Over 5,000 drone sightings have been reported along the East Coast of the United States in recent weeks, prompting a joint investigation by federal agencies. While no immediate threat has been identified, the increase in sightings has raised concerns about the origins and purpose of the drones.
A joint statement from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security and other government agencies released on Monday has confirmed there have been more than 5,000 drone sightings over East Coast states in recent weeks. Residents across several East Coast states have reported seeing uncrewed aerial systems, also known as drones, flying in the sky.
Speculation is growing over why the number of sightings has increased, where the drones may have come from and who is flying them. The majority of the sightings have been reported in New Jersey, with reported drone activity also temporarily closing runways at New York's Stewart International Airport for about an hour on Friday. On the same day, airspace above Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio was restricted because of drone activity. In its statement, the government agencies said the FBI had 'received tips of more than 5,000 reported drone sightings in the last few weeks with approximately 100 leads generated' and that the federal government was 'supporting state and local officials in investigating these reports.' Who is operating the drones remains unknown, but according to the statement, there appears to be no threat to public safety or national security. It said: 'Having closely examined the technical data and tips from concerned citizens, we assess that the sightings to date include a combination of lawful commercial drones, hobbyist drones, and law enforcement drones, as well as manned fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and stars mistakenly reported as drones.'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.' At present, there are almost 800,000 drones registered with the Federal Aviation Authority. Any drone that weighs more than 0.55 pounds must be registere
DRONES EAST COAST INVESTIGATION SAFETY SECURITY
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