New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy is pleading directly with President Biden for federal aid in determining why his residents see unexplained aircraft dotting the sky night after night.

In a letter, he said state and local police are “hamstrung” in dealing with drones, so action falls “squarely on the shoulders of the federal government.”

“New Jersey residents deserve more concrete information about these [unmanned aircraft systems] sightings and what is causing them,” Mr. Murphy, a Democrat, wrote Friday.

The governor said he’s received reports of mysterious drones since Nov. 18. The aircraft appear more sophisticated than drones used by hobbyists.

Mayors, local police and scores of residents are venting about the phenomenon and the lack of clear answers from Washington. The Department of Homeland Security released a statement saying some people mistook fixed-wing aircraft for drones, and there is no clear risk to public safety.

Those explanations didn’t satisfy local officials. Mr. Murphy said he appreciated the work of federal partners, but he needs more resources before the situation and narrative around it gets out of hand.

SEE ALSO: Feds say New Jersey drones are actually airplanes

“The continued reporting of UAS activity has raised more questions than answers and prompted an outcropping of conspiracy theories across social media and other platforms,” Mr. Murphy said.

Mysterious drones have been reported as far north as Connecticut and as far south as Maryland, at least according to former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, who posted a video from outside his home in Anne Arundel County.

Much of the activity has centered on New Jersey, including reports in these locations:

• The area around Picatinny Arsenal, a major Army research facility in Morris County.

• Airspace near President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course resort in Bedminister, in northern New Jersey.

• Sightings across the Hudson River in New York City, including over Queens and the Bronx

• Rep. Chris Smith, a New Jersey Republican who represents shore counties, said he’s heard from a sheriff and a Coast Guard commander who were both worried about the drones.

One Republican congressman suggested an Iranian mothership was launching the drones from offshore, prompting a rebuttal from the Defense Department, which said that was untrue.

Mr. Murphy urged congressional leaders and Mr. Biden to give state and local entities more power to deal with unmanned aircraft and urged him to look at the big picture. For instance, New Jersey must grapple with drones and security concerns when it hosts World Cup games, including the final, in 2026.

“As always, New Jersey stands by to assist as the federal government leads this investigation,” Mr. Murphy said. “If I may be of help in any way, please do not hesitate to contact me.”

• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.