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The New Jersey government says drones pose “no known threat to the public” after the recent spate of sightings

The FBI has asked for the public's help to solve the mystery of dozens of nighttime drone sightings over Morris and Somerset counties in New Jersey, local media and officials reported.

The FBI has asked for the public’s help to solve the mystery of dozens of nighttime drone sightings over Morris and Somerset counties in New Jersey, local media and officials reported.

The spate of drone sightings across New Jersey has alarmed residents and baffled authorities — but the Garden State’s governor said Thursday that the mysterious flying objects did not appear to pose an immediate threat.

In a social media post, Gov. Phil Murphy said he spoke Wednesday with a handful of state and federal officials — including U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas — about the drones that appeared over North Jersey skies several weeks ago.

And there doesn’t seem to be anything for residents to be afraid of.

Multiple drone sightings across the state of New Jersey have residents on high alert. @MendhamMike on StoryfulMultiple drone sightings across the state of New Jersey have residents on high alert. @MendhamMike on Storyful

Multiple drone sightings across the state of New Jersey have residents on high alert. @MendhamMike on Storyful

“We are actively monitoring the situation and coordinating closely with our federal and law enforcement partners on this matter,” Murphy wrote.

“There is currently no known risk to the public.”

Still, authorities are investigating the matter — and the dozens of nighttime sightings at homes, neighborhoods and near military installations have left local police and federal law enforcement officials puzzled.

“Unfortunately, we don’t have many answers and we don’t want to guess or hypothesize about what’s going on,” FBI spokeswoman Amy J. Thoreson told NJ.com on Wednesday.

“We’re doing everything we can to find out.”

The drones — which fly singly and in groups — appeared around Nov. 18 when police responded to calls that they were hovering over parts of Morris County.

According to the Bergen Record, they have since been seen in eight counties, from Bergen in the east to Hunterdon in the west and near the Pennsylvania border.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy responded to NurPhoto via Getty ImagesNew Jersey Governor Phil Murphy responded to NurPhoto via Getty Images

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy responded to NurPhoto via Getty Images

One of the drones interfered with a rescue helicopter that was airlifting a patient, and the sightings led the Federal Aviation Administration to restrict drone flights over Picatinny Arsenal in Morris County and the Trump National Golf Club in Somerset.

“It’s a complete mystery,” Morris County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Mark Chiarolanza told NJ.com.

“The best way we’ll figure this out is if someone can get a good, solid picture of these things,” he said, adding that the size of some of the drones suggests there isn’t a recreational group behind them.

“We can’t throw these things out of the sky,” he continued.

“That would be dangerous.”

Additionally, Murphy said, “There is currently no known threat to the public,” Bloomberg via Getty ImagesAdditionally, Murphy said, “There is currently no known threat to the public,” Bloomberg via Getty Images

Additionally, Murphy said, “There is currently no known threat to the public,” Bloomberg via Getty Images

But even if it were harmless to the people on the ground, dismantling one of the machines would be extremely difficult.

“It’s really difficult to shoot down a drone from the air, and it’s really difficult to disrupt it,” a New Jersey law enforcement source told The Post.

“There are certain technologies that allow you to do this,” the source continued. “But I think it’s really almost impossible to actually shoot a bullet at it.”

At a news conference Thursday, Pentagon spokesman Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said the agency had drawn up plans to deal with the sightings, which also occurred at military sites in Virginia.

However, he declined to provide details of the secret agreements.

“Unmanned systems, more commonly known as drones, can pose both an urgent and persistent threat to U.S. personnel, facilities and assets abroad – and increasingly at the U.S. homeland,” Ryder said.

The plan, he said, will ensure the department is “prepared to conduct unmanned systems counter-operations.”

“I will not go into the specific tactics, techniques and procedures again at this point,” said the US Air Force general.

“But it allows the department to address this in a way that is comprehensive, coherent and holistic.”

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