[As pressure mounts on federal officials to address ongoing concerns about possible drone sightings, East Coast residents, especially in New Jersey, remain on edge, with similar reports now emerging in Ohio, including a temporary airspace closure over a vital military base.
Federal officials have so far downplayed many of the reported sightings, saying they are likely small airplanes or other manned aircraft. However, they have expressed concern about the sightings seen across at least six states – with Ohio potentially becoming the seventh to report unexplained drone activity.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said federal officials are not aware of direct national security concerns tied to the possible drone sightings. He added that they are investigating the matter and have not seen anything unusual or threatening.
The recent surge in drone sightings over sensitive military installations has prompted federal authorities to take action. A man has been arrested for allegedly violating airspace regulations related to a key military base, and a “state-of-the-art drone detection system” is being deployed to New York state.
New Jersey residents, however, remain frustrated with the lack of information from federal authorities. Republican Assemblyman Erik Peterson accused federal officials of dishonesty, while Rep. Josh Gottheimer expressed frustration over the lack of answers to questions about the drone sightings.
The FBI and DHS believe most of the drone sightings are cases of “mistaken identity,” with members of the public misidentifying small, legally-operated manned aircraft for drones. However, some officials are concerned about the reports, and the FBI is investigating the sightings.
Reports of drone activity have been emerging in several states, including New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and now Ohio. The reports in the Northeast began November 18 near Morris County, New Jersey, and have been ongoing since then.
Despite the reports, some are doubting that anything serious is going on. A military veteran told CNN that federal authorities would be taking more action if the sightings were a legitimate threat.
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