To the Editor:
On Thursday, Dec. 22, while I was completing my Christmas shopping in Bayonne, I witnessed a school bus full of handicapped grammar school students, who attend our Bayonne public schools, and a black car get into a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of West 34th Street and Kennedy Boulevard. I immediately reached for my cell phone to call the 911 communications call center. Even though I retired as a law enforcement officer five years ago from the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office, I must admit I did get a bit excited while I was communicating with the dispatcher about the situation at hand while in my vehicle.
After I hung up with the dispatcher, I got out of my vehicle to survey the situation and to see if any of the children were hurt. Before I could get to the school bus, a police officer, who I know, Officer Lauren Tobey-Brattole, arrived on the scene. This was less than one minute after I hung up the phone with the 911 dispatcher. Less than 30 seconds later, two McCabe ambulances arrived and then moments later several police and fire vehicles arrived. Even fire chief Rogers and EMS chief Mickey McCabe were there in less than five minutes. Assistant Superintendent of Schools Leo Smith arrived moments later. Everyone worked in unison to see that the students were safe. The medical and fire personnel assessed each student as well as the driver of the bus, two school bus aides, the driver of the black car, and his granddaughter, the passenger.
Yes, with Christmas fast approaching, no one was hurt, which indeed makes this the Bayonne Christmas miracle on 34th Street, thanks to the swift and prompt response from all those involved at the scene. This is one of the reasons, I must unequivocally state, that I am proud to live in Bayonne for two decades now.
It is the caring public safety personnel that serve our city 24/7 every day that makes the difference about living in Bayonne. To public safety director Jason O’Donnell and our city’s chief executive Mayor Mark A. Smith, you should be proud to know that our city’s public safety personnel are second to none.
Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy, prosperous New Year to all!
CHRISTOS M. GENES
Retired Lieutenant of the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office