The Federal Aviation Administration has banned drone operations in several areas of New Jersey until January 17, unless operators obtain special permission from the government for “special security reasons.”
Unmanned aerial drones have been lighting up the skies at night in New Jersey and neighboring states for weeks, since around mid-November, sparking concern among residents and speculation online. Some had demanded answers from local and state officials.
This photo provided by Brian Glenn shows what appears to be several drones flying over Bernardsville, New Jersey on Thursday, December 5, 2024.
Brian Glenn/TMX via AP, file
The temporary flight restrictions, expected to last until January 17, were implemented starting Wednesday in the following locations: Hamilton, Bridgewater, Cedar Grove, North Brunswick, Metuchen, Evesham, Camden, Gloucester City, Westampton, South Brunswick, Edison. , Branchburg, Sewaren, Jersey City, Harrison, Elizabeth, Bayonne, Winslow, Burlington, Clifton, Hancocks Bridge and Kearny.
The restrictions state that no unmanned aircraft system may operate within nautical miles of the airspace specified in each Notice to Airmen, or NOTAM, including from the ground up to 400 feet. Recreational drones are allowed to operate up to 400 feet, according to FAA rules.
Temporary flight restrictions previously issued for Bedminster and Picatinny Arsenal remain in effect.
The government could use “deadly force” against drones if they pose an “imminent security threat,” the NOTAM says.
Pilots who violate these restrictions could be “intercepted, detained and questioned by law enforcement and security personnel.” The FAA said it could also take administrative action, including imposing civil penalties and suspending or revoking operators’ certificates, as well as filing criminal charges.
In this image taken from video, what appear to be drones flying over Randolph, NJ on December 4, 2024.
P.A.
The ban follows Sunday’s press conference in which an FAA official said there were “without a doubt” drones flying over New Jersey, highlighting the fact that nearly a million drones are registered in the United States.
The FBI has received more than 5,000 tips in recent weeks regarding drone sightings in New Jersey and other states, said a multi-agency statement released Monday by the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, the FAA and the Department of Defense.
“After closely reviewing technical data and advice from concerned citizens, we believe the sightings to date include a combination of legal commercial drones, hobbyist drones and law enforcement drones, as well as aircraft manned, helicopters and stars mistakenly reported as drones,” the joint statement said.
