West Orange Police 'Unaware' of Potential Threat from Gang Members

ERIC.KIEFER (Patch Staff) contributed to this report.

A spokesman for the Essex County Sheriff’s Office told Patch that the agency is “unware” of any potential threat from gang members following a nationwide warning issued by the Baltimore Police Department on Monday.

The warning – which cautioned law enforcement officers that there is a potential organized gang effort to “take out” cops – is currently being “monitored” by the New Jersey State Police Department.

“Our agents are constantly monitoring for any possible threats to citizens in the state and also to law enforcement in the state,” state police spokesman Gregory Williams told Patch. “Our regional monitoring agency will make notifications if there is a legitimate threat out there.”

In an email to Patch, West Orange Police Chief James Abbott said the department receives real time daily updates on law enforcement matters from the New Jersey State Police Regional Operations Intelligence Center (ROIC) as it relates to officer safety concerns, worldwide significant events or issues, as well as credible posed threats to and/or by racial, ethnic and religious groups.

“While I am following the aftermath of the Baltimore incident as it unfolds I am unaware at this time of the need to take any definitive actions here in West Orange,” Abbott said.

NATIONWIDE WARNING ISSUED

On Monday morning, Baltimore Police sent out a written warning in the aftermath of the April 19 death of Freddie Gray and a national rally against police brutality:

“The Baltimore Police Department/Criminal Intelligence Unit has received credible information that members of various gangs including the Black Guerilla Family, Bloods and Crips have entered into a partnership to ‘take-out’ law enforcement officers. This is a credible threat. Law enforcement agencies should take appropriate precautions to ensure the safety of their officers.”

Over the weekend, the Nation of Islam facilitated a truce between rival gangs the Bloods and the Crips, who united in the rally against police brutality, according to The Daily Beast.