I am probably the only one here who lived in Lakewood over 30 years ago. Lakewood was very welcoming to chassidim.
There weren't that many. Rav Osher Chaim Lieberman was 1 of the 4 poskim in Yeshiva. The streimal policy is overblown. The Chassidim were loved and respected members of the community.
Lakewood believe it or not used to be a lovely peaceful town.
I have nothing against chassidim moving here
My only problem was creating a chassidic exclusive community.
If the Litvaks that originally occupied Lakewood wouldn't have been Ahavas Chinam type people, the Chassidim would have never came. (Just like there has yet to be a Litvak in KJ).