By JACQUELINE DURETT
Correspondent
EDISON — Residents were not happy with the township police department’s intent to use a building on the Camp Kilmer property for active shooter training.
At the March 9 Township Council meeting, resident Esther Nemitz said she wanted to know why Building 1072 on the former Army camp was the site chosen for the training when it has been specifically earmarked for recreational use.
“My understanding was that this building was supposed to be used for recreational purposes. I don’t think this sounds like a recreational purpose,” she said.
Township Police Chief Thomas Bryan said the building was chosen because it was conducive to the training being done. Township Attorney William Northgrave said he has confirmed that the training does not violate the federal restrictions of the property.
According to the township resolution to approve the police department to use the building for the training, 1072 is slated for demolition.
Officials said that Woodbridge police, who had a grant for active shooter training, came to Edison to source a space for the exercise, and invited the Edison department to participate as well. A township spokesman said the Woodbridge department has already completed its one-day use of the site for training exercises.
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, an active shooter is an “individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area,” and as such “the immediate deployment of law enforcement is required to stop the shooting and mitigate harm to victims.”
At the meeting, Nemitz said she also was concerned that the training could be a safety threat for children who live nearby.
However, Bryan disagreed. “The training presents no danger whatsoever to anyone. It’s self-contained,” he said, stressing that no live rounds will be fired as part of the exercise, which is akin to what he called “playacting.” Bryan went on to say that the training “enables us and assists us to be able to help children if there is a need for that.”
Northgrave added that the two police departments’ need for the facility is limited to less than a week. According to Sgt. Robert Dudash, similar training has been held in 1072 in the past.
Nemitz also asked how these plans impact prior proposed recreational uses for the site. Council president Michael Lombardi said this should have no impact.
Residents Maryann Hennessey and Irene Wall also spoke on the issue. They agreed with Nemitz that the building wasn’t the right location for this training.
“I don’t see how terrorism training has anything to do with recreational purposes,” Hennessey said, adding that she’s concerned about veterans who may live nearby and whether such an exercise might unsettle them.
Wall asked for documentation regarding how the determination was made that the site was appropriate to use for this purpose. Lombardi said he didn’t think a formal report on the issue was prepared.
“Business as usual, Chief Bryan,” she said.
