WASHINGTON, DC — Today, December 10, 2024, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) announced new action to prevent misuses of drones, support our local law enforcement, inform the public, and make sure our counties, our state, and our country remain safe should a threat arise.

A recording of the announcement can be found here.

“We can never play it too safe when fighting to protect Jersey families, especially from new technologies that have great potential but also can pose certain risks. That’s why I’m focused on making sure that random, unidentified drone activity isn’t something that our communities have to deal with going forward,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “We must ensure New Jersey does not become the Wild West for drone activity.”

Gottheimer’s New Action Includes: 

• First, Gottheimer has sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, and FAA urging them to immediately provide more information on these current drone sightings to the public.
  • This includes providing an update to the public on what the agency and department are currently doing in response to the increasing sightings of drones in Jersey airspace.
  • This will be crucial in reassuring public safety, and ensuring that our efforts to safeguard our national security keep up with advancing technology and any terrorists who may be looking to do us harm.
• Second, Gottheimer is introducing new legislation to expand federal grants for our local law enforcement through the COPS Technology Grant and Equipment Program, to help make radar systems more available to state and local police.
  • This technology will equip our law enforcement with the resources they need to identify how many drones there are, where they’re coming from, and where they’re going.
• Third, Gottheimer helped lead the introduction of the bipartisan Drone Act.
  • This bill prohibits the most dangerous uses of drones in the United States, by outlawing things like attaching a weapon to a drone and establishing a two-year prison sentence for anyone who uses a drone to interfere with emergency-response activity, law-enforcement activity, or military operations.
  • Gottheimer also cosponsored the Safeguarding the Homeland from the Threats Posed by Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation that the Problem Solvers Caucus endorsed, strengthens the authority of federal, state and local law enforcement to respond to security threats posed by drones — keeping our families, communities, and nation safe.

Remarks as prepared for delivery:

Just before Thanksgiving, when families gathered to spend time with loved ones, unidentified drones began gathering across 10 different counties in Jersey, including in my district. Now, our communities in Northern Jersey have only been seeing more and more drones flying above them.

Some reports by witnesses have even suggested that these drones were the size of small cars or planes, causing nearly 50 reported sightings in just one night. I have heard the concerns from my constituents. They’re concerned about the safety of our families and what these increasing sightings could mean. As has been reported, the Governor and the Secretary of Homeland Security briefed the congressional delegation last week. As a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, I have also been in regular communication with our federal law enforcement officials, including the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security, and the FAA, and have asked for a classified briefing.

Based on the information I have and the briefings I’ve received, I’m not concerned about any imminent threats to public safety regarding these drones. That said, I understand why my constituents are concerned. There has not been enough information disclosed to the public from federal law enforcement and agencies who are chiefly responsible for monitoring drone activity. That’s why I’ve written to the FBI, DHS, and FAA and asked them to immediately brief the public on the recent drone activity and help allay the concerns of many across our state.

We can never play it too safe when fighting to protect Jersey families, especially from new technologies that have great potential but also can pose certain risks. That’s why I’m also focused on making sure that random, unidentified drone activity isn’t something that our communities have to deal with going forward. We must ensure federal, state, and local governments have the resources they need to detect and counter drone threats should they arise. That’s why I am announcing new steps I am taking to support local law enforcement efforts to keep our communities safe, ensure drone safety, and empower our federal partners with what they need.

As of September 2020, the FAA registered an estimated 1.7 million unmanned aircraft systems, with more than 70% being reportedly used for recreational uses. And while advancements in technology have made life easier, and drones specifically have been great in capturing the amazing views of our beaches here in Jersey for example, that same advantage could be leveraged by those with bad intentions to dangerous effects. In 2019, a drone was spotted 3,500 feet over Teterboro Airport, halting Newark Airport traffic, and on Nov. 26, just a few weeks ago, drones prevented a medical helicopter from helping a car crash victim in Somerset County.

Since drones can also be made in people’s garages for a couple hundred dollars, this potential threat is not going to go away anytime soon — it’s one that will always hover over us. We also know that there is great potential with drones coming down the road, like delivering packages, helping our local farmers monitor their crops, helping small businesses or real estate brokers who take pictures of homes, or supporting disaster relief, search and rescue efforts, and law enforcement activity in group settings. But, again, we need to take steps to ensure that we protect public safety and prevent uninvited nuisance in our communities. We cannot let drones be used to assist criminals who try to stalk innocent victims, or go near homes and invade privacy, or fly over our military bases, police and fire departments, and reservoirs to threaten national security. This cannot be the Wild West when it comes to drones.

That’s why I am announcing new action to prevent misuses of drones and support our local law enforcement and make sure our communities, state, and our country remain safe should a threat arise.

First, as I said, I’ve written to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas and FBI Director Wray urging them to immediately provide more information on these current drone sightings to the public. This includes providing an update to the public on what the agency and department are currently doing in response to the increasing sightings of drones in Jersey airspace.

This will be critical in reassuring public safety, and ensuring that our efforts to safeguard our national security, keep up with advancing technology, and any terrorists who may be looking to do us harm.

Second, I am introducing legislation to expand federal grants for our local law enforcement through the COPS Technology Grant and Equipment Program, to help make radar systems more available to state and local police. Ensuring that only the drones that should be in the air — are.

This technology will equip our law enforcement, who are the best in the world, with the resources they need to identify how many drones there are, where they’re coming from, and where they’re going. We must get the backs of law enforcement by ensuring our officers are given all the tools they need. As I have always said, we must invest, to protect our communities, and as Co-Chair of the Law Enforcement Caucus, I will always work to do just that.

Finally, I have, and will always fight to defend Jersey families from the misuse of drone technology. That’s why I led the introduction of the bipartisan Drone Act with my colleagues Mike Gallagher, Lance Gooden, and Dina Titus. This bill prohibits the most dangerous uses of drones in the United States, by outlawing things like attaching a weapon to a drone and establishing a two-year prison sentence for anyone who uses a drone to interfere with emergency-response activity, law-enforcement activity, or military operations. No one should be able to use their drones to interfere with airports and put lives at risk.

I was also proud to cosponsor the Safeguarding the Homeland from the Threats Posed by Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act — bipartisan, bicameral legislation that the Problem Solvers Caucus, which I cochair, also endorsed. This bill strengthens the authority of federal, state and local law enforcement to respond to security threats posed by drones — keeping our families, communities, and nation safe.

I now wanted to take a moment and encourage everyone to continue reporting any sightings or information they may have to the FBI by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (800 225-5324) or by uploading any photos or videos of these drones at tips.fbi.gov. The bottom line is: I know there are many concerns when it comes to the threat of unidentified drone activity in our district, our counties and our state. Having been in the room during many classified discussions about our national safety, I also know that we are fortunate to have the best of the best working day and night to defend our values and our nation against any threat.

Together, with the actions I am announcing today, we will protect our law enforcement, our homes, and our skies to ensure that in the greatest country in the world, our best days are and always continue to be ahead of us.

God bless you and may God continue to bless the United States of America.