The huge blizzard in New Jersey could drop as much as three feet of snow on New Jersey. Watch video
SOUTH BRUNSWICK -- Faced with an impending storm and the possibility of long, grueling, freezing hours of work, the South Brunswick Police Department came up with a solution: rent out a block of hotel rooms.
The officers will be working 12- to 16-hour shifts, so the move is a way to boost morale and get better rested officers. With a significant discount from the Courtyard Marriott by exit 8A of the Turnpike, it's also cost-effective, the police chief, Raymond Hayducka, said. It'll cut down on overtime.
"We need round the clock support and it was more economical and helps morale to provide them hotel rooms," Hayducka said.
Many of the hotel's previous guests had checked out early on Monday, Hayducka said.
Eight officers are currently at the hotel, and 15 will be there by the time all is said and done, Captain James Ryan said. The weather is expected to affect operations until Monday.
As of noon, a foot of snow had fallen on the township, with much more to come. Police have already been dealing with vehicles stuck in the snow, so police said no vehicles should be on the roadway or parked on the streets.
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Residents can see how much snow fell in their backyard by clicking here. Nearly 100,000 people in New Jersey are without power, though Middlesex County has not borne the brunt of those outages.
Nevertheless, people need to take precautions, because it's not over yet.
"Conditions are hazardous and people need to stay off the roads and give the plow crews time to work," Hayducka said.
Brian Amaral may be reached at bamaral@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @bamaral44. Find NJ.com on Facebook.