Recent drone sightings don't pose a security risk, federal agencies say
The Department of Homeland Security and other agencies said they "have not identified anything anomalous" in their investigation of the sightings.
The numerous drone sightings by members of the public in East Coast states are not out of the ordinary and do not pose “a national security or public safety risk,” the FBI and three other federal agencies said in a joint statement Monday night.
The Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Defense Department and the FBI said commercial, hobbyist and law enforcement drones, as well as some crewed fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters and stars, were among the objects identified from more than 5,000 tips authorities received in recent weeks. About 100 tips required further review, the agencies said.
"We have not identified anything anomalous and do not assess the activity to date to present a national security or public safety risk over the civilian airspace in New Jersey or other states in the northeast," the agencies said in the joint statement. "That said, we recognize the concern among many communities. We continue to support state and local authorities with advanced detection technology and support of law enforcement."
An apparent drone flies over Randolph, N.J., on Dec. 3.Obtained by NBC NewsThe statement also said reports of drone sightings over military facilities "are not new."
The Pentagon "takes unauthorized access over its airspace seriously and coordinates closely with federal, state, and local law enforcement authorities, as appropriate,” the statement said, adding that local commanders are "actively engaged to ensure there are appropriate detection and mitigation measures in place.”
Rating: 5