New Jersey Responds To Dallas Police Shootings

Officials across New Jersey expressed condolences, and police departments said Friday that they would be on high alert, following overnight shootings in Dallas that left five police officers dead.

“Mary Pat and I are sick and heartbroken, as our thoughts and prayers are with the officers killed and injured in yesterday’s vicious shootings, along with their family and friends," Gov. Chris Christie said in a statement posted online. "The people of New Jersey mourn with the City of Dallas and the Dallas law enforcement community. Brave police officers all across this country who protect us on a daily basis deserve to be supported by all Americans. We must unite as a country and recommit ourselves to law and order, safety for our citizens and respect for each other and reject the hatred and violence behind these attacks.”

Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose told NJ.com that police will be "more vigilant" at protests planned in the city this weekend.

"We are going to ensure that people have their First Amendment rights," he told the website. "But, we have to make sure security (is in place) in case of any copycats."

State Acting Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino encouraged residents to hold peaceful demonstrations. He stressed the need for cooperation between citizens and law enforcement officers.

“Law enforcement and community leaders from across New Jersey have resolved to continue to work together to ensure that people have the opportunity to demonstrate in a peaceful and productive manner, reducing tensions rather than raising them, following the shootings of police officers in Texas, as well as the officer-involved shootings in Minnesota and Louisiana, Porrino said in a statement. "Now is the time to use the bonds we have built to unite and ensure that these tragedies are not compounded in our communities.

U.S. Rep. Tom MacArthur said he wants to see Congress act on a bill that would make anyone who kills or attempts to kill a law enforcement officer, firefighter or other first responder an aggravating factor in death penalty determinations.

The bill, HR 814, known as the Thin Blue Line Act, is awaiting action by the House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.

"We need to do this to deter this kind of event," MacArthur said, referring to the Dallas shootings, which he called "a clear assassination."

"Our men and women deserve protection," he said. "This kind of tragedy (the Dallas shootings) can happen anywhere."

Here is a sampling of other reaction from around New Jersey. Patch will update this as more reaction comes in:

Camden County Police Chief Scott Thomson:

“I have connected with (Dallas Police Chief David Brown) to extend our thoughts and prayers for the tragic loss of his officers and their families,” Thomson said Friday morning. “The sacrifice and heroism displayed by the Dallas police officers was extremely remarkable as they rushed towards hell bent sociopaths that were firing assault rifles on the downtown city streets. Although this is the deadliest incident in American policing since 9/11, their courage and grace under fire saved many, many lives of both civilian and sworn officers. Our officers will wear mourning bands over our shields in honor of DPD.”

Gloucester Township Police Department:

Members of the Gloucester Township Police Department are also wearing mourning bands to honor the fallen officers of the Dallas PD and DART.

It also serves as a “symbol that we share in the grief of Dallas area law enforcement community and support police officers throughout our entire country,” police said Friday morning. “Please keep the fallen and wounded officers and their families in your thoughts and prayers.”