By Mike Morsch, Executive editor
The Cranbury Township Committee has drawn a line in the pavement. And the elected officials hope local residents will take time to notice.
For some time now, the Township Committee was looking for a way to honor its police force. Recently, a local resident suggested that the township draw a blue line on one of its most-traveled roads as a way to show appreciation for local police.
“It’s been a difficult time in history for police around the country. We felt this was the least we could do to honor all the hard work that they do to take care of us,” said Mayor Dan Mulligan.
So on Oct. 29, the township partnered with Cranbury School to paint a blue stripe down a stretch of Main Street from Schoolhouse Lane to Park Place, right in the heart of the town’s business district.
“We thought that would be a great place to make that presence felt,” said Mayor Mulligan.
The school had its own striping machine and was happy to join the township in honoring local police.
“We were aware what some other towns had done — North Brunswick has done something like this. There have been different incarnations of support for police around the country. And we thought this was the appropriate step that we could take in Cranbury,” said Mayor Mulligan. “We do a lot of partnering with the school and I appreciate that.”
The mayor said he got a positive response from Police Chief Rickey Varga and the Cranbury Police Department on the township’s effort, which the mayor believes is the first time that the township has honored police in this manner.
“We are truly honored to be recognized in this way by our Township Committee,” said Chief Varga. “Through the years we have worked alongside our residents in an effort to identify and address the needs of our community. From these efforts, we have earned a mutual respect, which is unique to Cranbury Township. Our mission is to provide a level of service that will enhance the quality of life for our residents. This ‘Thin Blue Line’ symbolizes our bond with our community. We are very thankful and humbled by this gesture of support.”
Mayor Mulligan also said he hopes residents take note of what local police do for the community.
“Hopefully residents will pause and just remember that the police are there for us. They are our first responders. It’s more than just law enforcement. It’s health and safety issues. If someone were to have any type of issue in their home, or safety issue, police are going to be the first ones there,” said the mayor.
“They are there to take care of us and protect us. And I think it’s something that hopefully highlights and helps people remember and think about them. And I hope every resident takes a moment to basically stop and just thank the police for everything they do.”
