WASHINGTON, D.C., USA — According to the FBI, there have been over 5,000 reported drone sightings over the past few weeks.
On Tuesday, a spokesman for the Department of Defense (DOD) said the objects flying near restricted air spaces in Virginia, Ohio, New Jersey, New York and Massachusetts do not belong to them.
In a Tuesday press conference, Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said that there are over 1 million drones lawfully registered with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States, and there are thousands of commercial, hobbyist, and law enforcement drones in the sky legally on any given day.
"Is it possible that some of those drones could be up to malign activity?" Ryder said at the press conference. "It's entirely possible. But the vast majority, that is not the case."
Regarding drones flying near DOD installations, Ryder said, "We take them all seriously."
He added base commanders have the authority to "respond appropriately."