By Beth
I drove home from work today like usual, stopped at WalMart to pick up a few things and took my normal route home. On my way, I noticed traffic was very heavy and stopped ahead. I really didn't feel like waiting so I took the "back way" home. Before I could turn off, however, I noticed several police cars heading to the intersection (where the blinking yellow light is) and that there were hastily arranged road blocks and ROAD CLOSED signs up. Hmmm..
I got home with little difficulty, those who know their way around took the same route I did so there was more traffic but no big deal. I was home, I could change and eat and wait for the kids to get home and begin the crazy Thursday night schedule (soccer, dance, diving, etc.).
But when I pulled into my driveway, I noticed security/state police blocking off the intersection leading away from my house, back towards the blinking yellow light. I was curious but a little more hungry at that point. Figuring it was just an accident since that is a really bad intersection, I thought nothing more of it. Then I heard the helicopters. Well, I guess I really didn't hear them at first. I'm used to them flying over, but they kind of sound different when they hover in one place for a long time. "Must be a really bad accident." I thought.
At this point I am a little concerned, not just for the safety of the individuals involved in this alleged accident, but for my children who will be coming home on the bus soon. Well, just Ben really. Kara plays field hockey so I had to start worrying about how to get to her school to pick her up. Ben's bus drops him off at the top of the street, right next to the road block. Then I'm told by the state police officer outside my house that the school is on "lock down" and students will be dismissed eventually.
Then I get this text on my phone: Police activity in Langhorne Borough near the blinking light at Bellevue Ave. Students are safe at school. See website for more information.
Now I did not panic, though I was starting to worry a bit more. I checked the website, hoping it would be more informative. It said the same as the text only adding that now the State Police had given permission for them to dismiss normally. But bus 13 (guess whose son was on that bus?) would either be re-routed to allow drop off of kids in their normal spot or we would have to meet them at the school. By now, more roads had been closed, the helicopters were still buzzing around and I had received a call from my brother about the SWAT team near Route 1, also right up the road.
I called my mom at work, thinking maybe she knew something I didn't. No answer. Called her cell. No answer. Called again. And again. No answer. So now I am thinking that someone has gone off the deep end and is cornered with hostages at the intersection 20 yards away and will be shot dead by the SWAT team any second. (Still not panicking, see?!)
My mother is probably tied up in a sack and being thrown on the RR tracks, but I'm not panicking. Still no word on what this is all about, or if Ben will get off the bus at our house or will be taken to the school or will have to fight his way through a gunfight with nothing but a paper clip and some shaving cream for his defense. Kara was still safe playing field hockey, I wasn't worried about her safety at this point, just how to get her home. I go out to talk to the police again. Some guy said hi to me, by name, but I had no time for him, I have no idea who he was, standing there with the police. I was more concerned with the man holding my mother hostage and my children being trapped at school or on a bus near dangerous criminal masterminds and a rampaging rhino. I got nothing new from him. Big surprise.
So after locating everything in the house that could possibly be used as a weapon, smearing myself with black mascara, eyeliner and any other black substance I could get my hands on, and getting all camo clothing out I began moving stealthily toward the intersection to take out the crazy man! I was almost there when the police told me that while they appreciate the gesture, they had everything under control and I wasn't allowed to play with their guns. Then mom called so she was obviously not being held hostage anywhere. And a nice parent stopped and told me Ben's bus was at the school. Half hour later everything re-opened.
We are still not sure exactly what happened. I know that a diamond ring worth $17,000 was stolen from the nearby mall, and that someone had barricaded themselves in a house up the street. Don't know if they are connected or not. But we are all safe, and I put my camo and weapons away for another day. The important thing to remember is that I did not panic!!
It was an interesting afternoon.