this Federal Aviation Administration The United States has issued temporary flight restrictions banning drones from flying over parts of New Jersey after a spate of sightings in recent weeks.
The notice, which expires on January 17, 2025, says drone operations supporting national defense, homeland security, law enforcement, firefighting, search and rescue or disaster relief missions are not included in the restrictions.
Commercial drone operations may be conducted with a valid statement of work, but must have an approved special government interest airspace exemption and must comply with all applicable FAA regulations.
Rand Paul blocks bill targeting drone sightings: No rush to grant 'blanket surveillance powers'
Map showing drone density in Monmouth County, New Jersey. (Courtesy Monmouth County Sheriff's Office)
House Speaker Mike Johnson, Republican of Louisiana, said White House, More broadly, the U.S. government appears unconcerned about the increase in sightings in New Jersey and other northeastern states.
"Listen, I'm the speaker of the House. I share the same frustrations that you and all of us share. We don't have the answers. The government doesn't provide the answers," Johnson told Fox News.
The spokesman said he held a meeting last week with officials from the Defense Department, Department of Homeland Security and the FBI but "has yet to receive a response."
One social media user said she filmed several drones circling over Fairfield, Connecticut, on Thursday, December 12. (Lucy Biggs)
Saturday, Biden administration Officials hosted a conference call to address concerns about recent drone sightings.
Representatives from the FBI, FAA, National Security Council, Department of Homeland Security and Department of Defense attended the call.
An FBI official said the agency has received 5,000 tips since the first mysterious drone was spotted over New Jersey in November, but of those 5,000 tips, fewer than 100 required investigation. Investigate further.
Photos taken in the Toms River Bayside area on Sunday, December 8, 2024, show what appears to be a large drone hovering at high altitude in New Jersey. (Doug Hood/Asbury Park Press)
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this FBI officer It added that despite the recent increase in drone activity, investigators have not found evidence of large-scale drone activity.
"We're doing our best to find the specific ... origins of those drone activities," the official said. "But I think the response was a little over the top."
Fox News Digital’s Danielle Wallace and Audrey Conklin contributed to this report.