By John Burton
When events like last weekend’s bombings in New York City, Seaside Park and Elizabeth happen, it affects law enforcement’s thinking everywhere in the region.
“When something like this happens everybody steps it up a little bit,” said Red Bank Police Chief Darren McConnell.
Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden said his department went on “a heightened state of alert,” as is standard in situations occurring in the tristate area.
That meant being in communication with state and local law enforcement and the federal Department of Homeland Security, and increasing a law enforcement presence at transportation hubs and any larger-scale events that were planned for the weekend. That’ll be the same for events for the coming weekends, such as the numerous 5K runs, harvest festivals and the like, that fill up the September weekend calendars, Golden said.
On top of that, the Sheriff’s Department officers and all law enforcement over the weekend were on the lookout for the suspect Ahmed Khan Rahami and his vehicle after the alert was sent by the NYPD.
Overall, “The weekend was a lot of responding to suspicious packages,” Golden said.
The sheriff’s office K-9 patrols were dispatched to offer assistance after the Seaside Park explosion.
Middletown Police also upped the game by advising patrols, “to increase their vigilance in regards to transportation hubs,” such as the NJ Transit commuter station, commuter ferry terminal and bus terminals, according to Lt. Det. Paul Bailey, the department spokesman.
Monday morning’s commute had additional police attention, “as a visible show of proactive deterrence,” Bailey said. In Red Bank, “We beefed up our presence in public areas,” such as the commuter train station, parks and in the downtown area – traditionally busy on weekends, said McConnell.
There were two events scheduled for Saturday for Riverside Gardens Park, a political rally in the afternoon and a concert in the early evening. McConnell said a larger police presence was dispatched for those events.
“Soft targets are everybody’s concern and now even more so after this weekend,” McConnell said.
Given that, McConnell said there were conversations with representatives of the Count Basie Theatre and other destinations, as well as conversations with Homeland Security about what happened and for local upcoming events. “So, we’re all on the same page,” he said.
There are “no specific threats” for Red Bank. However, McConnell pointed out, Sunday, Sept. 25, is the annual Guinness Brewery Oyster Festival at the White Street municipal parking lot – a traditionally well-attended event. That event, which is usually well represented with a police presence, will have a heightened one. “We’re trying, within reason, to harden those targets up a little bit,” he explained.
When events like last weekend’s bombings in New York City, Seaside Park and Elizabeth happen, it affects law enforcement’s thinking everywhere in the region.
“When something like this happens everybody steps it up a little bit,” said Red Bank Police Chief Darren McConnell.
Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden said his department went on “a heightened state of alert,” as is standard in situations occurring in the tristate area.
That meant being in communication with state and local law enforcement and the federal Department of Homeland Security, and increasing a law enforcement presence at transportation hubs and any larger-scale events that were planned for the weekend. That’ll be the same for events for the coming weekends, such as the numerous 5K runs, harvest festivals and the like, that fill up the September weekend calendars, Golden said.
On top of that, the Sheriff’s Department officers and all law enforcement over the weekend were on the lookout for the suspect Ahmed Khan Rahami and his vehicle after the alert was sent by the NYPD.
Overall, “The weekend was a lot of responding to suspicious packages,” Golden said.
The sheriff’s office K-9 patrols were dispatched to offer assistance after the Seaside Park explosion.
Middletown Police also upped the game by advising patrols, “to increase their vigilance in regards to transportation hubs,” such as the NJ Transit commuter station, commuter ferry terminal and bus terminals, according to Lt. Det. Paul Bailey, the department spokesman.
Monday morning’s commute had additional police attention, “as a visible show of proactive deterrence,” Bailey said. In Red Bank, “We beefed up our presence in public areas,” such as the commuter train station, parks and in the downtown area – traditionally busy on weekends, said McConnell.
There were two events scheduled for Saturday for Riverside Gardens Park, a political rally in the afternoon and a concert in the early evening. McConnell said a larger police presence was dispatched for those events.
“Soft targets are everybody’s concern and now even more so after this weekend,” McConnell said.
Given that, McConnell said there were conversations with representatives of the Count Basie Theatre and other destinations, as well as conversations with Homeland Security about what happened and for local upcoming events. “So, we’re all on the same page,” he said.
There are “no specific threats” for Red Bank. However, McConnell pointed out, Sunday, Sept. 25, is the annual Guinness Brewery Oyster Festival at the White Street municipal parking lot – a traditionally well-attended event. That event, which is usually well represented with a police presence, will have a heightened one. “We’re trying, within reason, to harden those targets up a little bit,” he explained.
An important key in the public safety equation, Golden stressed, is the public. “I’ve said this time and again,” he said, “it is the vigilance of our residents,” that make a difference.
Golden stressed the importance of the “See Something, Say Something” campaign. “We know our places, our routines. And if you see something is out of order we want you to say something.”
What would also be helpful, Golden added, is when attending events, if possible leave the backpacks home, or at the very least, don’t leave them unattended. That would help law enforcement, he said.
What would also be helpful, Golden added, is when attending events, if possible leave the backpacks home, or at the very least, don’t leave them unattended. That would help law enforcement, he said.
