By KATHY CHANG
Staff Writer
EDISON — Despite dropping off a van loaded with relief supplies last week, Police Officer Jennifer Aldahondo said she wishes she could do a lot more for those affected by the severe flooding in southern Louisiana last month.
“The devastation was so bad,” she said. “I feel bad that we could not help so many more people.”
Aldahondo, along with fellow Officer Chelsea Richard, made the approximately 1,350-mile trek to southern Louisiana and back home in a span of four days. Their journey began on Sept. 12, delivering a van loaded with relief supplies they helped to collect.
Southern parts of Louisiana experienced several days of prolonged rain from Aug. 12 through Aug. 22 that forced tens of thousands of people from their homes. Nearly 30 inches of rain fell during the period.
The storm killed 13 people, and it destroyed or badly damaged more than 45,000 homes and businesses, affecting more than 80,000 people.
Aldahondo said Officer Richard, who previously worked with the Asbury Park Police Department, likened the devastation to when superstorm Sandy hit the tri-state area in 2012.
On a side note, along their trek, Aldahondo, an eight-year veteran of the force and Richard, who is in her first year with the Edison Police Department, utilized their police training when they observed an incident involving two tractor-trailers in Virginia. The driver was able to make it out, however, the passenger’s foot was stuck. At the same time, smoke had filled the air.
“We were able to assist the man before the police arrived … all he lost was his boot,” she said. “Thankfully, no one was seriously injured.”
The Edison officers dropped off the donations to the Baton Rouge Police Department.
“We were told that 200 officers were affected by the storm,” said Aldahondo.
Aldahondo had suggested the relief supply collection drive to the Edison Police Benevolent Association (PBA) Local 75 after she learned Baton Rouge family members of two close friends had been affected by the devastating storm.
“I attended one of my friend’s wedding in Baton Rouge this June,” said Aldahondo. “I felt I had to do something to help her family, their neighbors and other people I met.”
Aldahondo said she is thankful to work for a police department in a town that is so willing to offer its support and assistance.
The Edison PBA joined forces with municipal officials and town employees to sponsor a relief supply collection drive, accumulating clothing, diapers, toiletries, bedding, kitchenware, cleaning supplies, kitchen and bath products, nonprescription medicines and children’s toys in bins at the municipal complex.
“We received many generous contributions from community residents, businesses and Town Hall employees,” said PBA President Michael Schwarz, adding that Police Chief Thomas Bryan and Mayor Thomas Lankey supported the union’s effort.
Lankey said he was extremely proud of the township’s cooperative spirit and compassion by bringing aid to people and families far away who lost their homes and possessions to a terrible natural disaster.
Penske Truck Rental in Edison donated the use of the van that the officers drove to Louisiana.
“Police work is about more than enforcing the law,” said Bryan. “It’s about community service and it’s about showing kindness and generosity. What our police department and these officers are doing demonstrates good police work.”
Aldahondo said this was the first time she did something like this. She said she would like to continue to help as southern Louisiana starts to rebuild.