Danger in the skies: FBI warns against shooting down drones amid NJ panic

• The FBI and New Jersey State Police warn residents against shooting down drones or pointing lasers at manned aircraft, citing potential dangers and legal consequences.
• A surge in drone sightings has led to public panic and vigilante actions, including laser strikes on manned aircraft, often due to misidentification.
• Authorities stress the risk of mistakenly targeting manned aircraft, which could result in deadly consequences, and urge accurate identification of drones using tools and techniques.
• Despite assurances from federal agencies that the drones pose no national security threat, residents remain frustrated over the lack of clear answers, prompting some to take dangerous actions.
• The FBI and other agencies encourage the public to remain calm, avoid self-directed actions, and use available resources to distinguish between drones and other aerial phenomena.

In a recent statement, the FBI field office in Newark, New Jersey, has issued a stern warning to residents against taking matters into their own hands when it comes to the recent surge in drone sightings. The agency, along with the New Jersey State Police, has cautioned the public not to shoot down drones or point lasers at manned aircraft, emphasizing the potential for dangerous and even deadly consequences.

The warning comes amid a wave of panic among New Jersey residents, who have reported an increase in mysterious drone sightings over the past few weeks. These sightings have sparked widespread fear and speculation, leading some individuals to resort to vigilante tactics, including the use of lasers to target what they believe are drones. However, authorities have stressed that such actions are not only illegal but also pose significant risks to public safety.

According to the FBI and New Jersey State Police, there has been a concerning rise in incidents where pilots of manned aircraft have been struck in the eyes with lasers, often due to mistaken identification of the aircraft as a drone. This misidentification has led to dangerous situations, as individuals on the ground attempt to take action against what they perceive as a threat. The authorities have also expressed concern that people could mistakenly fire weapons at manned aircraft, believing them to be unmanned drones.

“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 acting illegally or with nefarious intent and using every available tool and piece of equipment to find the answers the public is seeking,” the statement read. “However, there could be dangerous and possibly deadly consequences if manned aircraft are targeted mistakenly as UAS.”

The agencies have highlighted the ease with which individuals on the ground can misidentify a manned aircraft as a drone. They noted that drones are often mistaken for more familiar objects such as manned aircraft, low-orbit satellites, or celestial bodies like planets or stars. To prevent such misidentifications, the authorities have urged the public to use a variety of tools and techniques to accurately identify suspected drones.

“Misidentification often occurs when UAS are mistaken for more familiar objects such as manned aircraft, low-orbit satellites, or celestial bodies like planets or stars,” the statement explained. “To improve accuracy and prevent false sightings, a variety of tools and techniques can be used to assist with the visual identification of suspected UAS. Accurate identification is critical for maintaining safety and ensuring appropriate responses to UAS activity.”

False assurances

The statement from the FBI and state police comes as New Jersey residents and lawmakers have expressed frustration over the lack of clear answers from the federal government regarding the drone sightings. Despite the growing unease, U.S. officials have repeatedly assured the public that the drones are not a national security threat. Maj. Gen. Patrick S. Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, emphasized that the drones are not government assets and ruled out the possibility that they are part of any experimental program.

In a joint statement, the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the Department of Defense confirmed that there is no evidence to suggest that the drones are anomalous or pose a threat to public safety or national security. However, the agencies acknowledged the public’s concern and pledged to continue their investigations into the matter.

Despite these reassurances, some residents have taken matters into their own hands, leading to dangerous situations. The Federal Aviation Administration has previously warned that shooting at any aircraft, including drones, poses a significant safety hazard. An unmanned aircraft hit by gunfire could crash, causing damage to persons or property on the ground, or collide with other objects in the air. Additionally, such actions could result in civil penalties from the FAA and criminal charges from federal, state or local law enforcement.

As the mystery surrounding the drone sightings continues, the FBI and other agencies are urging the public to remain calm and avoid taking any actions that could endanger lives. The authorities are working diligently to identify the operators of these drones and ensure the safety of the public. In the meantime, residents are encouraged to use available resources, such as websites and mobile apps, to track flight paths and celestial objects, helping to distinguish between drones and other aerial phenomena.

The situation in New Jersey serves as a stark reminder of the importance of responsible behavior in the face of perceived threats. While the public’s concern is understandable, it is crucial that individuals refrain from taking matters into their own hands, as such actions could have serious and unintended consequences. The ongoing investigation into the drone sightings will hopefully provide the answers that residents are seeking, but until then, the message from authorities is clear: stay vigilant, but stay safe.

Sources include:

FoxNews.com

FBI.gov

NewsWeek.com