Borough takes small-town approach to crisis

VERONICA YANKOWSKI Hundreds of people from Fair Haven and surrounding communities gathered at the Fair Haven Fields last Friday for a candlelight vigil for those missing in the World Trade Center tragedy.

FAIR HAVEN — In the face of the tragic events at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11 the borough and its residents did what they had to.

With four residents reported as missing from the attack on the World Trade Center, Fair Haven police stuck close to home to help as the tragedy unfolded. The theory was a simple one — they could do the most good by extending a familiar hand and showing a familiar face at many a doorstep, community facility or function. Many hugs were even doled out by Fair Haven police, who think it’s critical for them to be known as approachable.

Though four officers went to the ferry terminal site in Highlands to assist incoming victims in getting home or just getting over the severe shock of it all, most of the department’s work was done at home.

Only a few miles away from the home front, Police Chief Richard Towler was one of Fair Haven’s finest who went on Sept. 11 to assist the panicked public that haphazardly dove onto the ferry leaving New York City, literally for parts unknown in some cases.

As Towler described it, the shore scene at the Highlands ferry terminal that morning mirrored that of a horror movie replete with walking zombies and a tone riddled with fear and shock. Many were there to see the second plane hit the World Trade Center, he added, "Those poor people. This is such a crisis that no one had time to even adjust to it. It was a shock and it showed in the people coming off the ferries all the way down to family, friends, police, emergency workers and reporters who were there. People were all walking around like zombies. You just couldn’t believe it all. It was truly like a bad dream."

The Fair Haven police on the scene in Highlands assisted in any way they could, giving rides home and to seek medical attention.

Taking it one step further, in the early evening, three borough officers rode on the SeaStreak ferry to both the 34th Street and 11th Street piers to assist with passenger searches, identify passengers and keep family members at bay on the scene in New York. "As we were approaching Tuesday (Sept. 11) evening at about 6 p.m., the ferry personnel said to close the ferry doors because building No. 7 had just collapsed," said Capt. Paul McCue. "There was a dense smell of smoke and just an eerie, sad feeling as you got closer to the scene, but people, I think were, for the most part, amazingly good-hearted and seeing that then and through ’til now is really something to be proud of."

McCue added that just to ease people’s minds later in the week, Detective Daryl Breckenridge traveled on the ferries Sunday and Monday talking to travelers and offering support. More of the same spirit has been funneled through Fair Haven on a continuous basis from the moment the first plane struck.

Back in the borough, visits have been continuously made by police sharing concern. Residents are even coming to headquarters to show support in any way they can.

"There have been hugs, too," McCue recounted. "The whole atmosphere is something to be proud of here. I worked the Wednesday (Sept. 12) through Sunday day shift. Everyone is being nicer to one another, waving, stopping to talk, sharing sad stories and even letting people ahead to make turns first in traffic. Everyone’s reaching out, and it’s very comforting for us as well as the residents. I’m glad we can be here. The overall feeling of camaraderie is really great."

Recollecting the day the crisis ensued, Chief Towler said, police, including himself, reached out to schools, hospitals, churches and the residents right away. Those whose family members were known to be missing, he said, were paid visits by officers and assured that they were there to help or just talk. "We’re keeping a list of those reported missing at the police station. We’ll keep an eye on the victims’ families and anyone else affected by this horrible ordeal," he commented, emphasizing that "we feel the best way for us to help is to keep our doors open to the public. We’ll do anything we can to help. Sometimes it helps people to just see a familiar face. We are here," he continued.

Fair Haven hosted a candlelight vigil last Friday at 7 p.m. in Fair Haven Fields on Ridge Road. McCue is one officer who’s become a familiar face during this crisis outside Fair Haven due to a special talent. He plays bagpipes and is honored to go wherever his music is requested. McCue has already been seen at many a vigil playing his bagpipes and intends to keep himself available for any service that comes along in the future.

He not only played at Fair Haven’s vigil on Friday, but was in Holmdel on Sunday and was to play at a memorial for someone in town Thursday.

McCue took time to credit Garrett Bess of Hance Road for putting together last Friday evening’s service in Fair Haven Fields within 24 hours, which, he said, "looked to me like several hundred people attended from not only Fair Haven, but surrounding communities. It was a show of the strength in a small community banding together for support," he said.

McCue added that representatives from all area churches were present for spiritual support as well as the Congregation B’nai Israel synagogue, Rumson.

Donations were also being taken the day after the attack at the firehouse on River Road. Towler encourages any resident with concerns during this time of crisis to contact the department for assistance.

— Elaine Van Develde