford Betz contributed to this report.
