A Common-sense Five-Point Plan for addressing the New Jersey Drones Issue

“A common sense plan that provides a reasonable, actionable framework for getting some answers to an issue that is causing great concern, and shaking public confidence in the government’s ability to protect us and be transparent as it does so.”

The “New Jersey Drones” continue to cause stress and consternation in communities up and down our eastern seaboard. To address this, New Jersey Representative Mikie Sherrill’s has developed a rational, comprehensive "Drone Plan of Action" that outlines a five-point strategy to address the recurring sightings of unidentified drones. This plan emphasizes the need for clear communication, swift action, and effective coordination. It reflects her military experience, her training as a naval helicopter pilot, and her experience as an attorney and veteran member of Congress.

First, the plan advocates for deploying advanced MQ-9 Reaper drones and counter-UAS radar systems to detect, track, and identify the origins of these unidentified aerial systems (UAS). It underscores the importance of interagency collaboration between the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the FBI, and local law enforcement for rapid responses.

Second, it calls for better congressional coordination by convening a classified briefing for relevant committees to unify understanding and facilitate public updates.

Third, the plan urges the establishment of an interagency task force, led by NORAD, to centralize and streamline the federal response, eliminating bureaucratic inefficiencies.

Fourth, the plan focuses on improving public communication by creating a standardized process for law enforcement to report drone sightings and ensuring cohesive, transparent updates to the public.

And finally, the plan stresses the need for future preparedness, recommending that federal agencies collaborate to identify necessary resources and legal authorities to effectively manage similar incidents in the future.

Rep. Sherrill's plan aims to ensure public safety, reduce fear, and bolster trust through decisive, coordinated efforts and enhanced transparency, positioning the government to handle such challenges more effectively. She should be applauded for creating a common-sense, well-thought-out framework for a more comprehensive plan the federal government can, and should, implement ASAP.

Click here to read the text of the full plan.