FBI issues statement as mystery drone sightings reach New York

The FBI has issued a statement addressing ongoing mystery drone sightings that have now spread from New Jersey to New York, urging public cooperation in their investigation.

It comes as residents in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, reported drones on Sunday night, joining numerous sightings across New Jersey in recent weeks.

The sightings, which began in November, have alarmed residents in neighboring New Jersey.

Drones have reportedly been spotted near the Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military facility, and President-elect Donald Trump‘s Bedminster golf course. In response, the Federal Aviation Administration temporarily restricted drone flights over these locations.

“We understand the concern, and we are doing all we can to figure out what’s going on,” a spokeswoman for the FBI’s Newark Field Office, which is leading the investigation, told PIX11 News. “We truly don’t have much information to provide at the moment.”

Newsweek has contacted FBI Newark via email for comment.

Diane Atkins, a Brooklyn resident, captured videos of the objects near the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, describing them as loud and numerous. “There had to be 10, maybe 12 total of these things,” Atkins told PIX11. “Definitely not planes, and there were too many of them.”

Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis shared Atkins’s videos on X, questioning the lack of information from authorities. “The FAA, FBI, Department of Homeland Security, and NYPD should let the public know what’s going on here,” she wrote.

“Are these drones and why are they flying over sensitive facilities and infrastructure? After the Chinese Spy balloon, anyone can understand why community is concerned!”

Malliotakis was referring to a 2023 incident when the United States Air Force shot down a Chinese spy balloon off the coast of South Carolina, a week after it had entered U.S. airspace.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy commented on the situation on Monday, saying that while authorities have not identified any immediate threats, they are treating the sightings with seriousness.

“This is something we’re taking deadly seriously,” Murphy said during a press conference Monday, adding, “These are apparently very, as I understand it, very sophisticated. The minute you get eyes on them, they go dark.”

Murphy said state and federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, are actively investigating. He noted that 49 sightings were reported on Sunday.

A viral video claiming to show a drone crash circulated online, though no official confirmation has emerged.

Joseph Orlando, Florham Park Police chief, called the drones’ presence “nefarious in nature,” though authorities maintain there is no imminent threat.

Unusual phenomena have been linked to the sightings, including a family’s report of their car clock changing while a drone hovered overhead.

Residents have been asked to report any sightings and to share any videos or photos they may have of the flights by calling the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submitting it online at tips@fbi.gov.