Tens of thousands of online amateur sleuths have set social media ablaze as they race to find the source of mysterious drones that have amassed New Jersey skies in recent weeks.
The Facebook group “New Jersey Drones — let’s solve it.” has quickly garnered a membership of over 22,000 as of Tuesday afternoon, just nine days after the group was created for the inherently inquisitive to share videos, photos, articles, tips and theories. Among the group “admins” include Somerset County educator, artist and firefighter Steven Speeney, who each day reminds curious members prior to the sun setting — when the drones start to ramp up — to post sightings but avoid any unpleasantries.
Speeney swiftly filters out spam posts and those creating disturbances in the group, and says he deletes “obvious planes, reflections and blurry videos” to keep the page “neat and tidy for the FBI.” He also created several engaging banners that look straight out of a true crime podcast cover, and notes that the Facebook group includes people from across the country, members of the media, those in the political and governmental space, and several drone hobbyists, professionals and experts in varying fields.
Related: New federal legislation would help officials monitor drone activity amid mystery in NJ
While it’s no surprise the page sparks lengthy discussion among armchair investigators each time a video or photo is posted primarily from a North or Central Jersey town, the page also has been a resource for the amused, the scared, the conspiracy theorists, experts and those quick to dissuade hypotheses. By Tuesday afternoon alone, the page had nearly 800 new posts, with over 3,500 overall since its Dec. 1 start.
Morris County officials were first to address rumors of drone activity in mid-November, with sightings now stretching over eight North and Central Jersey counties, plus several shore areas in South Jersey. New Jersey’s principal federal law enforcement agency has imposed flight restrictions over Picatinny Arsenal, a military research facility in Jefferson and Rockaway townships, and a golf club in Bedminster owned and frequented by President-elect Donald Trump.
Several residents have been quick to express frustration over the lack of answers — expressions Gov. Phil Murphy said he understood when asked by reporters following a bill signing on Monday.
Law enforcement agencies in North Jersey have addressed the ongoing speculation by posting similarly written press releases on social media after drones have been spotted over important infrastructure. The departments have collectively stated that there is no evidence to indicate any imminent threats to the public, with Florham Park Police Chief Joseph Orlando adding the drones’ presence appeared “nefarious in nature.” Murphy reiterated there was no public safety concern on Monday.
Fears and frustrations run wild on NJ social media drone page
From alleged “leaked” internal documents on how police are to handle drone queries to theories that military drones have been deployed to track nuclear fallout from a dirty bomb that has been detonated, the popular Facebook page has swirled with an array of conversation.
One member suggested residents are the ones that have “kickstarted this whole invasion” because “every plane we see is automatically a drone” since it’s not often people look at the sky, particularly at night.
Some have suggested companies such as Amazon drone delivery have deployed their drones, although their website states they do not deliver at night, and others have been quick to call out local companies that use drones as part of their operations.
More: Gov. Murphy understands residents’ ‘frustration’ over North Jersey drone mystery
Some eagle-eyed spotters have recently posted about “giant balls of light” in the sky, while others have shared photos or videos of what appear to be helicopters but instead are smaller in size, and instead of a roaring engine, seemingly emit a low “buzzing” noise. The drones appear to maneuver at angles different than a traditional airplane, some say, with the drones traveling in groups and either moving quickly or hovering in place.
Federal and state officials have yet to describe the drones, although Murphy said Monday the objects are “very sophisticated,” noting that “the minute you get eyes on them, they go dark.” And despite rumors on social media, there have been no confirmed reports of downed drones, he said.
While theories have run rampant, some members have been fraught with worry. One member said she was “scared to death” after reading posts from the group and feared for her family.
“I’ve seen intelligent people make posts about a lot of different theories but I’m truly feeling so freaked out the more that gets said, and I’m just someone trying to stay informed but not terrified,” she wrote in the Facebook group Monday night.
As questions remain unanswered, lawmakers have increasingly called on federal and state officials for transparency over the recent drone sightings.
State Sen. Jon Bramnick, who is running for governor, called on Gov. Phil Murphy on Tuesday to declare a “limited state of emergency” to ban all drones “until the public receives an explanation regarding these multiple sightings.” Rep. Josh Gottheimer, who is also running for governor, introduced federal legislation on Tuesday to allow state and local law enforcement to monitor future drone use.
The latest push by legislators comes after a group of North Jersey mayors and elected officials have demanded answers from Murphy, who on Monday noted federal cooperation has been “good,” but pleaded for more.
Email: lcomstock@njherald.com; Twitter: @LoriComstockNJH or on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on New Jersey Herald: NJ drones mystery: Could Facebook group sleuths solve it?