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the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Mendham NJ, a growing wave of mysterious drone sightings in North Jersey has left residents and local leaders searching for answers. In response, a coalition of 19 mayors and elected officials from Morris County is demanding immediate action from state and federal authorities.
The group recently sent a strongly worded letter to agencies including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), New Jersey State Police, and local law enforcement, accusing them of taking a “reactive instead of proactive approach” to the situation.
A Widespread Issue in North Jersey
The drone sightings began just before Thanksgiving in Morris County and have since expanded to other areas, including Sussex, Somerset, and Warren counties. These incidents have sparked public concern, with residents sharing photos and theories on social media about the drones’ origin and purpose.
Governor Murphy Responds
Governor Phil Murphy acknowledged the growing anxiety surrounding the sightings and convened a briefing with DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, state officials, and New Jersey’s congressional delegation.
“We are actively monitoring the situation and are in close coordination with our federal and law enforcement partners on this matter,” Murphy stated on X (formerly Twitter). He reassured the public that there is no indication of a threat to public safety.
Despite these assurances, local leaders remain dissatisfied.
Mayors Demand Action
The letter from the mayors expressed frustration at the lack of progress in identifying the drones or their operators.
“Either higher-level officials know what’s going on and are not concerned, or they are negligent for not apprehending and identifying one of these drones,” the officials wrote.
The mayors are calling for a proactive investigation, emphasizing that drones must land somewhere and should be traced back to their operators.
Public Concerns and Misidentified Objects
While residents have reported numerous sightings, officials warn that some may be misidentified objects or even hoaxes. Nonetheless, the uncertainty is unsettling for many.
“The limbo of no action is unacceptable,” the letter reads. “We demand answers or swift action to provide clarity for New Jersey residents.”
Signatories of the Letter
The call for action was signed by a diverse group of mayors and officials from across Morris County, including:
- Mayor Sam Morris (Mine Hill)
- Mayor Ace Gallagher (Hanover)
- Mayor Christine Glassner (Mendham)
- Mayor Jamie Barberio (Parsippany)
- Councilman Jim Rilee (Roxbury)
- And many others.
Next Steps for Residents
State agencies, including the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, encourage residents to report drone sightings to local authorities.
As the mystery continues, residents and officials alike are pressing for answers. Whether these sightings are linked to harmless activity or something more concerning, the lack of transparency has left communities on edge.
Some say it’s the New Jersey drone club, makes sense
i think its aliens and your gonna be probed
Good, with talking to local police, they know all about it, the FBI exactly know what’s going on, but they’re not telling local police