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The FBI’s Newark field office urged New Jersey residents this week not to shoot down drones or point lasers at manned aircraft, taking to social media to warn of the dangerous, and potentially deadly, activity. which comes amid an increase in drone sightings. the east coast of the USA.
Drone sightings have sparked a collective sense of panic among residents, who have taken to social media to share photos and videos of suspected drones captured in the dark skies of the United States. The shared sense of fear-mongering has also prompted some vigilante-like responses, with some social media users documenting efforts to take matters into their own hands, including using a laser beam.
In the statement, published by the FBI and New Jersey State Police, authorities specifically warned against such activities, citing an increase in drone pilots in the area who have been hit in the eye with lasers after being mistaken for a drone by someone on the ground
‘DRONE’ SIGHTINGS IN THE NORTH-EAST SPIRIT ‘UNDERFUSED’ PANIC, SAYS EXPERT
New Jersey State Rep. Paul Kanitra took a photo of what appears to be multiple drones hovering in the skies over New Jersey on Thursday, December 13th. (Paul Kanitra / “Fox News @ Night”)
Officials said there is also concern that people on the ground could also mistakenly fire weapons at what they believe is an unmanned aircraft system, or UAS, but is actually a manned aircraft.
“FBI Newark, NJSP and dozens of other agencies and law enforcement partners have been out every night for several weeks to legally track down operators who are acting illegally or with nefarious intent and using all the tools and equipment available to find the answers the public is looking for,” authorities said in the statement. “However, there could be dangerous and possibly fatal consequences if manned aircraft are mistakenly targeted as UAS.”
They also noted how easy it can be for a person on the ground to mistake a manned aircraft for a UAS.
“Misidentification often occurs when UAS are mistaken for more familiar objects such as manned aircraft, low-orbit satellites, or celestial bodies such as planets or stars,” they said.
“To improve accuracy and prevent false sightings, a variety of tools and techniques can be used to assist with the visual identification of UAS suspects. Accurate identification is critical to maintaining safety and ensuring appropriate responses to UAS activity. UAS”.
Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., called for FISA reforms. (Select Committee of the Chamber of Economic Disparity and Justice in Growth)
The statement from the FBI field office and state police comes as New Jersey residents and lawmakers have expressed frustration over the increase in drone sightings and what they see as a lack of response from the federal government. given in response
Still, US officials have been keen to emphasize that the plane in question is not, in fact, a threat to national security. Brigadier General Patrick S. Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, stressed to reporters during a briefing Tuesday that drones are any kind of government asset and dismissed the idea that they are part of the “experimental program” that is testing the US
In a joint statement on Monday, the Department of National SecurityThe FBI, Federal Aviation Administration and Defense Department said that while they “recognize the concern” of the general public, there is no evidence that drones are “anomalous” or a threat to the public safety or for the national security of the United States. .
Separately, senior officials from the CIA, FBI and DOD traveled to Capitol Hill Tuesday afternoon to brief lawmakers on the House Intelligence Committee about the increase in drone sightings.
A social media user said he filmed several drones hovering over Fairfield, Connecticut on Thursday night. (Lucy Biggers)
It is not clear, however, how far these efforts have gone in thwarting rising public concerns.
The FBI said Monday it has received more than 5,000 reports of alleged drone sightings in the past “few weeks,” reflecting heightened panic among some residents, including many who have taken to social media to document the their sightings on social networks.
Connecticut Rep. Jim Himes, R-Conn., used an interview on “Fox News Sunday” to call on more federal agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration, to share more information about drone sightings with the public .
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“The FAA in particularwhich is the jurisdictional agency for the national skies, should come out on Saturday morning saying, “We’re going to show you a picture of the number of aircraft, commercial, private and military, that pass through New Jersey in any 24-hour period “. ‘” Himes said.
“Just putting information to fill that gap would be helpful,” he added.
