Over the past few weeks, Morris and Somerset counties have seen an increase in mysterious drone sightings that have left residents and authorities scratching their heads. The sightings, most of which took place in the evening hours, have occurred across multiple towns, including Bernardsville.
The Bernardsville Police Department did confirm that they have fielded about 25 complaints from concerned residents regarding the drone activity. However, they couldn’t say anything about the size of the drones, how frequent the sightings are, and in what pattern the drones appear.
“We have received approximately 25 complaints, mostly during the evening hours,” a spokesperson for the Bernardsville Police Department said. “As far as size, frequency, and formations, I do not have any confirmed information to provide you. What I can tell you is that these reports have been observed statewide, and the investigation is currently being handled by the FBI, who have created tip lines for residents to report directly to them. I apologize for not having any other information to provide you.”
Despite the lack of concrete details from local authorities, the growing number of sightings has raised concerns among residents, particularly those who have directly observed the drones.
“I’ve been seeing them over the past few days near my house,” said Julian Bonk, a Bernardsville High School junior. “The drones are flying much lower to the ground than other aircraft. While I can’t tell for sure, they seem to be relatively large.”
Bonk’s account is consistent with the reports of other local residents who have noted that the drones fly at lower altitudes than regular aircraft, making them more visible and alarming. Whereas no direct threats or incidents have been reported, many residents fear for privacy and safety since the drones fly closer to residential areas.
The FBI has since taken over the investigation, creating a dedicated tip line for residents to call with information about the drones. This would mean that law enforcement is taking the incidents with growing seriousness since the mystery of drones has blown out of just one town.
Aside from safety concerns, the drones’ precise purpose also remains unclear. Some speculate they could be for surveillance or other means of reconnaissance; whatever the actual reason may be, authorities have forthwith not explained. All this dearth of information does is feed speculation about the origin and intent of the drones.
For now, the investigation is still ongoing, with authorities asking residents to be aware of their surroundings. The FBI has established a tip line to help gather any information that may help track down the operators of the drones.
The mystery has kept the residents on tenterhooks, with a mix of curiosity and concern. Most are left guessing who is behind the unusual drone activity and why these drones have to appear in droves at night. For the residents here, like Julian Bonk, the situation is still not okay.
“It’s strange to see drones flying around at night without knowing who’s controlling them or why they’re there,” Bonk said. “I think people are just trying to make sense of it all.”
Adding to the increasing concerns among locals, a recent Instagram poll showed that 54 percent of the responding students from the Bernardsville area claimed to have seen the mystery drones themselves. In the poll, which got quite a number of replies from the local student body, it just goes to show how the sightings have become common even among the younger demographic.
Many of the students reported similar experiences as those described by their parents and neighbors: drones flying low, sometimes at night, and at times in what seemed to be formations or coordinated groups. This feedback adds to the mounting sense of unease within the community, especially among young people who feel particularly vulnerable to the unknown nature of these aerial intruders.
While there have been no direct reports of the drones interfering with local activities, their continued presence does raise questions about their purpose and potential risks. As the investigation is still in its early stages, the authorities have not ruled out that these sightings could be part of a larger, coordinated operation.
In the meantime, residents in Morris and Somerset counties can do nothing but just wait for an update from law enforcement and federal agencies working together to trace the origin of such mysterious drone sightings.
