Council and police urge residents to report drone sightings; officials express frustration at federal response

The Pompton Lakes Police Department has issued an advisory asking residents to report drone sightings to the FBI and to use the FBI tips portal; council members said Passaic County and state law-enforcement partners are involved in investigations.

At the meeting Councilwoman Kent read the police advisory into the record and said the police are coordinating with the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, the sheriff’s office, the New Jersey State Police, and the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security. She said residents should report sightings to 1-800-CALL-FBI or at tips.fbi.gov.

Multiple councilmembers and the mayor described recent drone activity over the borough. A council member characterized the federal response as insufficient, saying, "to date, the lack of response in determining the source and purpose of these drones is disgracefully lacking" and urging continued reporting so federal partners have evidence.

Officials cautioned residents that attempting to shoot down or disable drones would be illegal and could create federal criminal exposure; the mayor and council reiterated that local authorities lack power to take down unidentified drones and that federal involvement is required. The council encouraged residents to document sightings and report them through official channels.

No new local ordinance or enforcement authority was adopted at the meeting; the council discussed the issue as a safety and investigative matter and asked police and county/state partners to continue investigative work and public advisories.