Trenton, New Jersey. Citing worries about public safety and security, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy is pleading with the Biden administration to commit further federal funds to looking into a string of inexplicable drone sightings in New Jersey and nearby states.
Murphy stressed that existing legislation restricts state and local law enforcement’s capacity to combat unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in a letter to President Joe Biden on Thursday. He claimed that government assistance is necessary and characterized law enforcement as being stymied in its efforts to solve the problem.
Murphy noted in the letter—which he also posted on social media site X—that further federal resources are required to comprehend the motivations behind this conduct. The federal government is now alone responsible for taking action regarding the drones.
An interagency investigation headed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with support from the Department of Homeland Security, has been spurred by the sightings, which were initially reported on November 18. Murphy praised the work of Biden’s Homeland Security Advisor Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, but cautioned that unresolved issues have stoked conspiracy theories and public conjecture.
Following prior assurances that the sightings posed no immediate threat to the public, Murphy has called for federal intervention, indicating a change in tone as the claims continue.
Murphy emphasized the increasing use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and the threats they provide to homeland security, privacy, and safety in the letter that was made public on Thursday. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is leading an interagency investigation into the numerous reports of UAS activity that the New Jersey State Police have received since November 18.
Murphy praised White House Homeland Security Advisor Dr. Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for their outstanding collaboration in tackling the problem. He cautioned, nonetheless, that the federal government does not yet have enough resources to completely comprehend the reason behind these occurrences.
According to Murphy, the ongoing coverage of UAS activity has sparked a proliferation of conspiracy theories on social media and other venues and more questions than answers.
The governor’s proposal comes after the FBI stressed the need for more federal assistance in addressing UAS-related issues in comments given at a recent Congressional subcommittee meeting.
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