In response to increasing reports of drone sightings and related public speculation, the Miller Center for Policing and Community Resilience at Rutgers University organized a meeting last Friday. The event, co-hosted by the New Jersey State Police, brought together nearly 50 law enforcement professionals from the northeastern United States and Canada.
The group aimed to separate fact from fiction regarding these sightings, discuss drone technologies, address regulatory issues, and explore public sentiment online. The discussions also covered potential threats posed by drones to critical infrastructure and high-profile events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will have its final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
John Farmer, director of the Miller Center, emphasized the importance of developing standardized approaches: “It is critical to cut through the noise and hysteria, standardize our approaches, and develop common operating procedures for addressing these unprecedented drone sightings.” He highlighted the goal of drafting a collaborative action plan and identifying training needs.
Colonel Patrick J. Callahan of the New Jersey State Police noted that sharing information enhances law enforcement capabilities: “Unmanned Aircraft Systems technology has revolutionized law enforcement, but its true potential is unlocked through the sharing of information.”
Colonel Christopher Paris from Pennsylvania underscored collaboration's role in effective law enforcement: “Collaboration is the foundation of effective law enforcement. By working together... we enhance our ability to address challenges that no single agency can face alone.”
Greg Ehrie from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey stressed developing standard procedures across jurisdictions: “Our infrastructure is part of a larger interconnected network... so it is critical to develop common standard operation procedures across jurisdictions.”
New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police President John Russo expressed commitment to transparency: “We remain committed to this group and will continue to advocate for more transparency and better legislation in regard to this issue.”
Sheriff Michael Mastronardy appreciated the opportunity provided by the meeting: “It was a great opportunity to meet face-to-face with public safety officials to discern facts from fiction.” Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden acknowledged leadership efforts in addressing emerging drone technologies.
The working group plans ongoing collaboration on best practices and policies concerning unusual drone sightings.
