Wayland Police Reach Out To Islamic Center, Send Assistance to Boston

The bombings at Monday's Boston Marathon occurred many miles from Wayland, but their effects are being felt throughout Metrowest and well beyond.

And the Wayland Police Department is doing what needs to be done to lend a hand.

Wayland Police Chief Robert Irving said that two members of his department, Sgt. Sean Gibbons and Officer Jennifer Ordway, were called upon to fulfill their roles with the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council (MetroLEC).

MetroLEC is a consortium of local police departments and law enforcement agencies that cooperate to provide "unique and highly specialized law enforcement resources to all of its member communities," according to one member website.

Irving said that Gibbons is a member of the MetroLEC SWAT team and Ordway is part of the Rapid Response Team.

Both Gibbons and Ordway responded to Boston Monday night, Irving said, and were released Tuesday morning around 6 a.m. with instructions to return Tuesday night. Irving said he knows that Ordway was part of the contingent providing additional security at Boston area hospitals and he was unsure what Gibbons' specific role entails.

"The fact that we have these law enforcement councils, it makes for a very organized response for us to provide assistance," Irving explained. "I can assure you, the people of our town, many of whom run in the Boston Marathon, appreciate the fact that we are assisting.

"In our own small way, our two officers are part of the effort to make sure Boston is safe over the next few days."

But Wayland officers are also responding closer to home. In particular, Irving said, he has talked with the president of the Islamic Center of Boston and assured him that police will be especially visible near the center on Boston Post Road in the coming days.

Irving said the rumors regarding who could be responsible for the marathon bombings prompted him to reach out to the ICB.

"We do increase our presence there, mostly just for the comfort of the people that go there," Irving said. "It reminds me of after 9/11, I did the same thing. I want to make sure they understand we'll be extra vigilant and make sure their people and property are safe."

It's important to note that no suspects had been named as of the writing of this article, but unsubstantiated rumors have been rampant.

Following 9/11, the community's response to the ICB was one of camraderie and love, with individuals dropping off flowers and cards.

Irving said he doesn't expect there to be any problems, but "Police will continue to be there in case any ill-advised people go there and feel like they're doing restitution."

Patch reached out to the ICB for comment, but was unsuccessful as of Tuesday night. The ICB did release an announcement Tuesday expressing condolences for the victims of the bombings and outlining options for individuals to donate funds through the ICB.

"The Islamic Center of B​​oston, Wayland (ICB Wayland) extends its heartfelt condolences to the families who lost loved ones in the tragic bombings at [Monday's] Boston Marathon," the announcement reads. "We pray for the victims and their families and for the many injured.

"ICB Wayland condemns all violence, and encourages our community to provide support to the affected victims as and where needed."

Cash or checks (memo: "for marathon victims and familes) can be dropped off at the center or mailed to Islamic Center of Boston, 126 Boston Post Road, Wayland, MA 01778. The ICB is also accepting donations online. Collected funds will be given to "organizations that are providing disaster assistance or medical care to the bombing victims."

Tell Us: Do you feel safe in Wayland or did Monday's events shake your sense of security even outside the city?