People in St. Johns County are buzzing about drones, with calls to the sheriff’s office increasing this month. Some residents are worried about being spied on, while others fear a larger mystery—like a military operation or foreign surveillance.

Theories range from simple to extreme. Some think a hobbyist or videographer is testing new equipment, while others suspect a more serious reason for the drones’ presence. One resident even believed her ex-husband was using one to spy on her. Others connected the sightings to the wave of unexplained drones reported in New Jersey and Staten Island.

However, in some cases, the explanation turned out to be much more ordinary. The sheriff’s office looked into a few reports and found that some of the drones belonged to construction or surveying companies.

Social Media Fuels the Mystery

A Nocatee resident shared a video on Facebook showing a drone flying high in the night sky over Palmetto Cove. Others quickly added their own stories, including one person who saw a drone hovering over a retirement community.

While some believed the drones had innocent purposes, others weren’t convinced. One person even suggested they could be part of a secret military exercise targeting Northeast Florida.

A drone expert weighed in, reminding people that drones can’t easily see through windows. He also urged residents not to take extreme measures, warning that shooting down a drone is a federal crime.

Meanwhile, officials in New Jersey have taken action, temporarily banning drones in 22 areas after numerous reports of unidentified devices.