Security expert shares startling theory about why people keep seeing mysterious drones in New Jersey

A security expert has shared an alarming theory about the mysterious drone activity in New Jersey.

Since mid-November, witnesses have reported seeing drones across a dozen counties in the state.

At first, they were spotted flying along the Raritan River, which is about 50 miles west of New York City, but soon sightings were reported statewide, including near Picatinny Arsenal, a military research facility, as well as near President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in the town of Bedminster, New Jersey, according to BBC.

Watch a drone sighting below:

Many experts have speculated that the US government and military are conducting covert testing of new technology through these flights.

Clint Emerson, a retired Navy SEAL and owner of the security company Escape the Wolf, provided a possible explanation.

“My first guess is these are potentially government programs kept within what’s known as a ‘Special Access Program,’ which is purposely put together to keep even the most cleared people out – it truly is to keep it secret,” he said, cited by The New York Post.

“That’s why the government’s like, ‘We don’t know.’ They’re being truthful,” he continued. “They don’t even know the program exists.”

Witnesses have reported seeing drones across a dozen counties in the state since mid-November. Credit: Richard Newstead / Getty

The retired Navy SEAL suggested that the technology the drones carry may hold the key to the mystery.

“It could be different types of collection capabilities – so, different types of cameras, like high-definition, infrared or thermal,” he shared.

For example, a second payload could be a device designed to collect data from nearby cell phones.

“How much data can we collect with this? Let’s say we got 10 drones, they fly in a grid, how much cellphone traffic can we pick up? Not actual conversations. But just the signature of millions of cellphones. What can 10 drones pick up going over an area?

“That’s a legitimate test,” he continued. “They’re not invading your privacy. That’s legitimate data. And that’s a f**king capability.”

And what better location for such data collection than New Jersey, the most densely populated state in the country? “That would be my number one guess: It’s a very closely held program, and they’re doing what they need to do to ensure their technology actually works,” Emerson added.

Echoing Emerson’s sentiments, Kelly McCann, a former Marine special missions officer and security expert who worked for the Office of Naval Research, believes the government may be assessing new “operational capabilities” through airborne objects.

“It’s weird how we’re supposed to have control of the skies – but this is going on and no one is saying s**t?” McCann told The publication. “I don’t buy it. Tech exists to drop one or all of them, and they haven’t? Bulls**t.”

The President-elect also weighed in on the conversation on Friday (November 14), calling on the drones to be shot down.

“Mystery drone sightings all over the country,” he wrote on Truth Social, per The Independent. “Can this really be happening without our government’s knowledge. I don’t think so! Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down!!!”

GOP Rep. Chris Smith stated that residents “deserve swift and bold action” by the government to investigate the situation.

However, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy told Fox News that while he “doesn’t blame people for being frustrated,” there seems to be no threat.

“We see no evidence – and this includes Homeland Security, the FBI, Secret Service, our State Police, and authorities at all levels of government – the most important point to say is we don’t see any concern for public safety,” he explained.

“Having said that, it’s really frustrating that we don’t have more answers about where they’re coming from and why they’re doing what they’re doing,” the governor added.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy revealed that there seems to be no threat. Credit: D3_plus D.Naruse @ Japan / Getty

As reported by ABC News, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas revealed that the federal government is taking steps to address the concerns raised.

“I want to assure the American public that we are on it,” he said, before calling on Congress to grant local and state authorities more power to address the issue.

“It is critical, as we all have said for a number of years, that we need from Congress additional authorities to address the drone situation,” Mayorkas said. “Our authorities currently are limited and they are set to expire. We need them extended and expanded.

“We want state and local authorities to also have the ability to counter growing activity under federal supervision,” he concluded.