Public invited to experience inside of jail, guilt-free
By: Jessica Beym
Minus the handcuffs and the tarnished permanent records, Cranbury residents will have a chance this month to see what the inside of a jail looks like.
The Cranbury Police Department is inviting all residents to come see the new police station during an open house between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sept. 30.
The 16,000-square-foot station, located on Logan Drive off Station Road, opened in October and cost $3.2 million.
Chief Jay Hansen said visitors would be able to tour the facility "with some exclusions."
"Provided we don’t have any prisoners in custody, because that would really curtail the whole operation," Chief Hansen said Monday.
Chief Hansen and Capt. Ed Kahler, as well as some of the other officers, will give the tour and explain each area of their new headquarters.
Visitors will get a chance to see the main office, the interrogation room, the report room with computer workstations and rooms where police officers exercise and take a break.
Chief Hansen said he would also show the guests the cellblock area and the sally port a secure garage used to safely bring suspects into custody.
Certain areas, such as the evidence files and armory, will not be open, Chief Hansen said.
"I’ll be more than happy to explain everything, show what the rooms are for and let them see what their money bought," Chief Hansen said.
The 18-member Police Department moved last fall to its new headquarters after spending nearly 20 years in two doublewide trailers on Dey Road.
Light refreshments, including cookies and coffee, would be provided by the township and served during the open house.