CHERRY HILL, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has banned drone use in cities across New Jersey amid ongoing concerns about mysterious drone flights reported all over the region.
The FAA on Thursday said, “At the request of federal security partners, the FAA published 22 Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) prohibiting drone flights over critical New Jersey infrastructure.” The list of prohibited locations includes Camden, Evesham, Burlington and Gloucester City. The restrictions are in effect through Jan. 17.
There have been dozens of reported drone sightings in the area in recent weeks, leaving residents and elected officials perplexed. Local lawmakers have demanded that the government do more and release more information.
This week, several federal agencies, including the FAA, released a joint statement reiterating that they don’t believe there is a threat to national security or the public. The agencies said most of the sightings have been of commercial and hobbyist drones that are of no concern. In some instances, planes, helicopters and stars have been mistaken as drones.
The panic has led some people to take matters into their own hands, directing laser pointers at what they think are drones. Officials warn against this because of the danger it poses for pilots in the air.
Federal officials said they are taking the drone sightings seriously and have shared high-level detection equipment with state and local law enforcement.