Runners and walkers from across the state, including some participants from across state lines, stepped to the start line amid temperatures hovering in the mid teens.
The Westfield Police broke out their state of the art mobile communications command center to protect runners and spectators from, well, we're not actually sure from what.
The mobile command center has seen it's glory in Hoboken over the past few years at several street fairs and drunken bar crawls during the holidays. Unfortunately, for Westfield Police Chief David Wayman and his designated crew of command center comrades, Westfield's invite to Hoboken no longer exists after Hoboken parking director (the former disgraced Westfield parking director) John Morgan suddenly resigned. No longer will Westfield taxpayers have to foot the bill for the police chief's "playdates" in Hoboken.Absent from the WPD doomsday arsenal at the Hangover run were the two Zodiac assault boats acquired years ago that sit unused.
Allegedly, there was a request to use the boats, minus the motors, as tube rides on the snowy slopes of Echo Lake Park.Back to the mobile command center that sat idle in Tamaques Park during the 5K run......the remote tower camera wasn't deployed and it appeared that nobody was inside the unit. Police Captain Chris Battiloro was seen standing outside the $300,000 command center monitoring the days race along with other officers cruising around in an all-terrain vehicle.
At least the police officer backing up the mobile command center, onto the basketball courts, didn't back into a concrete backboard post, reminiscent of a past mishap in Tamaques Park by the WPD's elite CRTU (Community Response Tactical Unit).
Years later, the Town still hasn't replaced the damaged post.
So look for the mobile command center at a non-emergency event near you like a street fair or maybe a block party.
Maybe the acquisition of a military helicopter, by Westifled, is next under the government surplus program.
Wayman can commute to work by air to avoid the heavy Lawrence Ave. traffic and crossing guard at Dudley Ave.
The number of times the mobile command center has been deployed for a Westfield emergency, during the four years Westfield has owned it, can be counted on one hand.
Wasteful spending on display.
Probably similar to when the NJSP fly Christie to his kids recreational baseball games in the helicopter that costs us $2500.00 per hour. Under the guise of "training and operational preparedness." Zod might as well use the toys we bought him!!
ReplyDeleteI saw the race was potentially being run only in the park because DPW hadn't cleared the neighborhood streets. The promoters said 24 hours before that the town couldn't guarantee the street would be cleared. The Town not committing to clearing the streets contributed to a smaller turn out of runners (524 finishers vs. 730 the year prior). In the end they were able to run in the streets which is good but why did the town even hesitate to commit to clearing about 1.2 miles of roadway to make them safe? I was really embarrased as a resident to see the SWAT Team thing parked and other officers racing around on that ATV. Granted a runner died last year but I don't think we needed a SWAT Team there as a result. I wonder how much of my entry fee went towards unnecessary police presence? Races in other towns don't use it like a show of force. Why do we? And I don't buy the training exercise excuse.
ReplyDeleteA show of force?
DeleteNot Westfield
A 76 year old man died in 2013.
ReplyDeleteThe Westfield rescue squad is typically on scene during the race.
The MSOC was there for one reason and one reason only. So Battiloro and his contingency can stay warm during the event.
ReplyDeleteThe function within the MSOC can be done without it. Radio transmissions can be made and received via handheld or vehicle radios. It isn’t like they operate on different channels during these large events.
On top of that, first aid equipment can be stored within the various vehicles utilized by the department not including that of the first aid squad.
You’re welcome.