On Saturday in Seaside Heights, New Jersey, there were drones that residents were probably happy to see.
They are part of a new patrol unit within the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office. At their command center, deputies monitored drone activity and put their own in the sky to get a closer look at mysterious flying objects.
It comes amid reports of drone sightings in the area, including one deputy who saw dozens flying in from the ocean.
“She reports seeing 50 drones coming from the ocean to the mainland crossing the airways over Island Beach State Park,” said Sheriff Michael Mastronardy of the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office.
The Seaside Heights command center was also the site of a press conference where New Jersey Congressman Chris Smith unveiled new federal legislation he plans to introduce in Congress.
“Most of all, it will allow the state police to have the same kind of capability as the Department of Defense and Homeland Security if necessary to bring down one of these unmanned drones,” Smith said.
CBS Philadelphia
Several sightings of drones have been reported in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and four other states since mid-November.
Many of them were seen over homes, highways and even military bases.
The White House has said the drones do not appear to pose a threat to public safety or national security. That response frustrates officials who demand answers.
“These issues are very, very troubling and the response from the federal government is very, very insulting,” said John Peterson Jr., Mayor of the Borough of Seaside Park
Officials say the lack of information is causing fear among residents with many worried about the potential security risk.
“This affects our citizens every day, every night and this has to stop,” said Ocean County Commissioner Frank Sadeghi.
New Jersey officials are also calling on the federal government for help, saying it’s clear more resources are needed to fully understand the problem.
