Borough Police: 'Go Home, Stay Indoors'

Chatham Borough Police have a message for residents.

"Go home," Lt. Brian Gibbons said Tuesday morning. "Stay indoors."

Gibbons and Chief Philip J. Crosson said utility wires are down all over Chatham Borough, and not a single one has been de-energized by JCP&L.

"Until we can get the lines de-energized and clipped, go home," Gibbons said.

Pedestrian and motor vehicle traffic has noticeably increased Tuesday morning as residents began to explore their neighborhoods after Hurricane Sandy passed through.

"Don't go looking around. Just wait it out," Gibbons said. "There are utility lines down all over the walkway, front yards, back yards. Even telephone and cable lines can be energized, and with the wet ground, they could be fatal."

Local police, the Department of Public Works and JCP&L are working together to get power lines and trees cleared from roadways, but police say it is not yet safe for people to walk or drive around.

Increased traffic also keeps police, firefighters and the Chatham Emergency Squad from responding to emergencies in town.

Crosson estimated over 50 trees are down throughout the borough, with damage to homes and impassable streets throughout town.

"I've never seen a storm like this," Crosson said.