Local police to the rescue in Louisiana

Woodbury —Ted Jones didn't have time to return a phone call Wednesday night. The retired Woodbury police chief was riding in the back of an Army truck, helping with relief efforts in hurricane-ravaged Louisiana. Jones and another retired chief, Ted Dalesandro of Tuxedo, hooked up with five members of the local police Regional Tactical Team: Woodbury's Sergeant Clifford Weeks; officers Kevin Phillips, John Bourke, and Chad Quackenbush; and Harriman's Sergeant Jeff Mahran. They headed for the deluged Gulf Coast state on Labor Day with two motor homes, a generator, a boat, a 4-by-4 marked police vehicle, and a police trailer. They made the 25-hour journey without any problems until they reached their destination — which was "complete devastation," said Woodbury Police Chief Robert Kwiatkowski. They were led in by a sheriff's deputy to the operation center. Their seven- to 10-day mission is to provide security for the relief-and-rescue operation. Their presence enables the existing police force to rest up, re-equip ,and take care of personal matters. This past Wednesday, their mission was to help in the recovery of bodies. Kwiatkowski said the entire team is well trained for this very hazardous duty. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will re-imburse Woodbury for its officers' salaries. Donations paid for the gas needed for the trip. Stores in Woodbury Common donated toys, boots, clothes, and other items. Wal-Mart also got high marks from the Woodbury chief for their donations. For the team, the effort is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will give its members first-hand knowledge if a disaster should ever happen here, Kwiatkowski said..