Law Enforcement Operation Near School Raises Questions In Essex County Town

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Fairfield’s police chief has issued a statement about a recent law enforcement operation that raised some questions among local residents.

“It has been brought to my attention that many residents are making inquiries about law enforcement operations that took place on Knoll Road,” Police Chief Anthony Manna reported Wednesday.

“I wanted to provide our citizens with as much information as I possibly could and to put to rest any fears or misunderstandings they may have,” Manna said.

The police chief continued:

"This morning, the Fairfield Police Department was made aware of a law enforcement operation that was to take place in Fairfield on Knoll Road by an agency which I will not identify. This agency did not request the assistance of the Fairfield Police Department, and I do not know the nature of the investigation. This law enforcement agency was aware of the proximity of Stevenson School to their target location and the arrival times of students. It is my understanding that this law enforcement agency waited to perform their law enforcement operation until the time when children would no longer be arriving at school. At that time, they commenced their law enforcement operation which included blocking Knoll Road. During that time, it is my understanding that some students and staff were enroute to a field trip and witnessed this law enforcement activity."

"Since the Fairfield Police Department was not involved in the planning or execution of this law enforcement operation, we did not have the ability to make any decisions regarding its implementation," Manna wrote.

"However, what I will say is that the law enforcement agency that carried out this operation is extremely professional and versed in such activity, and I can guarantee that had they felt any members of the public were in danger, the operation would not have been conducted in the successful manner that it was," the chief added.

Several people thanked Manna for his statement.

“I give my full support to any and all law enforcement,” a commenter wrote.

Other people were left with lingering questions.

“Don't think it's right an agency is allowed to conduct a raid like that in a residential area and they can decline to identify themselves,” another commenter wrote. “I understand not disclosing an ongoing investigation, but not disclosing who they were is very wrong.”

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