Jersey Reacts To Killing Of Bin Laden

The news of Osama bin Laden's death spread quickly across North Jersey late Sunday and early Monday, as a state which lost more than 650 residents in the 9/11 attacks – 147 of them from Bergen County – cheered the terror mastermind’s slaying at the hands of American soldiers.

Reaction was swift and almost universal: Exultation that the United States' most elusive foe was dead, and dead as a result of U.S. action.

"Obviously the terror attacks of 9/11 hit very close to home not only for the many lives in Wyckoff that were lost, but also for our very own Dana Hannon, who was formerly a Wyckoff fireman and was a new York city fireman who was lost in the attacks," Wyckoff Fire Chief Mike Rose said. "This news with Osama Bin Laden being killed … it’s some justice to combat the injustice that was done on that terrible day for the families who lost loved ones."

Hannon, one of 11 Wyckoff residents killed in the attacks, was a 29-year-old captain with the Wyckoff Fire Department as well as a firefighter with Engine Company 26 in the New York City Fire Department.

There was no immediate word about whether security into New York would be tightened Monday in the aftermath of bin Laden’s death. New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly told officers to be on alert despite not having information about any specific threat.

NJ Transit released a statement early Monday afternoon reminding residents “If you see something, say something.”  

“We urge customers who see suspicious activity or unattended packages at stations, aboard trains or buses, or near transit facilities to call the NJ Transit security hotline at 1-888-TIPS-NJT or notify a NJ Transit police officer.  All calls are investigated, and all information is confidential. 

 The NJTPD maintains close communication with the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, the FBI, and agencies at the municipal, county, state and federal levels. Police activity may include random baggage screening, K-9 deployment, plainclothes and uniformed patrols and community outreach. 

"I think Obama did a wonderful job in executing his plan to determine the whereabouts and location of Osama," said George Davis of Ridgewood. "I think that he will continue to serve our country in the most dignified manner that he possibly can."

Alex Randi, also of Ridgewood, expressed that he was pleased Bin Laden was killed.

"I love the fact that he was caught," he said.

Derreck Williams, who works at MacMurphy’s Bar in Ridgewood, said people were jovial when they saw the news on television sets.

"It was only a matter of time," Williams said. “It's just so weird that it took so long."

A stagehand in New York City on the production of Billy Elliot, Richard Fullum said he was at The Blarney Stone in Times Square when he heard the news.

"I did a doubletake, it was just unbelievable. It's really happening," he said. Fullum said The Blarney Stone "was going crazy." He said that his commute back to Ridgewood featured an overwhelming outpouring of emotion. People, he said, were cheering on the subways and at Secaucus Junction train station, crowding around the small bar.

"Knowing their tears," he said of victims’ families, "it just filled a void."

The president said that the U.S. had been tracking bin Laden for months and finally located him in a residence in Abbottabad, Pakistan.

"Today, at my direction, the United States launched a targeted operation. ... After a firefight, [soldiers] killed Osama bin Laden and took custody of his body," Obama said in an historic address to the nation.

“On nights like this one, we can say that justice has been done," the president added.

"I want to commend President Obama's Administration for its commitment and dedication to finally bringing Osama bin Laden to justice," Governor Christie said late Sunday. "As the former U.S. Attorney and now Governor of New Jersey, I speak for all the families of this state who have courageously endured the unspeakable and devastating consequences of terrorism.

"There is hardly a life that has gone untouched in New Jersey by the horrifying assault on American soil that took place on September 11th and today, after years of waiting, justice has finally been delivered."

Said US Senator Robert Menendez, “As a nation, we may all feel some measure of closure that justice was accomplished. ...  My thoughts and prayers, along with those of all New Jerseyans, are with those who lost family and friends on 9/11. Hopefully they can find some solace and a measure of closure today."

U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg said that the “civilized world” will have “great satisfaction” and called bin Laden “one of the worst killers in the history of man.”

“He was a ruthless terrorist responsible for a savage mission that killed thousands of innocent Americans and others around the world,” Lautenberg said. “Now we must be particularly diligent and let the message get out that we we’ll do whatever is necessary to stop this kind of madness.”

Franklin Lakes lost three residents on Sept. 11, 2001:

• Thomas J. Cahill, 36, a securities trader at Cantor Fitzgerald.
• Frank Deming, 47, a practice director at Oracle Corp.
• Steven Schlag, 41, Cantor Fitzgerald

The borough's 9/11 Memorial is located behind Borough Hall on deKorte drive at Memorial Pond.