Strange drone sightings have been reported all over New Jersey in the past few weeks.
These sightings have been happening in many places, including Sussex, Bergen, and Somerset counties, and no one knows where these drones are coming from or why they’re flying around.
On December 12, 2024, at 8:34 PM, Hillsborough police received a report of a drone that supposedly hit power lines near the Lowe’s store on Route 206 and crashed into a field.
It led to a large-scale search involving local police, the Hillsborough Office of Emergency Management, Somerset County Office of Emergency Management, Hillsborough Volunteer Fire Company 38, Millstone Valley Fire Department, Robert Wood Johnson EMS, and the State Police Aviation Unit.
Teams searched on foot and used drones to check the area for hours, but no signs of a drone or crash were found.
The search resumed the following day at 7:30 AM, with hazmat teams and the Millstone Valley Fire Department deploying drones for another sweep.
🚨 JUST IN: A MASSIVE search effort is underway in Hillsborough, NJ after a “possible drone landing,” per CBS New York
Multiple agencies—including hazmat teams—are on scene, and the FBI has now gotten involved.
Crews are doing a “wide area search” on foot and four-wheelers, but… pic.twitter.com/pjrVdvfPFR
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) December 13, 2024
By 12:10 PM, the search was called off after finding nothing.
From ‘See Something, Say Something’ to ‘See Something, Don’t Worry About It’—officials admit they don’t know what’s flying over New Jersey. A chilling shift in tone emerges after a mysterious drone reportedly went down in Hillsboro, New Jersey pic.twitter.com/afCByqF4cd
— April Color (@ColorApril) December 13, 2024
Authorities reassured the public that there was no immediate danger but encouraged anyone with information to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).
Nonetheless, this wasn’t the only incident involving drones.
At Naval Weapons Station Earle in Colts Neck, several drones were reported flying into restricted airspace, raising security concerns.
On Staten Island, officials held a press conference urging the NYPD to investigate reports of drones in the area.
Meanwhile, Hillsborough residents shared their concerns, with some saying they had seen drones flying near their homes or heard strange noises they couldn’t explain.
Governor Phil Murphy and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas briefed Congress about the sightings and pushed for more answers.
However, federal officials, including White House National Security Spokesman John Kirby, stated that many of these sightings might actually be regular planes or helicopters.
They also said no drones had entered restricted airspace or posed a danger to the public.
Some reports turned out to be untrue.
For example, in Parsippany-Troy Hills, a rumor spread online that a drone caused power lines to fall in a fiery crash, but it was later confirmed to be a car accident.
Despite false reports, real drone sightings continue to leave people puzzled.
Sightings have occurred near critical sites such as power plants, highways, and even President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster.
That said, the state has taken these incidents seriously.
The New Jersey Division of Fire Safety told first responders to treat drones like potential bombs if they find one on the ground, which shows the level of caution authorities are on.
So far, no drones have been recovered, and there’s no evidence linking them to a foreign threat or any planned attack.
But naturally, the sightings have raised concerns, especially when drones are spotted near sensitive locations like the Picatinny Arsenal.
Even local representatives like Andy Kim witnessed strange lights, believed to be drones, while riding along with police near the Round Valley Reservoir.
Residents are being asked to stay alert and report anything unusual.
While federal and local investigations continue, the mysterious drones in New Jersey remain a mystery, and people remain guessing about what’s really happening in the skies above.