Lawrence feels shock wave of terrorism

Police are giving extra attention to places where the public may gather.

By: Lea Kahn
   Lawrence Township police remained on "heightened alert" Wednesday following terrorist attacks on New York and Washington Tuesday morning, according to police.
   Immediately following the attack township police were put on alert and extra officers were called in, Chief of Police John Prettyman said Tuesday.
   As part of this alert, police are giving extra attention to the churches and the lone synagogue in the township during their patrols, Chief Prettyman said. Public buildings or places where the public may gather also are being given extra attention by the police.
   The Lawrence Township First Aid and Rescue Squad’s rescue vehicle was sent to Hudson County for backup, Chief Prettyman said. And Patrolman Michael Yeh, who is a member of the New Jersey State Police’s volunteer urban rescue team, was called in for duty Tuesday.
   The New Jersey Army National Guard headquarters on Eggerts Crossing Road also was put on a state of alert Tuesday. Ray Martyniuk, the public affairs officer for the National Guard, said the normal reaction in response to a situation like this is to increase the level of alert.
   A soldier was stationed at the gated entrance to the vehicle storage yard at the National Guard armory on Eggerts Crossing Road Tuesday. The soldier was seated in a large truck that blocked the entrance. Persons attempting to enter the yard were checked for identification.
   Some businesses, including the Fleet Bank branch on Princeton Pike, closed early Tuesday. Lunchtime business also was slow at the Stewart’s Root Beer stand on Brunswick Pike.
   At the public schools, teachers and staff worked hard to make sure Tuesday was a normal school day, said Superintendent of Schools Max Riley. Many children were unaware of the tragedies taking place in the two cities, he said.
   Staff members patrolled the perimeter of Lawrence Middle School and Lawrence High School, but nothing out of the ordinary occurred, Dr. Riley said. After-school activities at the two schools were canceled Tuesday, but the district after-school program was not canceled.
   Schools were open Wednesday.
   Realizing that some students’ parents work in New York City, school district officials were preparing to care for those students whose parents could not get home and who did not have someone else to care for them, Dr. Riley said. But those contingency plans did not need to be put into action, he said.
   John Machulsky, the director of guidance at Lawrence High School, and members of the district’s child study teams are prepared to provide counseling for students and staff who are troubled by the terrorist attack, Dr. Riley said.
Sports Editor Steve Feitl and Managing Editor Steve Bates contributed to this report.