Drones latest: New Jersey airspace closes to drones as officials try to slow number of sightings
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New Jersey’s airspace has been temporarily closed to drones for “special security reasons,” as authorities have worked to slow the number of sightings across the eastern US.
Dozens of areas were affected by the restrictions imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration. Many were located near local airports, including Teterboro and Trenton-Robbinsville, News 12 New Jersey reported.
The bans are in addition to others that went into effect after the first drone sighting in November, and come amid efforts to quell fears regarding their presence.
Drones have also been spotted in Texas, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Massachusetts, California and Florida.
Lawmakers took to the news and social media to voice their concerns and what they said was a lack of communication from the federal government.
House Speaker Mike Johnson suggested on Wednesday that the Biden administration had brushed off concerns. Democrats have had similar reactions.
“This is why we need Donald J. Trump back in the White House, to bring a steady hand to the wheel and a strong commander-in-chief. He would have already had the answers,” he told Fox and Friends.
A bill that would allow law enforcement agencies to track aerial drones was blocked Wednesday night.
‘It’s all bullsh**’: Moderator of drone subreddit quits over deluge of conspiracy theories about New Jersey sightings
Julia Musto20 December 2024 07:00
Here’s where drones are temporarily banned
Temporary flying restriction areas are in parts within the city of Camden, according to WPVI.
They’re also in Gloucester City, Winslow Township, Evesham, Hancock’s Bridge in Lower Alloways Township in Salem County, Westampton, Burlington and Hamilton in Mercer County. Flying drones are also banned in Bridgewater, Cedar Grove, North Brunswick, Metuchen, Westampton, South Brunswick, Edison, Branchburg, Sewaren, Jersey City, Harrison, Elizabeth, Bayonne, Clifton and Kearny.
Julia Musto20 December 2024 06:01
National Sheriffs’ Association calls for more transparency, coordination on drones
Julia Musto20 December 2024 05:02
DHS says FAA restrictions ordered out of ‘an abundance of caution’
“We continue to assess there is no public safety threat relating to the reported drone sightings,” the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement provided to ABC News.
“In coordination with the FAA and our critical infrastructure partners who requested temporary flight restrictions over their facilities, out of an abundance of caution, the FAA has issued temporary flight restrictions over some critical infrastructure facilities in New Jersey.”
Julia Musto20 December 2024 04:00
The Federal Aviation Administration explains decision on drone restrictions
“At the request of federal security partners, the FAA published 22 Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) prohibiting drone flights over critical New Jersey infrastructure,” the The Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement reported by ABC News.
Julia Musto20 December 2024 03:15
Drone expert talks about why not to shoot at possible drones
“Not only is it against the law, it’s incredibly dangerous. if you’re shooting at something in the sky that you’re not sure what it is, it could be a drone, sure. It could also be manned aircraft,” Vic Moss, CEO & Co-Founder of Drone Service Providers Alliance, told LiveNOW from FOX.
Julia Musto20 December 2024 02:30
New Jersey drone behavior ‘not normal for aircraft,’ sergeant says
“We had something coming at us. And, as it’s coming at us, it stops. It does like a 180 in the air, and the drives away. And, it comes back and does like a giant ‘U’ around us,” Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Kevin Fennessy told CBS New York.
“So, that’s not normal for aircraft,” he noted.
Julia Musto20 December 2024 01:46
New Jersey congressman says drones don’t seem to be targeting South Jersey’s sensitive facilities
New Jersey Rep. Donald Norcross said Thursday that drones flyin over his state don’t appear to be targeting sensitive or critical facilities in South Jersey.
“I’m reassured to see the increase in no-fly zones and specialized drone detection equipment aiming to keep drones away from sensitive facilities,” Norcross said in a statement. “Additionally, these facilities do not appear to have been inundated with many more sightings than other areas of the state in recent weeks.”
Julia Musto20 December 2024 01:01
New York police say they can shoot drones out of the sky: ‘We don’t want to wait until we have some kind of disastrous event’
New York police say that they have the OK to shoot any troublesome drones out of the sky.
“We don’t want to wait until we have some kind of disastrous event to then say, ‘Well, we could have done this and we could have done that,’” Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman told reporters.
Julia Musto20 December 2024 00:15