FBI investigates drones near Trump Golf Club in New Jersey

The FBI and local authorities in New Jersey are asking the public for help with any information about a series of unexplained drone sightings in the area in recent weeks.

On Tuesday, the FBI, New Jersey State Police and the state Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness issued a joint statement about the flying objects spotted along the 70-mile-long Raritan River in Morris County.

“Witnesses spotted the gathering of what appeared to be drones and a possible fixed-wing aircraft,” the statement said. “We have reports from the public and law enforcement going back several weeks.”

The sightings have raised additional concerns because of their proximity to President-elect Donald Trump’s National Golf Club in Bedminster, south of Morris County.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued two temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) on Trump’s golf clubs and the Picatinny Arsenal, a military research and production facility, because of the questionable sightings. TFRs restrict the use of aircraft, including drones, in a specific area for a limited period of time without authorization.

Videos of the drone sightings have surfaced on social media, prompting some people to express doubts about the authenticity of the images. But others have raised concerns about whether the objects are being used to monitor residents or pose a threat to the public.

Eyewitnesses told local media that the drones had been flying in the area almost every night for the past few weeks.

“We saw her every night except Thanksgiving. I guess they took the evening off,” Mike Walsh told NBC New York on Monday.

Walsh also said that the objects sound like helicopters and that they fly for long periods of time. He also noted that he couldn’t say exactly where they take off from and where they land.

“The sky in New Jersey is fluttering!” one user wrote on What are they? Is it aliens, spy technology or something else?”

According to the FAA, drone pilots who violate flight restrictions or endanger aircraft or people can have their license revoked or face fines of up to $75,000.

The agency’s website shows that the TFR for Trump’s Golf Course ends on December 6th, while the TFR for Picatinny Arsenal ends on December 26th.

Anyone with information about the drones is urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit the information online at Tips.fbi.gov.