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Crime & Safety

New Emergency PA System Now Operating at WD Parks

The public address system will broadcast emergency messages when an outdoor hazard or dangerous weather is imminent in the area.

After last week's train derailment and subsequent release of harmful vinyl chloride fumes in Paulsboro, the West Deptford Police Department announced on Tuesday that the township's new Public Address Notification System is now operational in three parks within the township.

The new system consists of towers with an audio system erected at Metropolitan Park, Union Field and RiverWinds. The towers will broadcast an emergency message when a danger is imminent in the area, such as the release of dangerous materials into the air like last week or if dangerous weather is in the area. The West Deptford Police Department and the Gloucester County Communications Center control the towers.

The system was originally scheduled to debut later on this month, but West Deptford Police Chief Craig Mangano said the launch date was moved up after last week's incident.

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West Deptford Police are working to get the message about the new system out to residents in the township, especially in areas around the parks. If a message is broadcast over the towers, the police ask people in the area to listen to the message and take appropriate action immediately.

Mangano said that meetings will be held with West Deptford Little League and homeowners' associations in the areas around the park in the coming weeks. For more information, call the West Deptford Police Department at 856-853-4599.

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