WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Representative Donald Norcross (NJ-01) released the following statement on the suspicious drone activity in New Jersey.

“Recently, my office has received many calls regarding suspicious drone activity in New Jersey. While most of these drones have been reported in the northern part of the state, I understand that my constituents are worried and must be informed about all matters concerning public safety.

“As someone who has served on the House Armed Services Committee for over a decade, I receive regular briefings on potential threats in the U.S. and abroad. Given this experience, I'm reassured to see the increase in no-fly zones and specialized drone detection equipment aiming to keep drones away from sensitive facilities. Additionally, these facilities do not appear to have been inundated with many more sightings than other areas of the state in recent weeks.

“At this point in time, the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, and the FBI are reporting that the drone sightings are a combination of lawful hobbyist and law enforcement drones, as well as private and commercial aircraft. To protect everyone's safety, I want to discourage private citizens from independently attempting to shoot down or destroy these drones, as doing so could be extremely dangerous. 

“These sightings have made it clear that our laws have not caught up with modern-day technology. There are approximately one million drones registered with the FAA, and it's important that we create updated laws to respond to suspicious drone activity effectively. Finally, to all my constituents, I hear your concerns and will continue working swiftly to address them. Your safety will always be my top priority in Congress.”

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