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September 06, 2005
Local cops head to New Orleans

By Dave Richardson
Times Herald-Record
[email protected]

Woodbury – Five local police officers are heading to devastated New Orleans to help bring law and order back to the city.
The five men are all members of the Regional Entry and Containment Team, a 20-officer, SWAT team-like quick reaction force trained to deal with the worst, most dangerous crimes. Led by Woodbury police Sgt. Cliff Weeks, the team, traveling in a pair of motor homes, should be in Covington, La., on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain, by tonight for a 10- to 14-day deployment.
"What exact mission we'll be assigned, we don't know, but they wanted us there as a tactical unit," Weeks said. "It seems like the right thing to do, so we're doing it."
The team will deploy with its weapons and equipment, along with two boats, and will be self-sufficient, Weeks said. He said an outpouring of support from local merchants and the community helped make the trip possible.
Wal-Mart offered donations of food, insect repellent and other goods. Woodbury Common stores Timberland and the North Face donated boots, backpacks and other equipment, and the mall's management rallied other stores to help the team, Weeks said.
Weeks will be leading Woodbury Officers Kevin Phillips, Chad Quackenbush and John Bourke, and Harriman police Sgt. Jeff Mahran on the mission.