On Saturday, January 18th, Jackson residents voted for their new fire district commissioners and fire district budgets.
In Jackson Fire District 2 (Consolidated 1&2), Marty Flemming and Robert Reddington, Jr. won 3 year seats and John Ryan won an unexpired one year term. A strong showing by lifetime resident and community volunteer John Alchevsky fell short.
Voters approved the district budget

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In Jackson Fire District 3, Jackson police office John Seidler won his election against Vincent Nicosia and the district approved the budget.
In Jackson Fire District 4, voters came out to support Wallace Jameson and Ray Torres. Suffering defeats were Jackson Township’s building department head, Barry Olejarz and fire sub-code official, incumbent Ken Byrnes. Brian Ruditsky, a local volunteer firefighter and police officer also lost his bid in the most hotly contested race in the township where district voters voiced their opposition to the political and township establishment candidates.
Voters approved the fire district’s operating budget.
Jackson is broken into three fire districts. Fire districts 2, 3 and 4. Each fire district is independently operated.
After the consolidation of fire districts one and two into fire disctict two, commissioners are now chosen to manage the new consolidated district.
Jackson’s fire districts can seem confusing but if you visit your local fire district website or Facebook page, each provides information on stations in their district and district maps so you can see which district you reside in. All fire districts coordinate with each other during fires and other emergencies.

Photo by Jackson Fire District 3.

A story coming out of Jersey City via the Star Ledger newspaper highlights the increasing absurdity of New Jersey’s bail reform and speedy trial act.

After a known gang member assault a police officer and threatened to shoot cops with an AK-47 if they came around his hood, he asked the judge for a gps monitoring bracelet.

It’s no secret, the criminals of New Jersey know the new system and know how to play it, but most importantly, know that they now have home field advantage here in New Jersey.
According to the New Jersey Bail Reform watchdog page, the perp was released by a judge Friday, no need for a gps bracelet.

Here’s the report from the Star Ledger.

JERSEY CITY — A self-described gang member assaulted a police officer and threatened two others after he was caught stealing more than $500 worth of merchandise from Macy’s, authorities said. A security guard at the Newport Centre mall department store stopped 19-year-old Davonta Barr on Sunday after the teenager ripped security tags and damaged the items…

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Jackson police had another busy weekend with drug related incidents across the township. Here is last weekend’s police blotter published by the Jackson Police Department

Sunday February 18:

– OVERDOSE/FIRST AID: At 1236 hours, Police Officers Candido and Chesney responded to Brook Plaza on the report of an unconscious male laying in the parking lot. The officers located an unconscious 30 year old male and discovered evidence of recent heroin use. Narcan was administered and the male became semi conscious. Fire personnel from Station 55 arrived on scene to assist the male and he was later transported by first aid to an area hospital for treatment.

Saturday February 18:

– CDS ARREST: While on patrol at 0246 hours, Police Officer French conducted a motor vehicle stop with a 2002 Dodge on Bennetts Mills Road after observing motor vehicle violations. Upon speaking with the driver and detecting the odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle, a search was conducted which resulted in the recovery of marijuana. The 20 year old male driver was placed under arrest and charged with possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled dangerous substance while operating a motor vehicle and motor vehicle violations. He was processed and released on summons pending a court appearance.
– CDS ARREST: While on patrol at 2353 hours, Police Officer Daniels conducted a motor vehicle stop with a 2002 Saturn on Botanical Way. While speaking with the 25 year old male driver, the officer made observation of items in view inside the vehicle which were consistent with narcotics use. A search resulted in the recovery of multiple hypodermic syringes and items consistent with injecting heroin and prescription Suboxone. The male was placed under arrest and charged with possession of Suboxone without a prescription, possession of hypodermic syringes, possession of drug paraphernalia and motor vehicle offenses. He was processed and released on summons pending a court appearance.

Sunday February 19:

– DISPUTE/WARRANT ARREST: At 0101 hours, Police Officers Roth, Basso and Kafton responded to a residence on Cottonwood Drive on the report of a dispute. During the investigation, a 36 year old male was placed under arrest for an outstanding warrant out of Ocean County. The male was processed and later turned over to the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department.
– ATTEMPTED BURGLARY: At 1050 hours, a resident of Montana Drive reported that unknown suspect(s) attempted to make entry to his residence through a basement door. Minor damage was caused to the door during the incident, entry was not gained.
– CDS ARREST: At 1116 hours, Police Officer Uricks conducted a motor vehicle stop with a 2004 Mazda on West Veteran’s Highway for observed motor vehicle violations. During the stop, the officer detected the odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. A search resulted in the recovery of marijuana. The 20 year old male driver was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana and motor vehicle offenses. He was processed and released on summons pending a court appearance.

Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and Toms River Police Chief Mitch Little today announced that the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Arson Unit/Major Crimes Unit, Toms River Police Department, Toms River Bureau of Fire Prevention, and the Ocean County Sheriff’s CSI have determined the cause of the fatal fire on February 14 at 1911 Fiddlers Run. The team, after exhaustive hours examining the fire scene debris, determined that the fire originated near the south wall of the residence basement in a plastic trash can. The cause of the fire is accidental and improperly discarded smoking material could not be eliminated.

BRICK-A rash of vehicle break-ins in the township prompted the Brick Police Department to warn residents to lock their car doors at night.

“There have been numerous car burglaries this last week on the north side of the Township,” the department said. “All of the vehicles burglarized were unlocked. Burglars will normally look for the easy victim. Please remember to lock your vehicle doors and take your valuables inside your residence.”

Photo: Actor in stock photo. Not actual criminal.

At approximately 1245 am, February 15, 2017, the Howell Police Department Communications Center received a phone call that there were flames visible on the property behind Taylor Fence. The Howell Police Department along with several Howell Township Fire companies (Adelphia, Ramtown, Southard, Squankum and Freewood Acres) with the assistance of NWS Earle and Colts Neck Fire Department responded to the scene. Howell Police EMS, Farmingdale-Howell First-Aid Squad and Howell First-Aid and Rescue Squad were also on scene.
The fire was obvious upon arrival as it was consuming a large section of wood fencing material. The material burning was stacked approximately thirty feet wide by thirty feet long and twenty feet high. The fire companies gained access to the area and began battling the fire, a task that took several hours to accomplish. To assist with fire suppression, large machinery was brought in to separate the material.
The matter is under investigation by the Howell Township Police Department Investigations Division, Howell Township Fire Bureau and Monmouth County Fire Marshal’s Office. It is deemed suspicious at this time. One firefighter sustained a knee injury and was transported to the hospital. The office/structure area of the business was not damaged.