The Federal Aviation Administration threatened to use “deadly force” in a memo temporarily banning drone operations in many parts of New Jersey.
Citing “special security reasons,” the FAA implemented the ban in 22 municipalities starting on Dec. 18 and ending on Jan. 17, 2025.
Drone operators who violate the ban could be “intercepted, detained, and interviewed by the law enforcement/security personnel,” and may be fined, have their operators certificates suspended or revoked, or face criminal charges.
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If the drones pose an “imminent security threat,” the government may use “deadly force” to neutralize said threat.
This notice comes after Reps. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) both called on the government to “shoot down” the drones.
There have been over 5,000 reports of drone sightings in the last few weeks, according to a statement from the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, FAA, and Department of Defense — though most of those have been found to be manned planes. Some of the drones are said to be the size of SUVs, some have been seen in swarms, and the sightings have led to an airport being temporarily shut down in New York.
However, the joint statement said, “Having closely examined the technical data and tips from concerned citizens, we assess that the sightings to date include a combination of lawful commercial drones, hobbyist drones, and law enforcement drones, as well as manned fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and stars mistakenly reported as drones.”
The agencies said they “do not assess the activity to date to present a national security or public safety risk.”
The following New Jersey municipalities are being impacted by the month-long ban: Hamilton, Bridgewater, Cedar Grove, North Brunswick, Metuchen, Evesham, Camden, Gloucester City, Westampton, South Brunswick, Edison, Branchburg, Sewaren, Jersey City, Harrison, Elizabeth, Bayonne, Winslow, Burlington, Clifton, Hancocks Bridge and Kearny.
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Previously-issued temporary restrictions for Bedminster and Picatinny Arsenal will remain in place.
Under the FAA’s restrictions, no drones may operate within a nautical mile of the airspace specified in each Notice to Airmen.