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Mysterious drones spotted 'pacing' in New Jersey: Report
New Jersey residents reported spotting mysterious drones again on Sunday, December 8, according to local media.
PRINCETON, N.J. - New Jersey residents have been reportedly seeing dozens of drones in recent weeks, including near sensitive sites such as a military research facility, Gov. Phil Murphy said.
However, the governor said the drones don’t appear to pose a public safety concern.
Where are the drones from?
It’s unclear who is piloting the drones and why, but federal and state officials have repeatedly stressed that there is no known threat to public safety.
New Jersey Rep. Jeff Van Drew said Wednesday that "very qualified" and "reliable" sources believe the mystery drones populating the Garden State's skies are originating from an Iranian "mothership" parked off the U.S. East Coast, a claim the Pentagon subsequently denied.
"Here is the real deal," the GOP lawmaker told Fox News' Harris Faulkner.
"I'm on the Transportation Committee, on the Aviation Subcommittee, and I've gotten to know people. And from very high sources, very qualified sources, very responsible sources. I'm going to tell you… Iran launched a mothership probably about a month ago that contains these drones. That mothership is off the east coast of the United States of America."
Van Drew did not provide the names of sources responsible for the information, citing confidentiality.
Are the drones a threat?
Meanwhile, the FBI has been investigating reports about the mysterious nighttime drone flights that started occurring last month across central New Jersey and has asked the public for help.
RELATED: FBI: 'Loud' clusters of drones, aircraft spotted over NJ skies
Where have the drones been spotted?
Since then, residents have reported seeing drones in other areas.
Murphy noted there were 49 reports of drones on Sunday, mostly in Hunterdon County. The Democratic governor said those numbers included possible sightings and potentially the same drone being reported more than once.
"This is something we’re taking deadly seriously. I don’t blame people for being frustrated," Murphy said.
RELATED: Drone or flying car? Expert weighs in after mystery sightings prompt investigation in New Jersey
"I stood inside and recorded and went outside and I said yeah it’s not an airplane. It’s not a helicopter. Oh, I’ve seen video of drones around. I bet ya it’s one of those drones," Morgan Weber, who saw a possible drone, told FOX 29 Philadelphia.
Are drones legal in New Jersey?
Drones are legal in New Jersey for recreational and commercial use, but they are subject to local and Federal Aviation Administration regulations and flight restrictions. Drone operators also must be FAA certified. Most, but not all, of the drones spotted in New Jersey were larger than those typically used by hobbyists.
U.S. Rep Chris Smith, a Republican, said he was on Long Beach Island Monday night with Ocean County Sheriff Mike Mastronardy to look into the situation.
"Understandably, New Jersey residents are very alarmed at this significant and reoccurring phenomenon, and the tepid response from our state and federal agencies so far is totally unacceptable," he said. "The people of New Jersey deserve swift and bold action on the part of our state and federal agencies to investigate, assess, and address the situation immediately and to alleviate the growing concerns of our community."