Ocean County Sheriff Seeks Local Drone Control Authority as FAA Jurisdiction Questions Persist

During a Wednesday agenda session of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners, Sheriff Michael G. Mastronardy reportedly emphasized that local law enforcement agencies require tools to protect airspace above their communities. According to reporting from the Asbury Park Press, recent December drone sightings over New Jersey exposed what Mastronardy describes as an increasing 21st-century “vulnerability” for Police: their lack of Legal authority to maintain peace above certain altitudes.

Current FAA Control Limits Local Response

Under existing regulations, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) maintains exclusive control over U.S. airspace, serving as the principal authority for drone regulations. While the FAA oversees unmanned aerial vehicle registration and commercial pilot certification requirements, its federal scope focuses primarily on broader public safety and national security concerns rather than local privacy and nuisance complaints.

Proposed Solutions and Legislative Action

Mastronardy revealed he is collaborating with Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, on legislation to address this jurisdictional gap. The sheriff previously discussed available jamming equipment that would allow trained law enforcement officers to remotely seize control of potentially threatening drones, enabling them to trigger failsafe return-to-home or land immediately commands.

“There is equipment out there that could do certain things to mitigate and if we had trained people,” Mastronardy explained to the commissioners, noting the need for broader controls as drone presence increases. “If you want us to call a judge, get permission — we’ll do that. But you have to react within an hour. You can’t be waiting two, three hours, or two, three days.”

Board of Commissioners Director Jack Kelly expressed willingness to support future initiatives addressing these concerns.

Questions Emerge About December Drone Activities

Earlier this week, at the first briefing of the new administration, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt read a statement from President Donald Trump revealing that the December drone sightings over New Jersey were FAA-authorized operations for research and other purposes. This disclosure raised questions about why the FBI, members of Congress, and state and local officials were not informed about the nature of these activities while public concern mounted.

Mastronardy specifically questioned the FAA’s decision to issue flight restrictions for numerous New Jersey locations in response to the sightings if the agency itself had authorized the drone operations.

“The law enforcement community tells people if you see something, say something,” Mastronardy stated. “My concern is that the credibility goes out the window if in fact you’re not candidly honest with the public. … So our criticism and our direction is, ‘hey, listen, you’re not gonna have TRUST with the public if you don’t tell us what’s going on.’”

The situation highlights ongoing challenges between federal oversight and local law enforcement capabilities in managing drone activity, particularly when rapid response may be necessary for public safety. As drone use continues to expand, the resolution of these jurisdictional and communication issues becomes increasingly critical for effective law enforcement operations.

Photos courtesy of Ocean County NJ.