U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04) today commended U.S Attorney Chris Christie and law enforcement officials for the arrest of six men who were plotting a “commando-style” raid on Fort Dix with the intention of “killing as many soldiers as possible,” while strongly reiterating his concerns that Navy housing plans at Earle leave that base open to such an attack.

    “This is a case of thorough and aggressive law enforcement by U.S. Attorney Chris Christie and his team. Through a 16-month surveillance effort, they dotted every ‘i’ and crossed every ‘t’ to ensure that this terror plot did not come to fruition and lead to a loss of lives,” Smith said.

    Smith noted that law enforcement was tipped off of the suspects’ plans by the concerns of a diligent clerk at a store the suspects took a terror training tape they shot to be dubbed.

    “The arrests underscore how vitally important it is that everyday citizens remain vigilant. If something doesn’t look right in these situations, there is a good chance it isn’t,” said Smith, who spoke with Chris Christie via telephone this morning. 

    Meanwhile Smith took the occasion to reiterate his strongest objections to the Navy’s plans to open up military housing at Naval Weapons Station Earle in Monmouth County to the general public—absolutely anyone who wants to live there would be able to under these plans, including potential terrorists.

    “As we have learned from the access one suspect—the pizza delivery driver—had to Fort Dix, terrorists are constantly eyeing new ways to penetrate our military installations. For months this terror cell cased at least four federal facilities and because of proximity, access and knowledge regarding For Dix they felt most ready to make their move there,” Smith said.

    “We must tighten up security at our bases, not make them more accessible for potential terrorists. What the Navy is considering at Earle, is absurd, irresponsible and antithetical to efforts to protect New Jersey’s bases,” Smith said.