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From Fox News: The FBI field office in Newark urged New Jersey residents this week not to shoot down drones or point lasers at manned aircraft, taking to social media to warn against the dangerous — and possibly deadly — activity, which comes amid an uptick in reported drone sightings along the U.S. East Coast.
The drone sightings have prompted a collective sense of panic among residents, who have taken to social media to share photos and videos of believed drones captured in the darkened U.S. skies. The shared sense of fear-mongering has also prompted some vigilante-like responses, with some social media users documenting efforts to take matters into their own hands, including via laser beam.
In the statement, released by the FBI and New Jersey State Police, authorities expressly warned against such activities, citing an increase in pilots of manned aircraft in the area who have been hit in the eyes with lasers after being misidentified as a drone by someone on the ground.
The statement continues:
“FBI Newark, NJSP, and dozens of other agencies and law enforcement partners have been out every night for several weeks to legally track down operators acting illegally or with nefarious intent and using every available tool and piece of equipment to find the answers the public is seeking. However, there could be dangerous and possibly deadly consequences if manned aircraft are targeted mistakenly as UAS.
“Misidentification often occurs when UAS are mistaken for more familiar objects such as manned aircraft, low-orbit satellites, or celestial bodies like planets or stars.”
— FBI Newark (@FBINewark) December 16, 2024
Social media users are firing back, in response to the FBI’s statement.
“Clearly identifying who’s flying drones all over the US might go a very long way in dissuading the public from taking matters into their own hands. But, of course, you know that,” one X user quipped.
“If you don’t want the “civilian” population handling the situation by themselves, solve the problem. If the government refuses to solve a problem it is up to we the people to solve it our own way,” another user defiantly wrote.
“But what ARE YOU doing about it?” another person demanded.
Meanwhile, Monday night, Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene blasted out a warning of her own.
“I’m going to tell you right now that if they try to tell us all to stay inside, stay home, shelter in place “FOR OUR SAFETY” from the drones, there is no way in hell I will comply with that absolute bullshit. Not doing it. No way. I’ll shoot the drones down myself along with every other red blooded freedom loving American. 🇺🇸,” she wrote.
I’m going to tell you right now that if they try to tell us all to stay inside, stay home, shelter in place “FOR OUR SAFETY” from the drones, there is no way in hell I will comply with that absolute bullshit.
Not doing it.
No way.
I’ll shoot the drones down myself along with…
— Marjorie Taylor Greene 🇺🇸 (@mtgreenee) December 17, 2024
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