Officials Press for More Education on Lightning Detection System

It's not Ridgewood teams that are flouting the 'lightning' rules, according to officials.

Following concerns raised by residents weeks ago, OEM Director Jeremy Kleiman and Deputy Director Brian Pullman said they believe teams from outside Ridgewood are the parties responsible for not vacating the field when lightning is detected within 10 miles.

When lightning is detected nearby, lights and sirens go off at the fields, instructing participants to seek shelter. Coaches and others signed up receive alerts on their smartphones and e-mail when lightning is detected.

According to Councilwoman Bernadette Walsh, Ridgewood doesn't have an enforcement mechanism to kick people out when they choose not to vacate the field. That should change, she concluded. If teams from outside of Ridgewood don't abide by the rules, they shouldn't have the privilege of playing in town, she said. 

Kleiman had a different view, telling council officials education was a more appropriate than ordinances and enforcement.

Though the manufacturer has gone out of business, the village still plans on installing lightning detectors at nine remaining village fields, including Brookside, Glen, Orchard, Citizens, GW, Ridge, Willard, Habernickel, and Kenilworth.