In recent weeks, residents of the Northeastern United States have been buzzing with curiosity over a strange sight in the skies: a multitude of hovering drones.
Questions abound: What are these drones doing? Who operates them? Are they a threat to anyone’s safety? Some even wonder if they might have extraterrestrial origins.
The Facts
Drones have become a common sight across America, with over one million legally registered.
These range from those flown for commercial purposes to hobbyists and law enforcement operations.
Since mid-November, the FBI has documented more than 5,000 reports of drone sightings specifically in the Northeast, with New Jersey contributing over 3,000 of these accounts.
However, not every sighting pertains to actual drones—some were misidentified manned aircraft, helicopters, or even stars, as highlighted in a federal inquiry.
The Department of Homeland Security and various other agencies are currently investigating the situation.
So far, there’s no solid evidence supporting claims of foreign surveillance or unauthorized activities.
Interestingly, this spike in sightings may correlate with the Federal Aviation Administration’s recent rule changes that allow drone flights at night.
Public Reactions
Drones serve a variety of purposes—from recording personal moments to enabling pharmacy deliveries and creating stunning aerial light shows.
Despite their practical uses, many people still feel uneasy about their presence.
An academic from the University of Pennsylvania notes that this anxiety may be linked to the drones’ military associations, along with thoughts of terrorism and surveillance.
In periods of uncertainty, it is not uncommon for speculation to run wild; in this case, rumors have spread about manipulated images, potential foreign threats, chemtrails, and the enduring conspiracy theory suggesting the government might orchestrate a phony alien invasion to distract the public.
Amidst these rising concerns, New Jersey’s Governor has called for calm.
He cautioned against impulsive actions, such as shooting at the drones or directing lasers toward them, as these could endanger pilots of manned aircraft.
A Historical Echo
This unusual scenario echoes a historical moment from 1938, when Orson Welles’ radio adaptation of H.G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds triggered mass hysteria among listeners, who believed they were witnessing a real alien invasion—a testament to how easily fear can spread when faced with the unknown.
Source: Thehustle.co