"The State of New Jersey should issue a limited state of emergency banning all drones until the public receives an explanation regarding these multiple sightings," State Sen. Jon Bramnick, a centrist Republican and candidate for governor, wrote Tuesday in a statement.
Recently, multiple spottings of drones of a mysterious origin have been seen in at least eight of New Jersey's 21 counties in the central and northern parts of the state going as far back as the week before Thanksgiving.
Multiple state and federal agencies are involved with none able to explain the occurrences. Meanwhile, the Federal Aviation Administration has since placed restrictions on drone flights while authorities investigate.
The unexplained flying objects notably are larger than the type used typically by hobbyists and have raised a number of security concerns over its proximity to military outfits and the Bedminster golf course of President-elect Donald Trump.
Since Nov. 13, the military research facility Picatinny Arsenal in Morris County reported at least 11 confirmed sightings by either a police officer or other security official.
According to the FBI, federal officials are "doing all we can figure out what's going on."
"While the source and cause of these aircraft operating in our area remain unknown, we can confirm that they are not the result of any Picatinny Arsenal-related activities," Lt. Col. Craig Bonham II, the Picatinny Arsenal's garrison commander, wrote Tuesday in a statement.
The FBI advised that the public can continue to call its 800 line or submit a tip online. "We are acting on every substantive lead that we get," a spokesperson told ABC News.
The U.S. government has taken a few steps over the years in a slow and shy admission over the existence of what it has re-branded as "unidentified anomalous phenomena," or UAP, going so far as to appoint in 2023 a director to oversee UAP activity at NASA. More than 700 UFO reports were made in the last year, according to a recent report by the Pentagon and the Director of National Intelligence.
On Thursday, Gov. Phil Murphy posted on social media that he met with U.S. Homeland Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and his staff, state police officials and the state's congressional delegation to discuss the reported "drone activity."
"We are actively monitoring the situation and in close coordination with our federal and law enforcement partners on this matter," Murphy wrote, adding there is no known threat to the public.
On Monday a letter signed by 21 mayors was sent to the two-term Democratic governor demanding action, saying that, despite inquiries, "we have yet to receive satisfactory answers about the purpose, operators, or safety protocols governing these flights."
That night, Belleville Mayor Michael Melham posted on Facebook indicating a briefing will be held Wednesday on the drone activity with New Jersey's state police and the state's Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness.
"While the benefits of drone technology are widely recognized when used responsibly and transparently, the lack of information and clarity regarding these operations has caused fear and frustration among our constituents," the group of mayors wrote in part while also calling for "clear communication" over the ongoing investigation.
This stands in stark contrast when in 2021 residents in Paterson spotted a series of mysterious lights in the night sky with at least one expert who said they may have been drones practicing for a light show.
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