West Trenton, N.J. – In response to a request from the State of Maryland, Governor Christie ordered the deployment of 150 troopers and personnel from the New Jersey State Police to assist in the Baltimore area. The request was received late yesterday through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), a mutual aid agreement.  The initial deployment is scheduled for three days and will include troopers to provide for the safety and security of an assigned area, and civilians in supporting roles. 

“No one wants to see communities ripped apart,” said Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman. “We feel we can lend a hand in helping restore the peace.”

“We have assisted other state law enforcement in the past and been, in turn, supported by outside states for our peacekeeping mission in the wake of the Superstorm Sandy devastation. Mutual aid makes all of our agencies stronger as we lean on each other when challenges strike,” said Colonel Rick Fuentes, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police and Director of the State Office of Emergency Management.

The deployed troopers will be gathering at Troop C Headquarters in Hamilton and driving down to Baltimore this evening in buses and several other vehicles. The deployment will be somewhat similar to that which took place as the State Police sent personnel to New Orleans after Hurricanes Katrina and Gustav. The NJSP also sent troopers to Pennsylvania more recently during the manhunt for Eric Frein.

An assessment team of command-level troopers arrived in the Baltimore area last night to pave the way for the full deployment. They interfaced with state and local authorities to begin discussions about a well-defined mission, and to prepare the logistical support such as staging areas and communications. 

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