Recent reports of unexplained drone activity in Connecticut and New Jersey have sparked public concern and prompted investigations by federal and local authorities.
Sightings of drones in suburban areas, near airports and in densely populated regions have raised questions about their origin, potential security risks and the possibility of malicious intent.
In Connecticut, multiple drones were reportedly spotted on the evening of Thursday, Dec. 12, above the Fairfield train station, located approximately 55 miles northeast of New York City. Social media posts included videos of the drones, with one user claiming to have seen at least five drones flying at different altitudes. (Related: Mysterious drones swarmed a U.S. airbase for 17 days; officials say they don't know who operated them.)
The user noted that the drones appeared to be flying unusually far and quietly, raising doubts about their being hobbyist drones.
Another user observed the drones between 5:30 and 6 p.m., describing them as "definitely not planes." Similar sightings were reported in Enfield, near Bradley International Airport.
Connecticut State Police are investigating the drone activity, and the state’s emergency services unit has deployed a drone detection system in the New London area in response to the reports.
In New Jersey, drone sightings have been reported for over three weeks, with as many as 180 sightings per night in some areas. The drones have been observed near Staten Island, New York, and in the greater Philadelphia area.
Despite the frequency of sightings, the Department of Defense has not disclosed the source of the drones, though it has denied claims that they were launched from an Iranian "mothership" off the East Coast.
"There is no Iranian ship off the coast of the United States, and there's no so-called ‘mothership’ launching drones toward the United States," said Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh in a statement.
White House National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby has also weighed in, stating that many of the reported drone sightings in New Jersey are likely lawfully operated manned aircraft rather than drones.
"We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or a public safety threat or have a foreign nexus," Kirby said during a press briefing.
Both the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation have stated that investigations into the sightings are ongoing, noting that, historically, mistaken identity is what has led to reports of drones being identified as manned aircraft or other objects.
The Federal Aviation Administration has refused to comment on the sightings. The agency has previously stated that there have been no confirmed sightings of drones flying over restricted airspace.
Local law enforcement agencies in both states are working with federal partners to monitor the situation and determine the nature of the drone activity.
Sgt. Michael Stahl of the police department of Fairfield, Connecticut, issued a statement for the department acknowledging the reports regarding the drones and assuring the public that the department is "monitoring the situation and is in communication with state and federal law enforcement partners."
Watch this episode of "The Resistance Chicks" as they discuss the mystery drones spotted all over the country.
This video is from the Resistance Chicks channel on Brighteon.com.
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