'Only funny because it's true': See Morris County police's comedic snowstorm warning
As the state braces for a nor'easter, some Morris County officials are using humor to bear the storm and spread safety information.
Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency as of 5 p.m. on Friday, but for a week prior, forecasters went back and forth on expected snow accumulation some giving numbers ranging from a few inches to more than a foot.
The Roxbury Township Police Department and the Morris County Office of Emergency Management took to social media and had a bit of fun with the uncertainty.
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"We are expecting anywhere from 0 to 72 inches, with no start or end time…kinda par for the course these days," posted the Roxbury Township Police Department on Facebook.
"Many of our seniors in town could use a hand getting their sidewalks clear. Get your kids out there, if they hesitate, tell them then you’re going to spend all afternoon learning TikTok dances and threaten to post them, watch how fast they grab the shovel. Magic," the post reads.
Residents were reminded not to park on the street to allow for plowing or else the workers "can’t plow, you will be the one responsible for your road looking like a halfpipe at the 2022 Winter Olympics, your neighbors will hate you."
The writer behind the police department's humor prefers to remain anonymous but appreciates "all the love." The writer said humor is what brings the community together.
"Humor is the one thing that brings everyone together and our motto here is it’s only funny because it’s true," the writer said. "Our police department has a great relationship with our community, so we feel very comfortable talking with them like we’re all friends."
The writer also said the goal is to find "the balance between informative and fun" with the department's social media posts. The writer also thanked the department's chief for allowing the posts on the official Facebook page with roughly 14,000 followers.
"Being a police officer is challenging, but what people don’t realize is that cops are really funny," the writer said. "Occasionally we get social media provokers, but everyone has a bad day, and we get it, they probably got a ticket from us like 25 years ago…no hard feelings."
The department wove in more serious reminders as well, including the need for residents to clear roads and shovel sidewalks as Morris County is under a winter storm warning from the National Weather Service
Also on Facebook, the Morris County Office of Emergency Management referred to Friday's light snow as the "pre-game show" and the expected winter storm as "the main event."
The storm is forecast to begin Friday night and could continue all the way until Saturday evening. Snowfall amounts across Morris County range from 4 to 6 inches with some models showing 7 to 11 inches over eastern areas, and 2 to four inches with some models showing 4 to 8 inches over western areas, according to the department.
Morris County residents can stay updated throughout the day by checking the Morris County Office of Emergency Management Facebook page. The Roxbury Police Department will also provide updates on social media as needed. Officials expect snowfall rates of more than an inch per hour are possible during the overnight hours into Saturday. The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management has advised people to stay home during the storm. Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency on Friday.
Jessie Gomez is a local reporter for DailyRecord.com and NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
Email: jgomez@gannettnj.com
Twitter: @jessiereport
This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: NJ snow: Roxbury Police Department hilariously warns of nor'easter
