MORRIS COUNTY — A coalition of 19 Morris County mayors and local elected officials, including Mayor Sam Morris of Mine Hill, Mayor Thomas “Ace” Gallagher of Hanover, Mayor Bill Chegwidden of Wharton, Mayor Christine Glassner of Mendham, Mayor Eric Wilsusen of Jefferson Township, Mayor James Barberio of Parsippany, Councilman Jim Rilee of Roxbury, Township Committee member Matt Dorsi of Long Hill Township, Township Committee member Matt Kayne of Montville, Mayor Matt Murello of Washington Township, Mayor Guy Piserchia of Long Hill Township, Mayor Janet Hoven of Chester Borough, Mayor Joe Jackson of Rockaway, Councilwoman Melissa Florance-Lynch of Pequannock, Mayor Mike Stanzilis of Mount Arlington, Mayor Paul Carelli of Riverdale, Mayor Mark Taylor of Florham Park, Mayor Tom Andes of Denville, and Mayor Tim Drag of Chester Township, are demanding answers and action regarding the mysterious drone sightings reported across North Jersey in recent weeks.
In a letter addressed to law enforcement agencies, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the New Jersey State Police, the group criticized the agencies for what they described as a “reactive instead of proactive approach” to addressing the issue.
The sightings began in Morris County shortly before Thanksgiving and have since spread to Sussex, Somerset, Warren, and other counties across North Jersey, causing widespread concern among residents.
On Thursday, Governor Phil Murphy announced a high-level briefing involving DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, senior Homeland Security officials, the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, and the New Jersey State Police. Members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation also participated in the meeting.
“We are actively monitoring the situation and are in close coordination with our federal and law enforcement partners,” Murphy stated on social media, assuring that there is no indication of a threat to public safety.
However, the mayors and officials expressed frustration in their letter, asserting that not enough is being done to resolve the matter.
“Either higher-level officials know what’s going on and are not concerned, or they are negligent for not apprehending and identifying one of these drones,” they wrote. “We strongly request a proactive approach on behalf of the residents of New Jersey and Morris County.”
The letter urged authorities to track the drones to their landing points, identify their operators, and provide answers to residents who “pay a fortune for government” and deserve action on their concerns.
Residents Share Photos, Theories, and Concerns
Photos of suspected drones have flooded social media, with residents speculating about their origins and purpose. Officials have cautioned that while some sightings may be legitimate, others could be misidentified objects or hoaxes.
The state Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness has encouraged residents to report drone sightings to local authorities. Still, the mayors’ letter emphasized the “disconcerting” nature of the drones’ continued unidentified presence.
“We demand that either they present us with answers or they go and get the answers, but this limbo of no action is unacceptable,” the officials wrote.
Ongoing Efforts to Address the Issue
The mysterious drones remain a topic of concern for North Jersey residents, with local and federal agencies working to investigate. For now, the mayors and other elected officials continue to push for greater transparency and decisive action to address the growing unease among their communities.
