A startling map of just one New Jersey county captures the scope of the drone mystery that’s been plaguing the Garden State’s skies for weeks.
Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden released a heatmap of reported drone sightings from just the past few days alone — covering a chunk of the central Jersey county’s nearly 700 square miles.
Brighter spots on the map denote more reporting, with the inland area around Whittier Oaks, the northern coast along the Sandy Hook Bay, and the southeastern coast off Manasquan Beach showing the highest incidents. Central Monmouth, around Freehold, also has a higher number of reports.
The problem has become so prevalent that Golden requested a state of emergency be declared so that drastic measures can be taken to address the phenomenon.
“Residents are increasingly alarmed by the surge in drone activity after dark, raising concerns about public safety and security,” Golden said.
Here’s what we know about the mysterious drones hovering over NJ
- The drones first made headlines after a helicopter trying to pick up a crash victim had to turn around
- New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said the drones do not pose a threat to the public
- Drones appeared in Staten Island days later as local pols want answers
- NJ Rep. Jeff Van Drew claims the drones are coming from Iran and should be shot down
- Drones appeared in NYC early Thursday morning
- White House officials claim people are mistaking drones for helicopters and airplanes in the sky
Do you have footage of drones over the skies of New Jersey or New York? Send it to The Post at [email protected].
“We cannot wait any longer. The Governor must act now, and the Air National Guard needs to step in to protect our communities.”
The alarming map shows just one county.
Across New Jersey, there have been at least 3,000 reports of drone sightings since they first were spotted around Nov. 18, according to NJ.com.
At least 12 of New Jersey’s 21 counties have reported sightings. Drones have also been spotted over Staten Island.
Monmouth’s neighbor, Ocean County, has joined Golden’s calls for a state of emergency so that federal resources can be called in to address the issue.
Local police have complained their hands are tied by federal regulations limiting what they can do in their skies — which Golden has asked to be rectified “immediately” with congressional legislation expanding sheriff’s offices’ power nationally.
Gov. Phil Murphy, meanwhile, has joined federal officials in claiming there is no cause for alarm over the incidents and was due to meet with White House Thursday to discuss the situation.
White House national security spokesman John Kirby brushed off the reports Thursday, saying most are misidentified regular aircraft.
New legislation expanding federal power over drones, he said, should be passed.
The situation began to crescendo Wednesday when New Jersey Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R) told Fox News “highly credible” sources indicated the drones were Iranian craft being operated from a mothership floating somewhere offshore.
The Pentagon denied those claims but offered no alternative explanation.
Van Drew doubled down Thursday and released satellite images purportedly showing an Iranian drone support ship setting sail just days before the sightings started.
Democratic lawmakers from the area soon joined in, with House majority leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Andy Kim (D-NJ), sending a letter to the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Aviation Administration demanding answers.