The skies above New York City have become the latest stage for the mysterious “car-sized” drones, first reported in New Jersey last month. On Sunday night, Brooklyn residents observed around a dozen drones, flying in coordinated patterns, before they crossed over to Staten Island, where additional sightings were reported. These unidentified flying objects have also reportedly appeared in Philadelphia, fueling speculation and unease across the tri-state area.
The drones, described as approximately the size of a car, exhibit blinking lights that sometimes inexplicably go dark. In some cases, their lights shift between white, green, yellow, and red. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), spearheading the inquiry through its Newark Field Office, admitted they are perplexed by the phenomenon. “We truly don’t have much information to provide at the moment,” a spokesperson revealed.
The sightings began in northern New Jersey in mid-November, spreading rapidly across several counties. Initially dismissed as harmless, the drones have since caused disruptions. In one instance, they hindered a medevac helicopter responding to a severe car crash. These incidents prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to impose temporary no-fly zones near Donald Trump’s Bedminster golf club and a nearby military base.
Despite assurances that the drones pose no immediate threat, the situation has sparked frustration. During a congressional hearing, lawmakers grilled Robert Wheeler Jr., FBI assistant director for the Critical Incident Response Group, over the lack of progress. U.S. Representative Tony Gonzalez’s pointed questions reflected a broader concern: “You’re telling me we don’t know what the hell these drones in New Jersey are? That’s madness.”
The drones’ origins and intentions remain unknown, leaving both authorities and the public in suspense. As sightings grow, they expose the challenge of controlling airspace amid the rising prevalence of unmanned aircraft, raising questions about security and accountability in the modern era.
