A Look Back at the NJ 'Drone Craze' a year later
By Kyle Morel
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey
..... A year has already pass ed since reports of drones flying through North Jersey skies began to circulate, sparking a nationwide media frenzy and numerous theories on a topic that still leaves many questions today. [[11/14/2025]
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The first recored sighting of "unusual drone activity" came from the Picatinny Arsenal military research center in Morris County on November 12, 2024. Days later, county authorities acknowledged the alleged sightings but stated there was no known threat to the public.
..... The rumors would intensify over the next several weeks, as local,, state and federal officials demanded answers. The public was eager to know the source of the mysterious objects lighting up the night sky, including whether they were, in fact, drones
..... Here is a timeline of the bizarre saga, documented as it unfolded by NorthJersey.com staff.
..... November 13, 2024: An unidentified object purported to be a drone is seen for the first time, through it does not immediately draw attention.
..... A news lease from Picatinny Arsenal in early December [2024] notes that the facility recorded 11 confirmed sightings since November 13, along with seven other reports that were either unconfirmed or turned out to be airplanes.
..... "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," said Lieutenant Cornall Craig Bonham II.
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November 18, 2024: The Morris County Prosecutor's Office, in response to phosphates sand videos circulating on social media, confirms in a press release that officers observed alleged drone activity while on patrol the previous night. The release notes that several law enforcement agencies are aware of he reports and "will continue to coordinate, monitor and in investigate" the activity.
..... November 26, 2024: The FBI joins the list of organizations investigating the rumored sightings, as Amy Thoreson, pubic affairs specialist with the agency's Newark Office, confirms htat the FBI is "working with our stwate and local partners on the reproted drone activity."
..... December 5, 2025: Governor Phil Murphy reports that he convened a briefing earlier in the week with the secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to discuss the drone issue. Other DHS officials took part in the meeting, along with the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, State Police and members of the state's congressional delegation.
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"We are actively monitoring the situation and are in close coordination with our federal and law enforcement partners on this matter,: Murphy said in a statement on X.
..... December 6-8, 2024: New Jersey politicians write three separate letters urging further action form state leaders in response to the alleged drone activity
.... Senator Doug Steinhardt sends a letter to Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and Senate President Nicholas Scutari, requesting a bipartisan panel to discuss the situation. assemblymen John DiMaio and Erik Peterson, as well as 19 North Jersey elected officials, write to Murphy and ask him to address the public's growing concerns and share what he and other leader know.
..... "It's hard to believe that agencies like what he and other leaders know.
..... "It's hard to believe that agencies like the FBI, FAA, Homeland Security, New Jersey State police and yourself are unaware of what's Peterson's letter. "If they do know , that information must be shared."
..... December 10, 2024: An FBI official questioned by members of congress during a hearing in Washington, D.C., says the bureau has not identified who may be responsible for the alleged drone sightings.
..... Robert Wheeler Jr., assistant director of the Critical Incident Response Group for the FBI, could not answer for certain when asked whether there is a threat to public safety because of the reported activity.
..... "There's nothing that is known that would lead me to say that," Wheeler said. "But we just don't know. and that's the concerning part of it."
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* December 12, 2024: White House national security miscommunications advisor John Kirby says in a press briefing that there is no evidence the reported drone sightings posed a threat to national security or public safety.
..... "To the contrary, upon review of available imagery, it appeared that many of the reported sightings are actually maned aircraft that are being operated lawfully," said Kirby.
..... * January, 2025: One week after President Donald Trump took office and pledged to look into the drone mystery, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt tells reporters that the drones purportedly flying over New Jersey were authorized by the FAA "for research and various other reasons."
..... Many of these drones were also hobbyists, recreational and private individuals that enjoy flying drones," Leavitt said. "In time it got worse due to curiosity. this was not the enemy."