Nearly 1,000 drone sightings have been reported in New Jersey in less than a month, according to data collected by the state Office of Emergency Management.
The analysis found that 964 sightings of unmanned aircraft systems were reported between November 19 and December 13, with the majority (243) in rural Hunterdon County.
There were 193 reports of drone sightings on Thursday night alone. The night sky was also busy on December 4th, with 141 drones seen hovering overhead.
The mysterious public crisis began with a sighting incident that occurred on November 19th.
Somerset County had 169 reported sightings, followed by Bergen County with 75. Sixty-three drones were seen over Monmouth County and 59 were reported over Union County.
Witnesses reported that the mysterious drone was about the size of a mini SUV, hovering low to the ground and emitting a pulsating light.
The federal government has announced that drone sightings, including one in New York, were actually mistaken for manned aircraft such as helicopters or single-engine Cessna planes. They also said they posed no threat to people on the ground.
But elected officials in New Jersey and New York are calling on federal authorities to do more, including shooting down an inspection drone.
Republican lawmakers, citing highly classified sources, suggested the drones were made in China, Iran or Russia.
Most sightings in New Jersey occurred around 6 p.m., with 196 reported at that time.
Approximately 167 sightings were reported in the previous hour.
