The FAA banned drone operations in several areas of New Jersey until January 17 without special permission from the government due to "special security reasons."

The FBI has received more than 5,000 tips in the last few weeks about drone sightings in New Jersey and other states, said the joint statement.

The FAA said reports are up 269% to 59 in the first half of December, compared with eight in the same period last year. Aiming a laser at an aircraft is a serious safety issue and a violation of federal law. U.S. agencies have said the spike in drone ...