NJ State Police Seeking Public’s Assistance in Brush Fire Investigation
December 6, 2024Two-Time Stanley Cup Champion Makes Hospital Visit in Toms River
December 7, 2024
Reports of Low Flying Drones Over Ocean County
According to the Ocean County Sheriff's Office, their agency is continuing to get reports of low flying Drones over Ocean County. They do have a Drone Unit that is assigned to review these complaints.
The FBI is investigating drone reports throughout the state on Thursday and Friday. Ocean County has heard claims of mysterious drones hovering over North Jersey, but local law enforcement agencies say citizens' accounts have been conflicting.
Drones hovering over Ocean County sparked scores of comments on social media platforms Thursday night and Friday night. People claimed to have seen the drones in Manchester, Brick, Toms River, and Point Pleasant. Many people even posting video footage.
One of the claims made in those remarks was that a fighter plane was observed pursuing or tracking a drone over Brick Township. However, the U.S. Air Force said the assertion was untrue.
Although there were no reports of a fighter plane being involved in any form of pursuit in Ocean County, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst officials stated they were investigating further.
On Thursday evening, according to
Point Pleasant Beach police, three drones were spotted all across the borough, primarily along the NJ Transit railroad tracks at the borough's southern end and along the ocean. State and federal agencies were notified of the action by the police.
Since mid-November, unexplained drones have been observed flying over various locations in New Jersey. In certain places, the drones have flown at night, and occasionally they move in groups.
On Friday evening,
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that his office was monitoring and looking into unidentified drone activity in Ocean County in collaboration with the FBI, the state Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, the county sheriff's office, the New Jersey State Police, and local law enforcement.
"Anyone who witnesses suspicious drone activity is encouraged to contact the FBI hotline at 1-800-CALL-FBI or 911," Billhimer stated.
The matter is being investigated by the FBI. Governor Phil Murphy, however, stated on Thursday that there is "no known threat to the public at this time."
New Jersey State Police and the FBI's Newark office are requesting that anybody with information on the drone sightings contact the FBI by phone at 1-800-CALL-FBI (
1-800-225-5324) or online at tips.fbi.gov.
Additionally, the FBI is requesting images and videos of any drones that are spotted.
