Ridgewood Reacts to Killing of Bin Laden

Obviously the terror attacks of 9/11 hit very close to home not only for the many lives in Wyckoff that were lost, but also for our very own Dana Hannon, who was formerly a Wyckoff fireman and was a new York city fireman who was lost in the attacks," Wyckoff Fire Chief Mike Rose said. "This news with Osama Bin Laden being killed … it’s some justice to combat the injustice that was done on that terrible day for the families who lost loved ones."

Hannon, one of 11 Wyckoff residents killed in the attacks, was a 29-year-old captain with the Wyckoff Fire Department as well as a firefighter with Engine Company 26 in the New York City Fire Department.

There was no immediate word about whether security into New York would be tightened Monday in the aftermath of bin Laden’s death. New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly told officers to be on alert despite not having information about any specific threat.

"I think Obama did a wonderful job in executing his plan to determine the whereabouts and location of Osama," said George Davis of Ridgewood. "I think that he will continue to serve our country in the most dignified manner that he possibly can."

Alex Randi, also of Ridgewood, expressed that he was pleased Bin Laden was killed.

"I love the fact that he was caught," he said.

Dereck Williams, who works at MacMurphy’s Bar in Ridgewood and was a member of the U.S. Navy, said people were jovial when they saw the news on television sets.

"It was only a matter of time," Williams said. “It's just so weird that it took so long."

A stagehand in New York City on the production of Billy Elliot, Richard Fullum said he was at The Blarney Stone in Times Square when he heard the news.

"I did a doubletake, it was just unbelievable. It's really happening," he said. Fullum said The Blarney Stone "was going crazy." He said that his commute back to Ridgewood featured an overwhelming outpouring of emotion. People, he noted, were cheering on the subways and at Secaucus Junction train station, crowding around the small bar.

"Knowing their tears," he said of victims’ families, "it just filled a void.

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