East Brunswick: Shelter In Place

In East Brunswick, NJ, 'shelter in place' is a term used to describe the action of seeking safety inside a building, typically a school, in response to a potential threat or emergency. This protocol is typically enacted in response to a 911 call reporting an incident requiring immediate police assistance. For example, in October 2022, East Brunswick High School and Central Elementary School were placed under a 'shelter in place' status following a hoax 911 call. While there are no homeless shelters within the East Brunswick Township limits, there are several located nearby, providing emergency assistance and social services to those facing crisis situations.

Schools in East Brunswick, NJ, have been forced to shelter in place due to hoax 911 calls

On Friday, October 14, 2022, East Brunswick High School and Central Elementary School in East Brunswick, NJ, were forced to shelter in place due to hoax 911 calls. The "swatting" incident involved a false report of an incident at the high school that required immediate police assistance. "Swatting" is a specific type of hoax 911 call intended to provoke a large response from law enforcement, such as a SWAT team.

The superintendent of the schools, Victor Valeski, reported that the 911 police dispatch operator received a call about an incident at the high school, which warranted a large police response. As a result, both the high school and the nearby elementary school were placed in a "shelter in place" status. All students and staff members were reported to be safe, and an investigation revealed that the call was a hoax or "swatting" attempt.

"Swatting" typically involves making false reports of serious incidents, such as hostages about to be executed or bombs about to detonate, in order to elicit a response from law enforcement. According to the FBI, "swatters" engage in these hoaxes for "bragging rights and ego." These hoax calls can place communities in danger by diverting first responders away from genuine emergencies.

Similar "swatting" incidents occurred in several other New Jersey counties on the same day, including Toms River, Barnegat, and Tom Rivers school districts. These incidents highlight the importance of taking precautions to avoid accidental or hoax 911 calls, which can have serious consequences for both the community and first responders.

There are several homeless shelters near East Brunswick, NJ, providing a range of services

Ozanam Men's Shelter, located 4.56 miles outside of East Brunswick in New Brunswick, offers temporary and emergency lodging for homeless men, as well as meals, physical and mental health assessments, crisis counselling, and assistance with housing and employment.

Naomi's Way Transitional Housing, also in New Brunswick and 4.94 miles from East Brunswick, provides support to homeless mothers who are employed or engaged in job training. The facility has 16 one or two-bedroom units, and stays can last up to two years.

Women's Shelters

There are several women's shelters in the area that cater to those impacted by domestic violence and abuse. These include:

• Women Aware in New Brunswick, 4.21 miles from East Brunswick, which offers crisis counselling, referrals, and a 24-hour multilingual helpline.
• 180 Turning Lives Around Inc. in Hazlet, 12.69 miles away, which provides immediate and long-term support for individuals and families affected by domestic violence.
• Safe + Sound Somerset in Hillsborough, 13.17 miles away, offers a short-term, confidential emergency shelter called Victoria's House for women and their children seeking refuge from an abusive living situation.
• Homefirst Interfaith Housing And Family Services in Plainfield, 14.09 miles away, is a non-profit that provides emergency shelter, transitional and affordable permanent housing, and other supportive services.
• Agape House in Somerville, 17.87 miles away, is a 60-bed shelter offering emergency services for homeless families and single individuals, with a focus on achieving self-sufficiency and independent living.
• Womanspace in Lawrenceville, 18.43 miles away, is a leading not-for-profit providing comprehensive services for individuals impacted by domestic and sexual violence.
• Project: Protect - YWCA of Eastern Union County in Elizabeth, 19.51 miles away, offers domestic violence services and a 24-hour hotline.
• Guiding Light House in Jackson, 20.37 miles away, is a transitional home for female veterans, providing housing and supportive services, including coaching to empower their lives.
• Anderson House Inc. in Whitehouse Station, 22.53 miles away, is a residential program for women recovering from alcoholism, drug addiction, and co-occurring disorders, offering quality treatment and life skills development.

Other services in the area include Easterseals Homeless Services in East Brunswick, Rutgers University Behavioral Healthcare in Piscataway, Catholic Charities of Metuchen, and the Interfaith Council for the Homeless of Union County in Plainfield.

Animal Rescue Force is a non-profit organisation in East Brunswick, NJ, that helps find homes for cats and dogs

The organisation has two adoption centres and one viewing centre. One adoption centre is at the shelter site at Sayrebrook Vet Hospital, 1400 Main St. (GPS address 989 Main St), Sayreville, NJ 08873, open Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 3:30 pm. A second adoption centre is located at Petsmart in East Brunswick in Midstate Mall, 300 State Rte 18, 08816, and is also open Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 3:30 pm. The viewing centre is at the Englishtown Auction, 90 Wilson Rd, Englishtown, NJ 07726, in a grey building, open Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 1:30 pm.

Animal Rescue Force holds various fundraising events throughout the year, including a Psychic/Paranormal Fair, a Metuchen Fair, a 50/50 Raffle, East Brunswick Day, and a Tricky Tray Fundraiser. The organisation also receives grants from other animal welfare supporters, such as Maddie's Fund and the Pedigree Foundation.

Animal Rescue Force provides a service for owners who need to find a new home for their pets, as well as advice for owners who are having problems with their pets. The organisation encourages owners to spay and neuter their pets and can provide information on low-cost options. They also have a procedure in place for those who wish to surrender their pets.

In East Brunswick, NJ, schools have been reported to have sheltered in place following a hoax 911 call, also known as "swatting". This involved a false report of an incident that required immediate police assistance and a large police response.

New Beginnings Animal Rescue is another animal shelter in East Brunswick, NJ, with cats and dogs for adoption

In East Brunswick, NJ, a "shelter in place" is a protocol that involves seeking safety inside a building, typically due to an emergency or perceived threat in the area. For example, schools in East Brunswick may initiate a "shelter in place" in response to a 911 call reporting an incident requiring immediate police assistance.

Now, here's some detailed information on New Beginnings Animal Rescue, an animal shelter in East Brunswick, NJ, with cats and dogs available for adoption:

New Beginnings Animal Rescue (NBAR) is a non-profit, volunteer-run organisation dedicated to providing a safe haven for homeless animals in East Brunswick, NJ. They strive to meet the medical, physical, and emotional needs of the animals in their care. Located at 742 Route 18 North, the shelter offers a range of services, including adoptions, foster care, and assistance for people seeking to find new homes for their pets.

The adoption process at New Beginnings Animal Rescue is straightforward and quick. Potential adopters can meet the pets during open hours or schedule an appointment. The shelter also facilitates meet-and-greets for pets currently in foster homes. The application can be filled out online or via email, and the adoption coordinator works closely with applicants to find the best matches.

The shelter houses both cats and dogs, and their population varies. At the time of one visitor's review, they had approximately 15 cats, and they also had dogs available for adoption. The staff and volunteers at New Beginnings Animal Rescue are described as kind and caring, committed to finding loving homes for the animals. Their hours are typically 12 PM to 5 PM, and they welcome visitors looking to adopt a furry friend or those seeking assistance with pet rehoming.

Garden State Animal Rescue Center is an animal shelter in East Brunswick, NJ, with positive reviews from adopters

The Garden State Animal Rescue Center is a highly-regarded animal shelter in East Brunswick, New Jersey. The shelter has received positive reviews from adopters, who have praised the friendliness of the staff and the joy of dealing with the organisation.

Garden State Animal Rescue Center is a community service/non-profit organisation that facilitates pet adoptions. It is one of several animal shelters in the area, including New Beginnings Animal Rescue, Woodbridge Animal Shelter, and Animal Rescue Force.

Animal Rescue Force, for example, is a private, non-profit organisation established in 1974 to find responsible homes for cats and dogs. It relies on donations and fundraising events run by volunteers for support. Similarly, New Beginnings Animal Rescue provides a safe haven for homeless animals, matching them with qualified, loving adopters.

Adopters have left positive reviews for these shelters, with one person writing about their experience at New Beginnings Animal Rescue:

> "I adopted a little kitty three months ago from New Beginnings. The staff (many volunteer) are kind and caring and genuinely want to find a home for these animals. The shelter is a small little building, but had approximately 15 cats when we visited. They also have dogs up for adoption. The application and approval process is very quick. We went to look for a cat on a Tuesday, selected one that we liked, and filled out a simple application for the little guy. I was approved on the spot to adopt little 10-month-old Logan (who we renamed Coconut.) I brought little Coconut home on Friday, since I needed a few days to buy all the necessary kitty items (litter, food, toys, etc.)".

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