The largest Labor Day parade in New Jersey was canceled Monday after police found small explosive devices near the parade route, NBC News reported. State Governor Phil Murphy was scheduled to march in the parade in South Plainfield.
Monmouth County police began investigating Sunday night after a cooler containing fireworks was found by maintenance workers at Donovan’s Reef in Sea Bright around 11 p.m. Police found and questioned the man who left the cooler, who said he brought them to a concert in the area in hopes they would be set off after the concert.
When he was told he couldn’t set them off, he left the cooler behind. Further investigation of his home nearby found more small explosive devices, which police were concerned might pose a risk to the parade.
There is no evidence that the man intended to use any of the devices during the parade, but police were still concerned enough to cancel the parade.
Man Arrested
The man, Thomas G. Kaiser, was arrested charged with second-degree possession of a destructive device for an unlawful purpose and one count of third-degree possession of a destructive device, USA Today reported.
The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s office announced the arrest. The office also said further charges could be coming as the investigation continues.
The parade was popular with residents and featured Boy and Girl Scout troops, stilt walkers, clowns, uni-cyclists, jugglers and vintage cars as well as marching bands. It is organized by the South Plainfield Public Celebrations Committee.
It would have been the 62nd annual parade this year. Organizers released a statement that they were canceling the event “out of an abundance of caution and due to the potential threat to the community.”
Homemade Devices
Some of the fireworks found on Kaiser’s property were homemade devices that may have made police worried about bombs elsewhere on the property. Recent mass shootings have made authorities concerned about perceived risks to public events like parades and community gatherings.
A missed parade is a small price to pay for safety. Taking safety precautions and making sure laws are followed is infinitely preferable to slapping more gun restrictions on Americans.
Many of the recent mass shootings reported in the news and hyped by Democrats as examples of why more gun control laws are needed would never have happened if investigations would have been done properly when information was discovered.
Enforcing laws, like police did in this instance, should be the first step to handling any type of violence or threats. New laws will not be effective if they are not enforced.
No comments: