iStockphoto
Local officials want the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to investigate multiple sightings of giant drones that have been spotted for more than two weeks flying over Staten Island and parts of New Jersey. They have also asked the FBI to conduct a formal investigation into the mysterious appearance of these drones.
“We have recently been made aware of large, military-style drones flying over parts of New Jersey during the past few weeks. It has also come to our attention from concerned residents and within the media that these drones have now been flying over Staten Island during the past few days,” Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella wrote.
“It is odd and quite bizarre that nobody can figure out who is flying these drones, where they are coming from, and their purpose. It has been reported that some of the drones may be flying without an active transponder, adding to the concern about their whereabouts.”
“They weren’t like a normal drone somebody would purchase and use at their home. They were large — somebody described as large as an SUV,” said Evesham Police Chief Walt Miller.
Former Air Force Sergeant Walter Ziegler, of New Springville, viewed the drones with binoculars and described them as being around 15-feet in length with “white light in the center and a red light on each side.”
“When the aircraft actually got close to them, the lights shut off, and when the aircraft passed them, the lights came on again and started following the aircraft towards the airport,” he added.
The drones have been spotted in various locations in the area, including over Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster and the U.S. Army’s Picatinny Arsenal in Dover, NJ.
Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis is taking these strange drone sightings very seriously, writing in a statement, “Following reports of unidentified flying objects that appear to be drones flying above Staten Island, I’ve requested that the Federal Aviation Administration impose temporary drone flight restrictions in the area, in addition to requesting immediate briefings from the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Bureau of Investigation.”
“It is not just a bizarre situation, but also a concerning one, as it seems these drones can potentially become a danger to personal safety,” Fossella wrote. “It was recently reported that, during a medical emergency resulting from a crash in Branchburg, New Jersey, the presence of these drones prevented a medevac helicopter from being able to transport a seriously injured patient to the hospital. Staten Island is home to two hospital systems, and the potential for these drones to impede life-saving care in medical emergencies is deeply concerning.”