Warren County Commissioner Director Kern tours Blairstown Township to better understand the communication challenges first responders face

BLAIRSTOWN TOWNSHIP, NJ (Warren County) – Warren County Commissioner Director James R. Kern III on Monday toured Blairstown Township to better understand the communication challenges first responders face.

Blairstown Police Department Chief Scott Johnsen drove Commissioner Kern to multiple locations in Blairstown Township where police and first responders have issues using their radios and communications.

In Warren County’s 2024 spending plan, the Board of County Commissioners authorized $3.3 million in new funding for upgrading the 911 tower system, which combined with funding authorized previously, will provide more than $5.2 million for the 911 communications system upgrade throughout Warren County.

“I’m grateful to Chief Johnsen for giving me a tour of Blairstown and helping me to better understand the communication challenges their region of Warren County faces,” Kern said. “Over the next two years, we anticipate the infrastructure improvements we are making will enable police and first responders to do their jobs quicker and safer.”