There have been numerous reports from citizens and law enforcement about ominous drones being spotted across the tri-state area, specifically in New Jersey. It remains a mystery why the drones are being released and what their origin is, but many are skeptical of their intent.

“I saw a drone flying by my neighborhood in Barclay” said Addie O’mara, a Freshman at East. “It was very eerie. Me and my mom were wondering what the purpose of the drone was” O’mara said.

The drones have been said to be the size of SUVs, and the police have had an outpour of civilians reporting sightings. 

“I was walking my dog and I looked up and there was a drone” said Lauren Eras, a local who shared her experience with a drone in her neighborhood. “It had a red and green light, and it was flying just around the height of a house. [The drone] was really low [to the ground], so I could see everything. I stopped my walk to go inside and call 911” Eras said.

Although the FBI and former President Biden have told sources that the drones are not a threat, the Federal Aviation Administration, (FAA), have mandated a temporary flight restriction for all drones in the South Jersey region. 

The drones have sent the general public into a frenzy, with many expressing their distress through social media. Thousands of discussions on the topic have surfaced through social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, causing the paranoia to spread.

It is still unknown if the drones are a foreign entity or if they are being sent with malice in mind. Drones are usually manufactured for commercial use; however, the sudden increase of drone sightings raises the question if they are all being employed for that purpose.

The original spike in drone observations occurred in November 2024, but as of January 2025, the number is yet to dwindle down. So, it still remains unclear on whether there is any foul play at hand or whether there is just a surge in regular drones being used for advertisement.