A hobby drone crashed into a Pequannock Township homeowner’s backyard in Morris County, New Jersey, on Thursday night, sparking heightened concerns in a state already rattled by unexplained aerial phenomena.
The Pequannock Police Department confirmed that the device, which fell around 8:45 pm, was “a hobby or toy type of drone” and not a military-grade or commercial craft, as reported by the New York Post.
This incident adds to a wave of drone-related anxiety, partly fuelled by recent reports of large drones hovering near the highly secure Picatinny Arsenal.
The facility, which develops military weaponry, has seen multiple sightings, raising concerns about potential espionage by foreign adversaries.
Mayor Ryan Herd of Pequannock Township visited the crash site, emphasising his worries about unauthorised drones invading private property.
Speaking to the New York Post, Herd stated, “Drones are flying over our houses, which is our private property. My family is here.” He urged residents to refrain from chasing or attempting to down drones, warning of potential catastrophic accidents.
Adding to the tension, another report surfaced later that evening about a drone allegedly hitting a powerline in Randolph Township. However, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the report was unfounded.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently imposed temporary drone flight restrictions over key locations in New Jersey, including Picatinny Arsenal and the Bedminster golf course owned by President-elect Donald Trump.
These measures followed reports of unusual drone activity in the region.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy addressed the growing concerns earlier this week, describing the aircraft as “very sophisticated.” He assured residents the devices posed no immediate public threat but encouraged federal authorities to investigate. Murphy warned against shooting drones out of the sky but supported efforts to capture them for study.
White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby revealed that federal investigators have been unable to confirm any of the over 3,000 reports of car-sized drones patrolling the skies.
Meanwhile, Pentagon officials stated they do not believe these drones are linked to foreign entities.