Reports surfaced on Friday that one of the mysterious drones spotted in New Jersey may have landed. This triggered a mass search involving multiple agencies.
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However, following a search, Hillsborough police told News 12 that there was no evidence that a drone had crashed nearby. Authorities responded to reports that a drone had been flying in the area and struck a power tension line. The witness said that the flying object then crashed into a nearby field.
This triggered a mass search in the area with first responders searching on foot and in air. However, the search concluded with no evidence that there had ever been a drone to begin with.
It's not the first drone sighting in the state recently. FBI issued safety instructions for first responders coming across a drone. They also advised everyone to wear protective gear and to request a bomb squad or hazmat team if located.
Drone Sightings
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has called for more resources on locating the sources of the drones after several reports and sightings.
"The continued reporting of UAS activity has raised more questions than answers and prompted an outcropping of conspiracy theories across social media and other platforms," Murphy said in a Thursday letter that he posted to social media. "I respectfully urge you to continue to direct the federal agencies involved to work together until they uncover answers as to what is behind the UAS sightings."
"Based on everything we know," Murphy said, "there is no public safety risk we're aware of. On the other hand, is it frustrating to not have more answers on this? Is it frustrating to not have a source for these things? Yes."
However, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said there was no evidence that the drones actually exist. He also said that many of the drones were being operate lawfully. Meanwhile, New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand request a briefing on how federal agencies are addressing the issue.
Gillibrand told CBS News. "We need the FAA and the FBI and Homeland Security to get on this. If they need authorities to take these drones down, they should ask for them, but I think they can take them down now because they don't know who is manning them."
Gillibrand also said that they should be taken down.
"There's ways you can do this without endangering a population," she said. "At a minimum, you should be following these drones to see who's flying them and where they land, and then get them when they land."
