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Drone sightings across the country spark concern; Department of Homeland Security, FBI investigating

WPAFB FILE PHOTO (HANDOUT)

W.P.A.F.B. — People are concerned about drones being spotted in airspaces across the country, including over Wright Patterson Air Force Base.

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As reported on News Center 7 Daybreak, the first sightings started in New Jersey and have spread across the country.

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The Department of Homeland Security and the FBI are now investigating after receiving thousands of tips on sightings.

Officials say that of the thousands of reports they have received, less than 100 are credible.

Wright Patterson Air Force Base officials said the airspace was blocked for four hours late Friday night into Saturday morning because of a group of small drones.

Now, people are worried about these drones being spotted in the Miami Valley

“If they’re shutting it down, then it kind of makes you wonder, like, what are they worried about here?” Ryan Zmuda, of Fairborn, said.

Base officials said they are still monitoring the airspace.

Other states with reported drone sightings include New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Virginia.

Police Departments on the East Coast are trying to track the aircraft, but only certain federal agencies have the authority to shoot them down.

In Washington D.C., Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer says he’s going to cosponsor legislation to “give local enforcement more tools for drone detection.”

“We need to take a hard look at our homeland defenses. We need to have an all-of-the-above protection of US airspace,” Representative Mike Waltz (R) with the House Intelligence Committee said.

At this time, Federal officials say they have no evidence of a safety or security risk

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