New Jersey residents will enjoy spring-like weather this weekend as the days heat up through Presidents Day. But don’t put those coats away yet. Forecasters say temperatures will take dramatic dips at night, keeping a winter chill hanging around. AccuWeather says that taste of spring — with temperatures 10 to 20 degrees above normal for this…
New Jersey News
Shark River Dredging Project Complete
NEPTUNE, NJ – After facing years of setbacks and obstacles, the long-awaited dredging project at Shark River has been completed. Equipment from the project, which included removing sediment and reopening the navigation channels in the Shark River, is being removed.
“I’m pleased to report that with help of local and state partners, Shark River’s navigable channels have been restored to use,” said Monmouth County Freeholder Thomas A. Arnone. “The project’s two phases have restored the full length of the navigable channels.”
“The restoration of state channels to allow safe passage for recreational and commercial traffic is critically important to maintaining our vibrant shore economy,” NJDOT Commissioner Richard T. Hammer said. “I am proud of the efforts of the NJDOT Office of Maritime Resources, working with the county and local officials, to make the Shark River safer to navigate than it has been in decades.”
The dredging project hydraulically removed almost three decades of sediment from the Shark River making it possible for vessels to travel during low tide from the eastern side of the river in Neptune Township to the main channels on the western side in Neptune City and Belmar. Approximately 9,000 feet of navigable channels have been restored.
The sediment was hydraulically dredged and then piped via a secure welded pipeline to mechanical dewatering equipment located in the Belmar Marina parking lot. The dewatered material was then trucked to the Monmouth County Reclamation Center for beneficial use as cover material on the active landfill.
“Last summer this project was suspended by the shutdown of projects funded by the Transportation Trust Fund (TTF),” said Arnone. “I participated in negotiations with the State to restart this project and I plan to keep advocating for the State to maintain and improve this valuable environmental, recreational and economic resource for all County residents.
“Efforts to dredge the Shark River were a long time in the making and I am extremely pleased that our strong coalition of State, County and local leaders effectively advocated and committed funding to the dredging project,” said Arnone. “Twenty years ago, I was a councilman in Neptune City when I began advocating for keeping the Shark River a viable waterway. I kept up the pressure as mayor and finally, as a Monmouth County Freeholder, I am seeing results. Thank you to the NJDOT, the County Freeholders, Neptune City, Neptune Township, Wall, and Belmar.”
“I am pleased to have worked to secure funding for the Shark River dredging which was long overdue,” said Congressman Chris Smith. “The FEMA reimbursement of roughly one third of the project cost made the dredging possible, and will now make for safe navigation in the state channels. As someone who grew up boating and fishing on the Shark River, I know the importance of seeing this waterway improved.”
The dredging project was bid at $7.6 million, began in December 2015 and was performed by Mobile Dredging sand Pumping Co. of Chester, Pennsylvania. County and municipal commitments were as follows: Monmouth County $1.1 million; Neptune City $100,000; Neptune Township $450,000; and Wall Township $315,000. Belmar provided in-kind service for the dewatering process at the Belmar Marina.
“This is really a beginning; it certainly could not have been accomplished without the coordination of the surrounding municipalities, County, and the State to get it off the ground,” Senator Jennifer Beck said. Going forward we must conduct regular maintenance dredging to ensure the viability of this river.”
Freehold Township High School Wins Monmouth County Consumer Bowl
HOWELL, NJ – Freehold Township High School came up winners in the 2017 Monmouth County Consumer Bowl, a game-show-style competition for teams of high school students held Feb. 14 at the Monmouth County Fire Academy.
Students from seven high schools answered consumer-related questions in a multiple choice and open-ended format to test their knowledge of consumer issues, such as Internet fraud and buying and leasing automobiles.
The six-member team from Freehold Township High School successfully earned its 2017 Monmouth County Consumer Bowl title against students from Colts Neck, Freehold Borough, Howell, Manalapan and Raritan and Saint John Vianney High School.
“The best part about this program is that all of our participating young adults gained some knowledge about what it takes to help them be smarter consumers and possibly future consumer advocates,” said Freeholder Serena DiMaso, who was on hand to congratulate the winners. “It is also a great way to promote the County’s Consumer Affairs office, which enforces consumer laws and helps people who suspect they might be victims of unscrupulous business practices.”
In the final round, Freehold Twp. faced-off with Howell High School. Though the scores were close, the Freehold Township team was victorious and won the 2017 County Consumer Bowl for the seventh time in eight years. .
“It’s important that teens understand consumer and business concepts, like credit and identity theft, banking and fraud, marketing and advertising,” said Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, liaison to the County’s Division of Consumer Affairs. “Consumer Bowl participants are a step ahead of their peers with their knowledge of consumer issues and are well-prepared to tackle issues in the marketplace.”
Team members are Anna Landre (team captain), Matthew Bernstein, Jake LaFronz, Michael Galanaugh and Raiyan Hussain. Their advisor is Dan Cooper; school principal is Elizabeth Higley.
The Freehold Township team now moves on to the regional competition on April 6 with home field advantage because the competition will be held at the Monmouth County Fire Academy. The winner of the regional competition will go on to compete in the 2017 New Jersey State Consumer Bowl scheduled for May in Trenton.
The New Jersey High School Consumer Bowl is a program of the state Department of Law and Public Safety, Division of Consumer Affairs. It was established in 1997 to help students learn about consumer issues that will benefit them throughout their lives.
Since the County’s Division of Consumer Affairs was established in 1977, the department has handled more than 50,000 complaints and resolved disputes, resulting in savings to consumers of more than $22 million; $9 million has been resolved in the past five years.
Consumer Affairs is a law enforcement agency, created and funded by the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders. It protects against consumer fraud and dishonest and dishonest business practices by enforcing the state Consumer Fraud Act and many other regulations.
Additional information about fraud and other consumer affairs programs can be found on the County website at www.VisitMonmouth.com, by calling 732-431-7900 or email ConsumerAffairs@co.monmouth.nj.us. The office is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Silent Kim Guadagno and Black Train Jack Ciattarelli Continue to Ignore Bail Reform Woes Plaguing New Jersey
The top two contending Republican candidates for the office of Governor in New Jersey, Kim Guadagno and Jack Ciattarelli continue to ignore the growing nightmare facing New Jersey, bail reform.
We’ve asked both campaigns repeatedly to let New Jersey know where they stand on bail reform, but so far, what we received was a new CD release from “Black Train Jack” Ciattarelli mocking Kim Guadagno and more silence from Guadagno who is quickly becoming deserving of her moniker, “Silent Kim”.
The two of them are shining examples of Trenton style politics independent Republicans across New Jersey are sick and tired of. One of them is busy producing music releases (who uses compact discs anyway?), the other making no noise at all.
Here’s what we know about bail reform so far…
Ocean County Senior Population at Risk Under NJ Bail Reform
TOMS RIVER-Let’s face it, most criminals and drug addicts don’t have long term financial planners and they live life payday to payday to survive. That’s not to say these criminals are not smart. In fact, they are very smart. They know how to get what they need, when they need and however they have to do it.
With changes in New Jersey’s bail reform, many who would be incarcerated until trial, you know those poor individuals who couldn’t make bail under the old system, are getting out of jail just hours after committing their crimes.
They committed those crimes out of necessity. According to local law enforcement authorities most of these criminals commit crimes out of necessity. The need for money to pay for drugs, or they need for money to pay rent. It’s what drives a large portion of the county’s criminals to commit the crimes they commit over and over again.
When they steal your jewelry, your stored away cash or electronics, they aren’t interested in having those items to improve their lives, they steal those items in the hopes of selling them for another heroin fix in most cases.
Criminals also know where to find the easy targets, Ocean County’s 125,000 strong senior population of 65 and overs. 27.7% of Ocean County’s total population are senior citizens.
Senior communities have long been the target of burglars looking for jewelry to pawn so they can get their daily heroin fix. They also know that seniors are a higher score for prescription medication.
In the old days, 2016, many of these criminals who act out of desperation would be held in jail on bail. It was to their benefit and the benefit of the law abiding community outside of jail.
Some say it’s not fair to hold these people in jail while they await trial, but today, the tables have turned. Now it’s not fair to the law abiding population that these individuals are immediately being returned to their communities to commit more crimes.
It has been proven very early on that bail reform isn’t working. Criminals and addicts so desperate for money are being released because a computer says so and because a judge receives a pinky promise from the defendant. That’s all that protects Ocean County’s senior citizens in 2013, a computerized grading system and a promise to not commit more crime and to return to court like a good citizen should.
Except, they’re not going to return to court. They’re not going to stop committing crimes, because in most cases, it’s beyond their own physical and mental control.
While Ocean County’s judges continue this revolving door, they’re only thinking about the rights of the criminals and not the rights of the county’s law abiding residents…especially the senior citizens who are the easy prey for these individuals.
Related stories:
http://www.shorenewsnetwork.com/2017/02/how-shore-area-legislators-voted-on-latest-bail-reform-funding-bill/
http://www.shorenewsnetwork.com/2017/02/ocean-county-freeholder-joe-vicari-throw-out-bail-reform-and-start-over/
Reader Poll: Is Governor Chris Christie's Recent Drug Addiction Stance Sincere?
After being governor for 7 years, Chris Christie recently embarked on a crusade to fight New Jersey’s growing opiate addiction problem, which has been growing for many years. Many are now questioning the governor’s motives and doubting his sincerity in the effort. What do you think?
How Shore Area Legislators Voted on Latest Bail Reform Funding Bill
In January, New Jersey legislators were asked to throw $17.6 million dollars into the new failing bail reform system to hire 20 more judges required to manage the system that has been nothing but a revolving door for repeat criminals in the state.
These are the Jersey Shore area legislators who recently voted to spend $17.6 million on continuing bail reform. We have added their phone numbers for those who want to call to express their concerns.
YES – Voted to spend $17.6 million over 2 years to keep bail reform alive.
NO – Voted against spending $17.6 million
ABSTAIN – Did not vote.
Here’s who voted here at the Jersey Shore:
District 13 – Northern Monmouth
YES Senator Joe Kyrillos (732) 671-3206
NO Assemblywoman Amy Handlin (732) 383-7820
YES Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon (732) 933-1591
District 11 – Central Monmouth
YES Senator Jennifer Beck (732) 933-1591
YES Assemblyman Joann Downey (732) 695-3371
YES Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling (732) 695-3371
District 30 – Southern Monmouth/Northern Ocean
YES Senator Robert Singer (732) 987-5669
YES Assemblyman Sean Kean (732) 974-0400
YES Assemblyman David Rible (732) 974-0400
District 12 – Western Ocean
YES Senator Samuel Thompson (732) 607-7580
YES Assemblyman Robert Clifton (732) 970-6386
YES Assemblyman Ron Dancer (609) 758-0205
District 10 – Central Ocean County
ABSTAIN Senator James Holzapfel (732) 840-9028
YES Assemblyman Gregory McGuckin (732) 840-9028
YES Assemblyman David Wolfe (732) 840-9028
District 9 – Southern Ocean County
NO Senator Christopher Connors (609) 693-6700
NO Assemblyman Dianne Gove (609) 693-6700
NO Assemblyman Brian Rumpf (609) 693-6700
District 2 – Atlantic County
YES Senator Jim Whelan (609) 383-1388
YES Assemblyman Chris Brown (609) 677-8266
YES Assemblyman Vincent Mazzeo (609) 383-1388
District 1 – Cape May
YES Senator Jeff Van Drew (856) 765-0891
YES Assemblyman Bob Andrzejczack (856) 765-0891
YES Assemblyman R. Bruce Land (856) 765-0891
North Jersey Police Powerless in Stopping Man Who Got Out of Jail Three Times in One Week Under Bail Reform
HOPATCONG-A man posing as a DPW worker to commit burglaries is on the streets again in North Jersey, thanks to the state’s new public safety assessment and bail reform laws.
Police here say they are powerless to keep a dangerous repeat criminal in jail and off the streets.
“Major is accused of committing multiple burglaries in multiple jurisdictions over the last month or so. (See the towns that we know of above). Major would put on a tri color safety vest and pose to be a DPW worker. He would knock on doors and if no one answered he would break in and steal what he could,” according to the Hopatcong Police Department.
Police said their only method of protecting the communities from future robberies is to post his picture to alert potential victims.
Related: Last night on NJ101.5 radio, Governor Chris Christie touted the success of New Jersey’s bail reform and criticized opponents of the flailing legislation as “crap” and “propaganda”.
“There is nothing the Police can do about this because of the new bail reform law. In our efforts to keep the public safe we can only attach Major’s picture to this press release. If you see him on your property or a neighbor’s, please call 911,” the department said.
Police say Major drives a 1990’s green Dodge Pickup with a black ladder rack.
On Friday, with the help of the Hopatcong detectives, Byram Township Detectives, Sparta Township Detectives and the Sussex County Prosecutors Office, Major was investigated and arrested in Elmwood Park.
With the assistance of the Elmwood park police, drug paraphernalia, and proceeds from many burglaries were recovered.
After being released from the Elmwood Park burglaries, he was charged for two burglaries in Hopatcong.
“Because of the Elmwood Park charges, we were able to get a high enough score on the new PSA (Public Safety Assessment) to have him lodged in the Sussex County Jail on Saturday morning,” Hopatcong Police Department said. “Major was released a few hours later after a court hearing on Sunday.”
After being released Sunday, Major was arrested in Morris Township for committing another burglary. He was charged and later released. At this time Major is not incarcerated.
Police in all of the towns where Major was released by judges based on PSA are powerless in stopping him.
Major’s actions were highlighted today on a bail reform watchdog page, which bore the brunt of Governor Christie’s anger last night.
NJSPBA: Criminal Mocked Bail Reform "If they let me out again, I will do more crime."
SOUTH BRUNSWICK-Last night, Governor Chris Christie touted New Jersey’s bail reform as a success, at least one repeat criminal agrees with him.
On Saturday, 47 year old George Pescavage, Jr. robbed a South Brunswick liquor store and was found bleeding and frozen in a snow pile.
Patrol units responded to a reported attempted burglary at the Quick Aid Pharmacy located at 569 Milltown Road. Upon their arrival, officers observed visible signs of an attempted forced entry burglary to the rear door. During a subsequent cursory search of the area, Officers located a male subject matching the description given by witnesses loitering across the street in the Brunswick Shopping Center. The Officers made contact with the subject, identified him, and investigated further.
After being caught for a second crime in two days, he indicated to detectives that even he couldn’t believe that he was plainly released after just four hours.
“Even I was surprised how fast I got out, if they let me out again I will do more crime,” the man said, according to the New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association.
Pescavage was released “with a pinky promise” to the New Jersey courts and the next day he was arrested trying to break into the local Quick Aid Pharmacy.
Police said he was again transported to Middlesex County Corrections, indicating that if he is again released so soon, he will again commit a similar crime in order to get by.
Bail Reform – Suspect quote after 2nd arrest, "Even I was surprised how fast I got out, if they let me out again I will do more crime" pic.twitter.com/5brGriQxTJ
— New Jersey State PBA (@NJSPBA) February 14, 2017
@NB_PublicSafety arrest same suspect who broke into liquor store Friday in South Brunswick for breaking into store Saturday in their town pic.twitter.com/E0bGxmx1pF
— So Brunswick PD (@SoBrunswickPD) February 13, 2017
Who is Tim Schnacke and why is he pushing bail reform down our throats in New Jersey?
Tim Schnacke lives in Colorado, but suddenly has an interest in touting New Jersey’s Bail Reform and Speedy Trial Act as a monumental success.
He has been attacking the media, including yours truly, law enforcement, prosecutors, the bail bond industry and anyone who dares criticize bail reform.
After all, it is his baby.
“Man, I never thought I’d ever use such a stupid term as ‘fake news,’ and my dad knew Nixon,” Schnacke wrote on his blog, followed by just 5 people. “But recently I’ve seen the bail insurance company posts with all these stories about how horrible everything is in New Jersey, and I noticed that they were all coming from one source – Shore News Network. I mean, it was literally the only outfit saying these things, and the things it was saying were pretty much the opposite of what I was hearing both from people high up and on the ground in New Jersey.”
We decided to look into the man behind the curtain and see why his panties are in such a bunch. After all, it was his program that just facilitated the release of a two-time child sexual predator back into the neighborhood in Little Egg Harbor.
It turns out Mr. Schnacke is paid good money to promote bail reform. In fact the company he works for, Pretrial Justice Institute has received over $7 million in federal grant money to write positive reports and analysis on bail reform. Those are just the grants we were able to find through a quick Google search.
Pretrial Justice Institute hails itself as “The Third Generation of Bail Reform”.
It turns out Schnacke is even one of the architects behind bail reform programs such as New Jersey’s which has put child sex offenders and other repeat offenders back on the streets in the first 30 days.
In fact, in 2013 he was the driving force behind pretrial bail reform in Jefferson Colorado. By 2016, the Attorney General there shut the failing bail reform program down.
Tim Schnacke’s bail reform ideas failed the citizens of Colorado and the Attorney General suspended it in December of last year, a few days before Schnacke’s model was implemented in New Jersey. Now schnacke is pushing bail reform in NJ and going after NJ’s law enforcement community and news outlets such as ours who are reporting the failures. He’s also going after the bail industry because he NEEDS reform to work in NJ so he can get more million dollar grants from the federal government.
Schnacke’s methods were sharply criticized by the American Bail Coalition, a bail industry advocate in 2011, prior to launching his failed bail reform pilot program in Jefferson County, Colorado.
“Tim Schnake from Jefferson County, CO, wants JEFFCO to become the DC of the Rockies. In his position as a criminal justice planner/analyst for the county, he explained his two part program the first part of which was a jail impact study and the second part of which was to highlight the defects of the commercial bail system in Colorado,” the ABC wrote.
“During the debate over CO SB 186, Schnacke’s findings were challenged by a professor of criminology at the University of Texas, who concluded, that by contemporary academic/scientific standards, Schanke’s methodology suffered from such grave design flaws, that they were fatal to the validity of his findings,” the report continued. “Schnake did not react well and attacked the professor ad hominem through all the deans on his campus, the provost, plus the system chancellor of the University of Texas. Schnake never did address the substance of the professor’s criticism, nor did he mention such a challenge during the symposium presentation (nor did his colleague, Mike Jones, who gave substantially the same presentation at the National Sheriffs Association annual meeting on 18 JUN in a session lumberingly entitled, Increasing Public Safety While Reducing Jail Populations: The Benefit of Cost-Effective Bail Setting and Pre-Trial Services Programs).”
Two years later, Schnacke was able to reform JEFFCO’s justice system. Three years later, it was shut down.
The mainstream liberal media in New Jersey has for the most part not covered the downside of the new Bail Reform and Speedy Trial Act.
Schnacke and his company are making big bucks on bail reform at the expense of the residents of New Jersey who now have sexual predators being released back into their neighborhoods.
That’s why Schnacke is interested in pushing bail reform and trash talking the media, law abiding citizens, prosecutors and law enforcement officers who criticize his platform. His company survives on federal grant money and if the narrative of success is not maintained, they could lose that money in the future.
With the amount of revenue being spent on bail reform, we can only hope at some point this scam against the American people and especially the people of New Jersey is noticed by the Trump Administration and is shut down until a more practical, affordable and sensible reform can be adopted.
Schnacke’s bail reform has failed the citizens of Colorado, where marijuana is legal, but officials are of enough sound mind to have pulled the plug on his terrible bail reform program.
We attempted to contact Mr. Schnacke several times this week to hear his side of the story, but he dodged our repeated calls and never returned any messages.
Seaside Park Bombing Terrorist Would Have Scored Lower Than Shoplifter Under NJ Bail Reform PSA?
A document making its rounds today purportedly shows a leaked training document claiming Ahmad Khan Rahami, the terrorist who was shot and captured in Linden after setting off bombs in Seaside Park and New York City would have scored a 2,2 under the New Jersey Bail Reform and Speedy Trial Act’s computerized public safety assessment.
The same document suggests a shoplifter, sexual offender or the local drug dealer could score higher than Rahami if he was arrested after the new bail reform system was enacted on January 1st.
PSA is a computerized pre-trial assessment that assigns a score of 1 to 6 based on two factors, a failure to appear risk scale and a new criminal activity risk scale.
The PSA score takes into consideration only the nature of the current offense and the offender’s criminal case and court history data.
What the computer does not calculate is the manner in which the present offense was committed, the strength of the case by prosecutors against the defendant, out of state charges or convictions, juvenile records, expunged records, threats of future harm to current victims or witnesses, gang involvement, drug or alcohol dependencies, mental illness or missing criminal information in the criminal database.
According to the document, it’s the prosecution’s responsibility to alert the courts to that information, but it will not be factored into the defendant’s computer generated score.
Our investigation found that the document is a revision of an actual New Jersey Attorney General’s Office bail reform survival guide for New Jersey Prosecutors. Who made that revision at this time is unknown or if the revision represents an earlier or unreleased version of the survival guide.
The document appears to be a modified revision of “CONFRONTING THE CHALLENGES OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM: A SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR PROSECUTORS“, created by the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, however in the version online at the current time, that page does not appear.
Peter Aseltine, spokesman for the Attorney General’s Office said the page being circulated representing the course was not generated or approved by their office. Aseltine added that the course was delivered to law enforcement agencies in a format that did allow them to modify the curriculum at the local levels.
“It was in a format that made it possible for others to create their own modified versions,” Aseltine said.
As far as the validity of Rahami scoring a 2,2 on a PSA, he said, “I cannot comment on that data. Again, that page was not something that came from us.”
Correction: Originally published as being a document by the New Jersey Judiciary. It is a version of a document by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office.
Keady: Democrats on Right Side of Issues; Have Momentum in Ocean and Monmouth Counties
The political landscape in Ocean and Monmouth Counties has been ugly of late, but it looks like it’s about to get uglier as deflated progressives at the shore are backed further into a corner of irrelevance. But one man this week said he intends to bottle up that frustration and unleash it before the 2018 congressional elections.
James Keady a political disruptor, known most for being told to “sit down and shut up” by Governor Chris Christie said this week that shore Democrats and progressives need to begin to organize grassroots efforts and step up political activism if they want to start winning elections in the predominantly conservative region of New Jersey.
“We have momentum. We are on the right side of the issues. We are ready to stand up and be counted,” Keady said. “Now, let’s get down to business.”
What?
Democrats in Ocean and Monmouth Counties hold no higher office outside of a couple of mayors and council seats. It’s unsure what momentum he is referring to.
Keady lost the Democratic nomination for Congressman last November to perhaps one of the worst run campaigns and failed candidates at the Jersey Shore in decades, that of Frederick John LaVergne. Despite LaVergne’s personal bankruptcy and home foreclosure proceedings, Democrats chose him to go to battle against Tom MacArthur last year…and lost miserably. On top of that, Republican Tom MacArthur cleaned LaVergne’s clock in the election booth.
In Monmouth County and Northern Ocean, Congressman Chris Smith won his 18th consecutive election, this year flattening his Democratic opponent Lorna Phillipson by a more than 2-1 margin.
With conventional campaigning ineffective for Democrats, Keady says it’s time to take to the streets to protest, march and disrupt. Keady now hopes to tap into the young leftist activist moving sweeping across urban America in the wake of the Trump presidency.
“In response to our current political reality, many people are finding themselves adopting the role of being a political activist for the first time,” Keady said. “People who have never protested before are marching in the streets. People who didn’t know the names of their elected officials are now calling their offices every day.”
Keady recommended young aspiring leftists should start reading ‘Rules for Radicals’ by Saul Alinsky. He also suggested young liberals connect online with the radical disruptive ‘Our Revolution’ movement.
He also encouraged liberals to get off of Facebook and Twitter and to get out into the streets of the Jersey Shore.
“Realize that we are not going to Tweet or Facebook post our way out of this,” Keady added. “It’s going to take our time, effort, and sacrifice in real life. Make the time and put in the effort to actively be a part of organizing meetings, demonstrations, call-ins, etc.”
Keady offered would-be organizers a script designed to discredit Congressman Chris Smith, a Republican.
Here is a sample script.
YOU: Do you think our Congressperson should live in our district?
NEIGHBOR: Of course.
YOU: Did you know that Chris Smith hasn’t lived in our district since the early 80s? He’s been living in Virginia for so long that his kids get in-state tuition at Virginia schools.
NEIGHBOR: What?! That’s crazy.
YOU: Yeah, he keeps a small apartment in Mercer County so he can have a NJ address. A news outlet did a story about it years ago and the neighbors there didn’t even know that a Congressman lived in the complex, they were shocked.
NEIGHBOR: That’s just wrong.
YOU: Along with him not living here, did you know that he never comes back to the district to hold open, public town hall meetings?
NEIGHBOR: Really?
YOU: Yeah, some friends and I have looked into it and we cannot find any reference of any town hall meetings on record since he’s been in office. Some people think there may have been one in 1991 or 1992, but we can’t find anything about it. We keep calling and emailing his office to get an answer and they won’t tell us when the last one happened and he refuses to commit to a town hall meeting in 2017.
NEIGHBOR: What?! That’s crazy.
YOU: Yeah, isn’t it? Our tax dollars pay this guy’s salary, the least he can do is meet us face to face a few times a year, right?!
NEIGHBOR: Yeah, that’s the least he can do.
YOU: Do you think that there are way too many people in Washington who have been there far too long? Don’t we need some new blood?
NEIGHBOR: Absolutely. That’s why I agreed with Trump that we should “drain the swamp.”
YOU: I hear you. Did you know that our Congressman has been in the same office for 37 years.
NEIGHBOR: What?! That’s crazy.
YOU: Yeah, 37 years. My friends and I think that’s long enough and it’s time we get someone new in there to shake things up. Someone who’s an independent thinker from outside of Washington.
NEIGHBOR: I am down with that.
YOU: I am involved with a group that is working on bringing people together who agree with us that we need new blood in Congress and that at a minimum, our Congressperson should live in our district and should hold regular town halls to listen to the concerns of taxpayers. Would you like to join us one night?
NEIGHBOR: Sure.
YOU: Cool. Why don’t you give me your email address and cell number and I will shoot you a message about the next meeting. If you need a ride maybe we can go over together.
NEIGHBOR: That sounds great.
This last part of the engagement is REALLY important. If we are going to be effective political organizers, we need to be able to get in touch with people. Getting someone’s contact info is as important as it gets. So never, ever, ever skip this step. Even if they aren’t yet interested in coming to a meeting, ask for their info and tell them you would like to reach out to them in the future. Getting email addresses and cell numbers is gold in political organizing.
Keady’s message is inline with the Ocean and Monmouth Democrat’s scheduled meetings to begin enticing local radicals at the Jersey Shore how to become political activists and disruptors, following the model being used at the national level.
Rullo Hits Absent "Silent Kim" Guadagno at First Republican Primary Debate
The 2017 Republican gubernatorial primary campaign season officially kicked off on February 6th with the Morris County Young Republicans’ debate. Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno was not present and neither was Jack Ciattarelli who announced that he would be scaling back his campaign while he undergoes cancer treatment.
Rullo struck first at New Jersey’s recent gas tax, claiming Guadagno has been silent on the tax, branding the Lt. Governor as “Silent Kim”. Rullo also criticized New Jersey’s sanctuaries and illegal immigration.
“We so are grateful for the 150+ who attended, the media who covered the event, our sponsors who made it possible, and the candidates who came: Joseph Rullo and Steve Rogers,” the MCYR said, “Our moderators Michael Crispi and Anthony J Somma Jr. did an outstanding job! This was a great way to kick off the 2017 GOP Primary.”
Video provided by Rullo’s campaign.
https://www.facebook.com/JosephRudyRullo/videos/10212140184762869/
New Jersey State Police Union Reveals Terrifying Bail Reform Statistic
The New Jersey State Policeman’s Benevolent Association this week released a terrifying statistic about New Jersey’s bail reform. It’s a system where those pushing it are making millions of dollars, but the people of New Jersey, including police and prosecutors are the ones paying the price.
“Bail Reform Numbers – In the 3,382 cases statewide that were processed in the first four weeks of January, judges set bail only three times,” the NJSPBA announced.
Bail Reform Numbers – In the 3,382 cases statewide that were processed in the first four weeks of January, judges set bail only three times.
— New Jersey State PBA (@NJSPBA) February 8, 2017
Secaucus DPW truck plowing snow bursts into flames
JERSEY CITY — A Secaucus Department of Public Works truck plowing snow on Seaview Drive burst into flames this morning. At about 8:45 a.m. the driver noticed fire coming from the truck’s engine compartment and the flames quickly grew, stretching several feet above the truck’s roof, Secaucus Police Capt. Dennis Miller said. The town fire department…
Report: Developer Seeks to Build 1,800 Homes on Eagle Ridge Golf Course
LAKEWOOD-A report in today’s Asbury Park Press says Lakewood’s Eagle Ridge Golf Club on Faraday Avenue is being eyed by a developer who seeks to build 1,800 homes on the site.
The report also states the course was in the process of being sold. The report also said the buyer told nearby residents it would continue operating the golf course and restaurant.
Freeholders Oppose Flounder Restrictions
OMS RIVER – Noting the importance of the fishing industry on Ocean County’s economy, County officials are supporting federal and state representatives and recreational and commercial anglers who are in opposition to changes that will have a drastic effect on the summer flounder recreational harvest.
“I stand with federal and state lawmakers, along with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and representatives of the state’s recreational and commercial fishing industries in stating that the new regulations would devastate our fishing industry and have a devastating economic impact on Ocean County’s shore tourism,” stated Ocean County Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari, who serves as liaison to the county’s Tourism and Business Development. “Summer flounder is one of the most popular game fish in the region among recreational anglers and is very important to commercial fishing operations.”
Vicari authored a letter to U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker noting his concerns about the proposed rule recently announced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries that would significantly reduce the commercial quotas and recreational harvest limits for summer flounder in 2017 and 2018.
“This rule will have a dramatic and disastrous effect on the residents of Ocean County, especially those that rely upon the summer flounder fishery for their livelihood,” Vicari said. “Some of our area fisherman said this rule would put them out of business.
“In an area of New Jersey that was heavily hit by Superstorm Sandy in 2012 and is finally regaining some of its economic losses, this rule will hurt tourism which is a key factor of our economic engine,” Vicari said. “Our fishing communities have faced many adverse challenges and are already struggling. We do not need to add to this.”
In New Jersey, the recreational and commercial fishing industries generate about $2.5 billion annually and represent more than 20,000 jobs, according to State DEP Commissioner Bob Martin. Recreational fishermen landed more than 650,000 summer flounder and commercial fishermen caught more than 1.2 million pounds last year.
Last month, votes taken by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) would likely result in an increase in the size of individual summer flounder anglers can keep, as well as a decrease in number of fish that may be kept each day, and a reduction in season length.
One of the options under consideration could reduce New Jersey’s recreational harvest limit for summer flounder by as much as nearly 50 percent.
Vicari, echoing the recommendations of DEP Commissioner Bob Martin, said the quotas that have been proposed are arbitrary and require a more thorough scientific analysis.
“Without fair examination taking into consideration the impact of the proposed quota, the County’s marinas, charter boat operators, bait and tackle shops, hotels, restaurants and other tourism related businesses will be adversely affected,” Vicari said.
Vicari applauded DEP Commissioner Martin, U.S. Representatives Frank LoBiondo, Tom MacArthur and Frank Pallone Jr. and U.S. Senators Robert Menendez and Cory A. Booker for coming together to support the fishing industry and oppose the proposed quotas.
“I also commend the many organizations representing our commercial and recreational fishing industries for their actions in opposing these new regulations,” Vicari said.
Fishing advocacy groups that have been actively opposing the measure include the New Jersey Outdoor Alliance, the Recreational Fishing Alliance, the New Jersey Coast Anglers Association, the New Jersey Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, United Boatmen and the Save the Summer Flounder Fishery Fund.
According to the DEP, the summer flounder season in New Jersey typically runs from May through September, concurrent with the peak tourism season. Current New Jersey regulations allow recreational anglers fishing in most parts of the state to keep summer flounder that are at least 18 inches long, at a maximum of five fish per day. In Delaware Bay, anglers may take up to four summer flounder per day that meet a minimum 17-inch length requirement.
The DEP is particularly concerned about any regulatory changes that would increase the minimum length of fish caught in New Jersey because few fish would meet the larger size limit. Summer flounder in New Jersey tend to be smaller than in states to the north due to the species’ biological needs and migration patterns.
County to Launch Study on Northern Ocean County Road Infrastructure
TOMS RIVER – With the completion of the Route 9 corridor study and an increase in population growth, Ocean County is undertaking a study to review potential county road network improvements in the northern area of the County.
“We have had some initial meetings with representatives from Lakewood and Jackson townships,” said Ocean County Freeholder John P. Kelly, Director of Law and Public Safety. “Today we are ready to bring on a consultant to perform the study that will provide us with both short term and long term recommendations.”
The recommendations will be used to upgrade Ocean County’s countywide transportation model which was last updated in 2013.
“This is an important tool to help us with future planning when it comes to the county road network,” said Kelly, who is also liaison to the Ocean County Engineering Department.
After reviewing several proposals, Ocean County is expected to choose Stantec Consulting Services with offices in Wall Township to oversee the study.
“Picking a consultant is key to getting this work under way,” Kelly said.
The study will focus on the traffic network in the northern area of the County.
“It’s been determined that an update to the transportation model for the northern municipalities is warranted to reflect new growth patterns,” Kelly said. “This update will be used by the County to update our long term capital improvement program.”
In addition to reviewing all traffic county data currently available from the County, the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority and the state Department of Transportation, the consultant also will look at socioeconomic data, zoning information, planned developments, approved developments, and certificates of occupancy.
“This will be a comprehensive study that addresses growth in the northern section of the County and how it impacts the county road network,” said Ocean County Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari. “We need to make certain we do whatever we can to provide the best road network possible for motorists and pedestrians.”
A timeline for the study is expected to be established during the county’s first meeting with the consultant.
However, the consultant is expected to begin traffic counts by April.
“Once all this is completed we will have a comprehensive look of not just current conditions but current and future growth patterns,” Kelly said. “This will allow us to determine our best course of future action.”
The consultant will develop forecasts for years 2025 and 2040 based on the traffic counts, the Route 9 corridor study and the updated data collected.
“The study will result in a comprehensive report including a list of action items outlining transportation hot spots,” Kelly said. “The list will be divided into short-term and long-term transportation improvements that will improve the operation of Ocean County’s transportation network within the project townships.”
Kelly noted that while the study is going on the County will continue to implement improvements in the county’s road network.
“This study will help in long range planning,” Kelly said. “In the meantime, the County continues to do infrastructure projects that improve our roads.”
For example, Kelly noted that the County recently went out to bid for two new traffic signals in Lakewood.
The new signals will be constructed at two intersections that currently do not have traffic signals. The intersections are at New Hampshire Avenue and America Avenue and Cedarbridge Avenue and Avenue of the States.
Besides providing for vehicular coordination at these intersections, the intersections will also have full pedestrian accommodations. Construction on the new signals is expected to take place this summer.
“The new signals will help improve traffic flow and safety,” Kelly said.
Freeholders Seek $1 Million for Airpark Improvements
Ocean County is applying to the New Jersey Department of Transportation for two grants to cover the cost of improvements to the Ocean County Airport, Route 530, Berkeley Township.
“While the funds are not guaranteed, it’s important to file the grant applications now to offset the cost of future improvements,” said Ocean County Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari, who serves as liaison to the airport. “We have been very successful in the past in securing state and federal grants to improve this facility.”
Ocean County is seeking grant funding that would assist with a major crack repair project on the existing aircraft parking apron. The apron provides storage space for planes and small corporate jets.
“This is a vital area of the airport and needs to be improved,” Vicari said.
He noted that portions of the apron are more than 10-years-old and the project would extend the life of the pavement for another 10 years.
The total estimated cost for the repairs is $1.2 million and the NJDOT grant would provide just over $1 million for the project.
The second project covers the construction of a new t-hangar taxi-lane which would be installed prior to the placement of a new future t-hangar building. T-hangars provide indoor storage space for aircraft and are revenue generating facilities.
The total project cost is estimated at $1.18 million and the NJDOT grant would provide approximately $1.083 million.
Both projects are consistent with the airport master plan and the Memorandum of Agreement the County executed with the New Jersey Pinelands Commission in 2012.
Vicari said the airport is an important part of the County’s economic base and must be well-maintained especially for public safety.
“This helps with our tourism efforts,” Vicari said.
Vicari added the airport, located on 420 acres in Berkeley Township about five miles west of Toms River, provides a central location for a host of public safety services.
The precision approach facility features a 6,000 foot runway, a crosswind runway, and accommodates various aircraft, including private airplanes, small corporate jets, the state Forest Fire Service planes, the Civil Air Patrol and Emergency Services aircraft.
Since 1990, Ocean County has received more than $23 million in federal and state funding for airport improvements.
In addition to the new crosswind runway, in recent years, county, state and federal funds have helped pay to widen the existing runway, extend the taxiway, install a stormwater control system, construct new hangars, install a new system of signs and lights and rehabilitate the taxiways and apron.
“This airpark is an important element of the county’s transportation program,” said Vicari. “It’s essential the facilities be kept current and at up-to-date standards.”
County Freeholders Seeking $500,000 For Walking Trail Project Through South Toms River
PRESS RELEASE FROM
Ocean County Board of Freeholders
In anticipation of constructing a segment of the Barnegat Branch Trail that would run through South Toms River and serve as the trails northern terminus, Ocean County is applying for a grant from the state Department of Transportation.
“But, before we do any construction, we are closely working with South Toms River as the Borough negotiates the acquisition of an easement from the property owner which will allow for construction of this part of the trail,” said Ocean County Freeholder John C. Bartlett Jr., who serves as liaison to the Ocean County Department of Parks and Recreation. “We deeply appreciate this cooperative effort and are optimistic that we will be able to move forward with this phase of trail construction.”
South Toms River received a Transportation Alternatives Grant from the Federal Highway Administration in order to acquire an easement over the former property of the Central N.J. Railroad which runs parallel to Route 166. The borough is in the process of negotiating acquisition of an easement from the owner which will allow for construction of the bike trail. Subsequent to their acquisition, expected in 2017, an agreement between the Borough and the County would be executed allowing the County to construct this phase of the Barnegat Branch Trail.
“This section will connect the existing trail in Beachwood and terminate at South Main Street with an eventual connection to Herflicker Boulevard where pedestrians and bicyclists can continue into downtown Toms River or to the Toms River bus station,” Bartlett said. “This section serves as the most northern point of the 15.6 mile linear trail that starts in Barnegat Township.”
The Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders is requesting $511,900 from the state Department of Transportation to construct the ninth phase of the Barnegat Branch Trail which is a regional trail and bikeway. The board is authorizing the request during its Feb. 1 public meeting.
Ocean County Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari said the trail continues to be popular with both residents and visitors.
“This serves as a great tourist attraction,” said Vicari, who serves as liaison to tourism and business development. “It’s great for runners, walkers, and bicyclists. Whether you are looking for passive recreation or a place for more active recreation, this is the perfect trail.”
“This park is unique to Ocean County and features areas that residents and visitors may not have been able to experience since they are deep in our natural woods,” Bartlett said. “Each time we add to it, the park grows in popularity.”
This phase covers just over half a mile and extends from Admiral Avenue to South Main Street in South Toms River. It includes the installation of a prefabricated bridge over the Jakes Branch of the Toms River.
“We are requesting 100 percent of the construction cost of this phase from the NJDOT,” Bartlett said. “If approved we could complete this section by the spring of 2018.”
Ocean County has completed the first six phases of the trail which includes 7 contiguous miles from Burr Street in Barnegat Township to Lacey Road in Lacey Township. In addition, almost 2.8 miles from Dudley Park at the Cedar Creek in Lacey Township to Hickory Lane in Berkeley Township have been completed.
A quarter-mile section connecting Hebrew Park in Lacey Township to the Cedar Creek in Berkeley Township is under design and awaiting bid for construction.
“It was always the County’s intent to complete the trail in segments as we received clearance and funding to move ahead,” Bartlett said. “The County has already received four grants for the trail totaling $1,253,000.”
The Barnegat Branch trail follows the existing right of way of the former Barnegat Branch Division of the Central Railroad of New Jersey.
To get the trail under way, in October 2002, Ocean County purchased 8.8 miles of the old railroad in three towns – Berkeley, Ocean and Barnegat townships. This purchase was supplemented in 2004 when Lacey Township granted to Ocean County an easement over its 4.8-mile trail segment. Coupled with the existing bike path in Beachwood and the incorporation of a dedicated bike lane along Flint Road in South Toms River, the completed trail will span 15.6 miles from Barnegat Township to Toms River Township.
“The design of the Barnegat Branch Trail is sensitive to the changing landscape of central Ocean County,” Bartlett noted. “Trail visitors experience wooded areas in Barnegat and Waretown’s southern reach before transitioning into an active-use corridor that parallels Route 9 north of Waretown.
“Residential and commercial neighbors border much of the trail through Lacey Township before it returns to forest and then sand mining in Berkeley Township,” he said.
The primary surface finish of the trail is a stone dust surface. As work progresses, the trail will feature a number of trail facilities including comfort stations, trail signage and historical exhibits.
The facilities are being built in a style reminiscent of passenger and freight stations that once served Barnegat Township, the Forked River section of Lacey Township, the Pinewald section of Berkeley Township and Toms River.
Bartlett said that several Ocean County parks and county natural land areas are located within walking or bicycling distance of the Barnegat Branch Trail including Lochiel Creek in Barnegat Township, Berkeley Island County Park, Wells Mills County Park in Waretown and Enos Pond County Park in Lacey Township.
“This trail not only offers the user the opportunity to see nature at its best in Ocean County, it offers access to Ocean County’s premiere park sites,” Bartlett said. “It’s a perfect combination.”
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Police chief reportedly under fire for skit playing on Asian stereotypes
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Judge refuses to release Preston Taylor as new details emerge in Sarah Stern's death
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Dog Shot by Police During Home Raid Rehabilitated by Associated Humane Society
LACEY TWP-A dog that was shot in a police raid on a home in Orange in undergoing rehabilitation at the Associated Humane Society and is getting ready to return to her home. It’s just one of the many ways AHS and shelters like Lacey Township’s Popcorn Park Zoo help New Jersey’s four legged friends.
That help unfortunately comes as a cost and AHS is using Lucy’s story to help raise money to help other dogs and cats.
“Most of our stories here at Associated Humane Societies are about helping animals that come to us in desperate need, and finding them a good home in the end. But some of the stories are about helping people with their animals as well, and just doing the right thing in the end. With Lucy and her family, we had to do the right thing,” AHS said. “Lucy was one of three dogs that were living their lives with a good family, when a terrible accident occured. It was mid-December when a police raid on a home was taking place for suspected criminal activity. The details were not made very clear to us but from what we can surmise, these dogs were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Whether the police went to the wrong home or what the situation was, it didn’t end well for these dogs who got caught up in the confusion. Lucy was shot by the police officers before anyone realized that a mistake had been made and she was injured badly.”An animal control officer from the city of Orange brought Lucy to the AHS- Newark facility and once their staff realized how badly she was injured, she was taken directly to Animal Emergency & Referral Associates in Fairfield.
Lucy sustained a gunshot wound to the shoulder and required emergency surgery. The surgery went well and Lucy is still recovering in the medical department at the Newark facility where she is feeling like one happy and lucky little lady these days.
Lucy’s family has the other two dogs at home, who were unharmed and well taken care of, and were just devastated about what happened to Lucy.
“Once Lucy is healed, she will be going back home as well. Lucy’s family was not prepared for the $4000 medical bill that we incurred for taking Lucy to the hospital to save her life but in the end, Lucy will wind up back in her good home, with her good family, and that is what we like to see,” AHS said.“Picking up the tab in a case like this unexpected accident is obviously a bit difficult for us but was the right thing to do. Our Res-Q Fund is designed specifically for the special needs and emergency cases and that fund has been stretched quite thin recently so we would like to ask that if you can, please consider making a donation to our Res-Q Fund,” the AHS added.
You can help by texting HumaneHelp to 41444 or by clicking here: http://www.ahscares.org/
New Jersey Legislators and Politicians and Where they Stand on Bail Reform
On Tuesday, January 31st, we reached out to every New Jersey assemblyman and state senator to talk about the first 30 days of the state’s new bail reform system.
Here are the responses we have received.
This will be updated as more reach out to us.
Those for bail reform…
Senator Robert Singer (R), 30th District – Assemblyman Singer did not reach out to us directly, but last week did introduce a bill to increase funding outside of New Jersey’s 2% tax cap to pay for bail reform.
Senator Steve Sweeney (D), 3rd District – Senator Sweeney did not reach out to us directly, but last week did introduce a bill to increase funding outside of New Jersey’s 2% tax cap to pay for bail reform.
Those against bail reform…
Assemblyman Erik Peterson (R), 23rd District – “Many residents are uneasy – and in some cases outraged – by the dramatic changes to bail proceedings that allow potentially dangerous criminals out of jail for free. Meanwhile, everyday people are held for days with minor infractions, like missing a traffic court date. I opposed and continue to oppose these changes because of the substantial cost on counties and, more importantly, the release of dangerous people with the absence of judicial discretion. This system has already proven to be off to a rocky and questionable start in New Jersey. I look forward to working with my colleagues to make improvements.”
Assemblyman Robert Auth (R), 39th District- “I didn’t vote for it, I would repeal it if I could.”
Assemblyman Ron Dancer (R)
What the NJ governor candidates are saying…
Joseph Rullo – Is against bail reform. Has stated facts and figures supporting his opposition. No direct comment yet.
Kim Guadagno – Guadagno’s name was on the 2014 bail reform ballot referendum – no comment yet
Jack Ciattarelli – no comment yet
Steven Rogers – no comment yet
Legislators, candidates for office, local elected officials and law enforcement entities may contact us with their opinions, letters and statements on bail reform by sending an email to news@shorenewsnetwork.com.
New Jersey Police Detective Speaks Out Against Bail Reform
After our coverage last week regarding the problems associated with New Jersey bail reform, many police officers have contacted us thanking us, but very few would go on the record criticizing the new system that is rapidly undoing their hard work apprehending criminals and keeping their communities safe.
One police officer, a detective who has had enough of the hardened criminals his department arrests being let back into public hours after an arrest wanted New Jersey to know the other side of bail reform.
After the editorial board of the Star Ledger defended bail reform and blamed only a judge for the release of a two-time Little Egg Harbor Township child sexual assault offender, this detective had enough.
He did share with us his name and asked us to publish his name, but because of our knowledge of a recent gag order the Attorney General of New Jersey, we’ve decided not to publish his name or department. Police officers, courts, prosecutors and every level of law enforcement agencies have been under pressure to “go with the flow” on the very broken bail reform system.
Here is his response to the Star Ledger editorial on bail reform.
The editorial published by Star Ledger Staff regarding bail reform published on February 2nd, is a great indication of the general public’s misconceptions of how this system is really working. The Star Ledger cites several examples of where the system has failed already, but seems to place the blame on the judges rather than the system itself.
Quoting the Star Ledger “Under the old [bail] law, the only factor [in determining bail] was a defendant’s risk of flight – not the threat posed to the community.” This is false.
Under Bail Schedules 1 and 2, Court Rule 3:26-1, a predetermined monetary bail amount was set according to each specific statute. When setting bail, Judges and Judicial Officers HAD to abide by Court Rule 3:26-1:
“3:26-1 – Right to Bail before Conviction – The factors to be considered in setting bail are:
- The seriousness of the crime charged against defendant, the apparent likelihood of conviction, and the extent of the punishment prescribed by the Legislature;
- Defendant’s criminal record, if any, and previous record on bail, if any;
- Defendant’s reputation, and mental condition;
- The length of defendant’s residence in the community;
- Defendant’s family ties and relationships;
- Defendant’s employment status, record of employment, and financial condition;
- The identity of responsible members of the community who would vouch for defendant’s reliability;
- Any other factors indicating defendant’s mode of life, or ties to the community or bearing on the risk of failure to appear, and, particularly, the general policy against unnecessary sureties and detention.”
As you can see, there wasn’t just one factor as the Star-Ledger would like it’s readers to believe, there were a total of eight. Suffice it to say, the Star Ledger didn’t do their research. What’s very important to note is number 8 “… the general policy against unnecessary sureties and detention.” The monetary bail system in New Jersey was generally well balanced and fair. For the most part, people weren’t subject to unnecessary pretrial incarceration for minor offenses thanks in large part to these factors unless there were other extenuating circumstances, but I won’t say that it never happened.
Now, to address the statement made by the Star Ledger that people were sitting in jail on minor or non-violent offenses and couldn’t “buy” their freedom. Bail reform did not address the issue of people sitting in jail on “minor offenses” like traffic warrants. In fact, under bail reform, people are more likely to be incarcerated on the inability to pay a traffic ticket as opposed to having committed a crime.
Under bail reform, determinations for incarceration are made based on computer Algorithms called “Public Safety Assessments” or PSA’s. If a defendant has a high PSA they are recommended for incarceration, if the PSA is low pretrial release or release on summons is recommended. However, as experienced by law enforcement across the state, the program is flawed. For example, the PSA numbers for Ahmad Khan Rahami, (the Seaside Park Boardwalk Bomber), were low enough that if he were processed under the new bail reform act, he would technically be eligible for pretrial release. Yet, despite bail reform being touted as a huge success; people are still sitting in jail on minor offenses because they have a past of committing minor crimes like shoplifting, while violent offenders are routinely released. Hypothetically, you could murder someone having never committed a crime in your life and have a lower PSA score than someone who shoplifted a few times in the past, so the Star Ledger was wrong again, a PSA score does not take the seriousness of the alleged offense into consideration when determining incarceration or release.
I will concede to one thing the Star Ledger stated; the bail system SHOULD be based on a risk assessment and a judge. In fact, it used to be. Just read the rules of 3:26-1 again; only Judges were allowed to use common sense. Now they’re forced to rely on the flawed PSA’s to make these determinations and it has failed miserably time and time again, for example Dawud Ward; he was arrested and released three times in a month for residential burglary. Maybe if Ward was in jail the first time under “the old law”, he wouldn’t have victimized two additional innocent people. But I digress. The pretrial conditions of bail reform require judges to take the PSA numbers into consideration; and to be fair, some judges may be more inclined to incarcerate while others are not.
Yes, offenders could post bail before and be released. But, the gang member that Star Ledger referenced with $50,000 worth of heroin, and a loaded 9mm, more than likely would have had a $250,000 – $500,000 bail maybe more depending upon his criminal history, prior failure to appears, and his status as a gang member. Even with a 10% option, he and/or his buddies are putting up a lot of cash to get him out. But let’s say he did bail out; the purpose of bail money is to guarantee he’s going to show up in court to answer to his charges; if he doesn’t, he forfeits the money and a warrant is issued for his arrest. But there’s more to it than simply “buying your freedom” as the Ledger puts it.
Most significantly, what the Star Ledger conveniently neglected to mention is what was known as a Bail Source Inquiry, P.L. 2007, c. 46., which was in effect until The Bail Reform Act was enacted. During a Bail Source Inquiry, Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2A:162-13, a person charged with a crime with bail restrictions had to provide, under penalty of perjury, information “about the obligor, indemnifier or person posting cash bail, the security offered, and the source of any money or property used to post the cash bail or secure the surety or bail bond, as the case may be.” This bail source inquiry was an 8 page application that had to be submitted for prosecutor review which encompassed the source of the money being posted for bail to ensure that gang members or other ill-gotten funds weren’t posted to bail someone out of jail. Just Google “NJ Bail source inquiry”, you will find the actual application on the Attorney General’s website.
But now defendants are released, with no bail source inquiry, no accountability, nothing to lose, just simply a promise to appear. Sometimes pretrial release monitoring consists of an ankle bracelet which offenders have been cutting off, and other methods are having the defendant provide a good phone number so they can “check in”, which shockingly enough, most phone numbers that have been provided don’t work. But for the Ledger to say “there’s more monitoring”, is a feel good statement without basis, there simply is not.
The most inaccurate statement the Star Ledger makes: “the poor were jailed simply because they couldn’t [“buy” their freedom].” First of all, refer back to the bail schedules, if you committed a burglary your bail was in the same range whether you were a millionaire or on public assistance, Judges simply had to set bail amounts according to the 8 factors mentioned above on a case by case basis. Furthermore, this isn’t about being poor – 3:26-1(6) – Rules Governing the Courts of New Jersey – Setting of Bail: “defendant’s employment status, record of employment, and financial condition [must be taken into consideration when setting bail].
What this is about personal accountability. It’s about obeying laws, and being responsible enough not to worry about coming up with bail money in the first place, I’ve managed to do it my whole life and so have millions of other people. The criminal justice system isn’t perfect, and it does need tweaking… here’s the fix; dangerous people belong behind bars, not on the street, and if they’re released, they need to be held accountable.
Historically, The State of New Jersey has exceeded Federal Constitutional Standards and extended these additional protections to its citizens. The 6thand 8th Amendments were never an exception. With that said there is a delicate balance between protecting the Constitutional Rights of defendants, while also placing a higher value of the rights of a person to live in a community knowing violent or abhorrent offenders are safely locked behind bars or at least being held accountable for their actions.
Bail reform has done the opposite. It has created a revolving door where offender after offender is being released back onto the streets days or even hours after arrest which compromises the safety and security of victims and communities. Even after only a month of bail reform, offenders are routinely arrested again shortly after being released. It isn’t “a rare case or bad call”, as the Star Ledger puts it, when it happens on a daily basis across the state; it is a testament to the failure of the system.
Because of the revolving door it has created, bail reform has proven to be a complete drain on law enforcement resources which has resulted in increased municipal overtime. Suffice it to say, bail reform came with changes to the online complaint systems which every law enforcement agency in this state uses. The changes have resulted in increased booking times, increased complaint processing times and most importantly increased overtime. What was touted as being saved in incarceration costs is lost in day to day police operations and most of all lost in implementation: $53.4 Million to be exact. The recently retracted Bill S2933, sponsored by Senators Robert Singer and Steven Sweeney which called for a property tax cap exclusion, that would have allowed the state to raise property taxes in order to fund bail reform throughout 2017, substantiates the fact that bail reform is unsustainable and New Jersey simply can’t afford. It took only a month and lawmakers were already looking to the taxpayer for additional funding… isn’t that a surprise.
By the way, I’m not a bail bondsman. I didn’t’ make a living from a monetary bail system, (nor was I financially liable for the estimated $638 Million in commercial bail posted annually, which a majority was allocated to the 21st Century Fund) and personally, bail reform hasn’t affected me. But dealing with it every day, I see its shortcomings and all the societal woes that are sure to follow. I’m a police officer who’s tired of devoting days, months and endless hours into investigations only to see criminals being released with a slap on the wrist. I’m tired of seeing this state value its criminals more than the innocent people they victimize. The rights of the innocent should be appreciated more than anything else in our society. Trenton and some of our politicians obviously feel differently, and until they change it, the innocent people of this state will continue to pay for and fall victim to this total failure called bail reform.
Editor’s note 2/5/17: Edited for style, additional information added regarding bail reform.
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NEPTUNE CITY – As a New Jersey State Police helicopter buzzed overhead, Michael Stern stood with his hands in his pockets, braced against the bitter wind, looking out over the Shark River and trying to process why he was there. “Please let them find her. Please let them find her,” he repeated in his head. A…
Men accused of killing Sarah Stern reportedly helped search for her
NEPTUNE CITY — The man charged with strangling a 19-year-old Neptune City woman and another man accused of helping to dispose of her body took part in the search to find her in the weeks after she disappeared, News 12 New Jersey reported. Liam McAtasney and Preston Taylor, both 19, were friends of Sarah Stern, who…
13 Arrested in NJ Gang Sweep; 6 Freed Under Bail Reform
NEWARK — An Essex County judge this week ordered three of 13 men arrested in a recent State Police gang sweep in the city be held without bail pending trial. The Attorney General’s office has said the men, arrested as part of a state-led gang sweep two weeks ago, are members of the “Red Breed Gorillas,”…
Have you seen this man? Police say he stole, crashed a motorcycle
CAPE MAY — Cape May City police are still searching for a Gloucester County man wanted for stealing a motorcycle last month and crashing it in an Atlantic City parking garage. On Jan. 17, Michael Benko, 23, of Sewell, crashed a stolen motorcycle into a car driven by a 50-year-old Atlantic City man in a parking…
Singer Sings the Blues After Lack of Support on Bail Reform Funding Bill
LAKEWOOD-Senator Robert Singer, who represents New Jersey’s 30th district, which includes Lakewood Township today withdrew a bill he sponsored to allow governments to exceed the Christie imposed 2% tax cap to pay for tens of millions of dollars in extra bail reform expenses.
The bill was a glaring example of how the state will be unable to pay for the new bail reform act that has plagued communities across New Jersey in the past 30 days. A statement from Singer acknowledged the program has not been funded properly by the legislature and may result in layoffs, but he didn’t say where those layoffs could occur.
Singer blamed vocal opposition from the New Jersey Association of Counties (NJAC) and complained about their lack of support on his latest effort to raise New Jersey taxes.
“I introduced this legislation to help counties account for the one-time implementation costs that were expected as a result of recently enacted bail reforms,” said Singer. “It seems that no good deed goes unpunished, however. Despite my effort to help our counties, the NJAC doesn’t want the legislative relief that I’ve offered, so I’ll withdraw the bill.”
The legislation that Singer will withdraw, S-2933, would have established a one-year property tax levy cap exclusion for costs incurred by local governments related to implementing bail reforms.
Singer said he will take no responsibility if the poorly implemented Bail Reform and Speedy Trial Act will result in layoffs and whined about another tax raising bill that did pass.
That legislation appropriated nearly $10 million to add 20 new judges around the state in support of the new law.
“The State is doing its part to assist counties to implement reforms to better protect the public and make our justice system more efficient,” added Singer. “If the NJAC is going to deny additional help that we’ve offered, the responsibility for any resulting layoffs or service reductions will fall squarely on their shoulders.”
So far, under New Jersey’s bail reform, the only people protected by the law have been criminals set free to commit repeat offenses and it has done little to increase public safety in the state.
Search Continues for Body of Sarah Stern
FREEHOLD-On Friday, February 3, 2017, troopers from the New Jersey State Police Marine Bureau, Point Pleasant Station, began a secondary search of the Shark River for Sarah Stern’s remains, announced Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni. As a result of recent incidents and the charges filed against Liam McAtasney and Preston Taylor for the murder of 19 year-old Sarah Stern who was last seen alive on December 2, the search for her remains continues in the area of the Shark River, Prosecutor Gramiccioni said.
“The search of the Shark River continues as we partner with the State Police and we hope to locate the remains of Sarah Stern.
It is possible due to oceanic currents and tides that her remains might have been swept out of the river into the Atlantic. But we are hoping for a miracle,” Prosecutor Gramiccioni said. The search and recovery operation to locate Stern’s remains is expected to continue into the weekend.
The secondary search for Stern’s remains gets underway after an extensive search of waters and area since the beginning of December when she disappeared and her vehicle was found abandoned on the shoulder of the southbound lane of the Route 35 Bridge in Belmar. To date, multiple agencies, including Belmar Water Rescue Team, assisted by the United States Coast Guard, the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team, the Area Network of Shore Water Emergency Responders Team, and the New Jersey State Police have participated in the search for Stern in the Shark River. Those assets searched the Shark River with divers, boats and helicopters, but, to date, attempts to locate Stern have been unsuccessful.
On Wednesday, February 1, 2017, the Neptune City Police Department charged Liam McAtasney, 19, of Neptune City with first degree Murder, first degree Felony Murder, first degree Robbery, second degree Desecration of Human Remains, second degree Conspiracy (to Desecrate Human Remains) and second degree Hindering Apprehension. Preston Taylor, 19, also of Neptune City, was charged with second degree Desecration of Human Remains, second degree Conspiracy (to Desecrate Human Remains) and second degree Hindering Apprehension. Detectives determined that McAtasney was responsible for killing Stern and stealing property from her on December 2, 2016. The investigation also revealed that Taylor provided assistance to McAtasney in moving and ultimately disposing of Stern’s body in order to avoid detection.
On Sunday, December 4, detectives from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office joined the investigation in an effort to locate Sarah Stern. Detectives from the Prosecutor’s Office and the Belmar and Neptune City Police Departments have continued to investigate her whereabouts since that time. The New Jersey State Police Missing Persons Unit and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children have also assisted in the investigation.
Photo: stock photo, New Jersey state police.
The arrests of McAtasney and Taylor are the culmination of an almost two-month investigation into the whereabouts of Stern, who was last seen at her Neptune City residence on the afternoon of December 2, 2016. An investigation was launched after her 1994 silver, four-door Oldsmobile EightyEight, was found abandoned on the shoulder of the southbound lane of the Route 35 Bridge in Belmar. Neptune Township Police were alerted to the vehicle by a passerby.
Stern’s deserted car was operational and the keys were found in the vehicle. At that time, no persons were in the area and the vehicle was subsequently towed from the road by the Neptune Township Police Department.
The Neptune Township Police Department contacted the Neptune City Police Department to request a welfare check of the registered owner of the vehicle. Upon arrival at the address of the registered owner, who is a family member of the missing girl, the residence was found unlocked and no one was home. Further investigation determined Sarah Stern was the missing driver of the vehicle and her family did not know of her whereabouts.
As a result of the investigation, detectives determined that McAtasney was responsible for killing Stern and stealing property from her on December 2, 2016. The investigation has also revealed that Taylor provided assistance to McAtasney in moving and ultimately disposing of Stern’s body in order to avoid detection. Both McAtasney and Taylor appeared in court on Thursday, February 2, 2017, where they were formally charged. Both men remain in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution, awaiting detention hearings.
Despite these arrests, anyone with information that may assist in this investigation is asked to contact Detective Brian Weisbrot from the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office at (800) 533-7443, Detective Michael Vollbrecht of the Neptune City Police Department at (732) 775-1615, or Detective John Mahoney from the Belmar Police Department at (732) 681-1700.
The case is assigned to Assistant Prosecutor Christopher J. Decker, Director of the Office’s Major Crimes Bureau.
Anyone who feels the need to remain anonymous but has information about a crime can contact Monmouth County Crime Stoppers confidential telephone tip-line by calling 1-800-671-4400; can text “MONMOUTH” plus their tip to 274637; or, they can email a tip via the website at www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com. Monmouth County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of criminals and fugitives.
Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution and State law.
Video: Car runs over two at Atlantic City McDonalds Drive-Thru
ATLANTIC CITY-This group of individuals DID|AC after they ran over a party of two they were arguing with while online at the drive-thru at McDonalds.
https://www.facebook.com/OCPoliceBlotter/videos/1218597808175753/
User contributed video
Illegal Immigrant; Most Wanted Fugitive in New Jersey Captured
A fugitive previously convicted of sexual assault was arrested by immigration officials on Tuesday in New Jersey. Mexican citizen Javier Atlixqueno-Vaquero, 37, had been removed from the United States in May 2004 but managed to sneak back in at some point, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Atlixqueno-Vaquero has previously been convicted of sexual assault…
Police station fumigated after men caught in store sex act, report says
CLIFTON – Two men face lewdness and other charges after they were caught in an alleged sex act on a display bed at Bed Bath & Beyond, according to a report on NorthJersey.com. Police were called to the store on Route 3 during business hours on Jan. 30 after an employee said the men were engaged…
Woman Able to Steal $1 Million From Boss Before Being Caught
MILLSTONE- Virginia DeBerri, 52, of Brick Township, pleaded guilty to second degree theft, acknowledging that she stole more than $1 million dollars from her employer, Foresight Enviroprobe, Inc., over the course of five years while she was employed as a bookkeeper for the Millstone-based company.
In November of 2015, troopers from Hamilton Station began investigating DeBerri when company owners were notified of a banking discrepancy. During the course of the investigation by State Police and Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office detectives, investigators discovered that DeBerri forged more than 500 company checks between 2010 and 2015, which were deposited into her personal bank account. They also discovered that she increased her own salary by manipulating the company payroll without authorization.
Virginia DeBerri entered a plea agreement with the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, which has recommended a seven-year sentence in state prison.
Now look, people, you may deserve a raise. We get it. But you just can’t go ahead and give yourself one without the boss knowing!
Great job by Hamilton Station troopers and our detectives from the Troop “C” Criminal Investigations Office! Let’s give them a big ole’ #Attaboy in the comments below!
Two Charged for Murder of Missing Belmar Girl
FREEHOLD-Two Neptune City men have been charged in connection with the murder of 19 year-old Sarah Stern, who has been missing since early December, announced Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni. The arrests end a nearly two month long search for the missing teen, last seen alive on December 2nd.
The Neptune City Police Department charged Liam McAtasney, 19, of Neptune City with first degree Murder, first degree Felony Murder, first degree Robbery, second degree Desecration of Human Remains, second degree Conspiracy (to Desecrate Human Remains) and second degree Hindering Apprehension. Preston Taylor, 19, also of Neptune City, was charged with second degree Desecration of Human Remains, second degree Conspiracy (to Desecrate Human Remains) and second degree Hindering Apprehension. Detectives determined that McAtasney was responsible for killing Stern and stealing property from her on December 2, 2016. The investigation also revealed that Taylor provided assistance to McAtasney in moving and ultimately disposing of Stern’s body in order to avoid detection.
These arrests are the culmination of an almost two-month investigation into the whereabouts of Stern, who was last seen at her Neptune City residence on the afternoon of December 2, 2016. An investigation was launched after her 1994 silver, four-door Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight, was found abandoned on the shoulder of the southbound lane of the Route 35 Bridge in Belmar. Neptune Township Police were alerted to the vehicle by a passerby. Stern’s deserted car was operational and the keys were found in the vehicle. At that time, no persons were in the area and the vehicle was subsequently towed from the road by the Neptune Township Police Department.
The Neptune Township Police Department contacted the Neptune City Police Department to request a welfare check of the registered owner of the vehicle. Upon arrival at the address of the registered owner, who is a family member of Stern’s, the residence was found unlocked and no one was home. Further investigation determined Sarah Stern was the missing driver of the vehicle and her family did not know of her whereabouts.
As a result of Stern’s vehicle being found unoccupied and on the bridge, the Belmar Water Rescue Team was called to search Shark River for any evidence of her body. The Belmar Water Rescue Team was assisted by the United States Coast Guard, the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team, the Area Network of Shore Water Emergency Responders Team and the New Jersey State Police. Those assets searched the Shark River with divers, boats and helicopters, but, to date, attempts to locate Stern have been unsuccessful.
On Sunday, December 4th, detectives from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office joined the investigation in an effort to locate Stern. Detectives from the Prosecutor’s Office and the Belmar and Neptune City Police Departments have continued to investigate her whereabouts since that time. The New Jersey State Police Missing Persons Unit and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children have also assisted in this investigation.
Recent developments in the investigation led detectives to McAtasney and Taylor and culminated in their arrests. Anyone with information that may assist in this investigation is asked to contact Detective Brian Weisbrot from the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office at (800) 533-7443, Detective Michael Vollbrecht of the Neptune City Police Department at (732) 775-1615, or Detective John Mahoney from the Belmar Police Department at (732) 681-1700.
The case is assigned to Assistant Prosecutor Christopher J. Decker, Director of the Office’s Major Crimes Bureau.
Anyone who feels the need to remain anonymous, but has information about a crime can contact Monmouth County Crime Stoppers confidential telephone tip-line by calling 1-800-671-4400; can text “MONMOUTH” plus their tip to 274637; or, they can email a tip via the website at:
www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com. Monmouth County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of criminals and fugitives. Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution and State law
Former Wall coach Dan Curcione appointed head football coach at Donovan Catholic
TOMS RIVER — A little less than two months removed from winning the South Jersey Group 3 title at Wall, Dan Curcione is moving on. Donovan Catholic announced Wednesday it named Curcione, the NJ.com Shore Conference Coach of the Year, its new head football coach replacing Tom Tarver, who was not rehired after an 0-10 season.…
Officials Oppose Civilian Housing at NWS Earle
MONMOUTH COUNTY-Public officials opposing private housing at Naval Weapons Station Earle are asking for a stay on civilian housing at the base.
NJ Senate Republicans Reported:
Senator Jennifer Beck, Freeholder Director Lillian Burry, Colts Neck Mayor Russell Macnow and Tinton Falls Mayor Gerald Turning issued the following statement in advance of the Feb. 1 expiration of the temporary stay on Balfour Beatty, the housing administrator for Naval Weapons Station Earle from seeking civilians to rent on-base housing. All officials voiced their support for an additional stay to be granted until local officials can meet with the new Assistant Secretary of the Navy on this issue.
“In light of the new administration at the Navy, I am seeking that an additional stay be granted so we can bring Navy officials up to speed with the widespread public opposition to the incredibly serious safety issues associated with this proposal. I remain opposed to the Navy’s plan allowing members of the general public to live on an active military weapons installation; it is dangerous and I will continue to fight tirelessly against it.” said Senator Beck.
Freeholder Director Lillian Burry stated she has had a long history of opposing privatization of “Weapons Station Earle” housing. “By virtue of the mission that Earle so aptly carries on the storage and movement of munitions this thought should never ever be entertained. The recent events in our area at Seaside Heights and Chelsea in New York, serve to amplify the fact that this base should be secured for military use only. And as I have in the past, I presently look forward to meeting with the new NAVY Administration.”
“Colts Neck has many questions regarding the viability of this proposal and the impact it will have on our municipality. We have many unanswered questions and are adamantly opposed to all forms of the suggestion that civilians should be housed at Naval Weapons Station Earle” said Colts Neck Mayor Russell Macnow.
“I am vehemently opposed to the current proposal to allow civilians to obtain housing at Earle and will work with my colleagues to explore all possible avenues to fight this proposal. First on the list must be to meet with the new Assistant Secretary of the Navy and outline our concerns directly to him” said Tinton Falls Mayor Gerald Turning.
Traffic Alert: Rt. 33 Closed Both Ways in Neptune
MVC car vs truck at RT 33 and Wayside Rd. RT 33 is closed in both directions, traffic is being diverted onto Fortunato and Wayside.
Singer, Sweeney Want NJ Taxpayers to Pay More for Broken Bail Reform Costs
TRENTON-A new bill was introduced this week in the New Jersey State Senate to allow for tax increases to cover the added expenses of managing New Jersey’s new Bail Reform and Speedy Trial Act. The new act which has created a well-oiled revolving door that benefits criminals and hinders law enforcement comes at a price and somebody has to pay for it.
The bail reform isn’t working. It’s letting criminals go free without bail and costing local towns and courts a lot of money. Instead of working on repealing it, two state senators want the taxpayers to pay more money to make it work.
The new act has created more paperwork for law enforcement entities and has been blamed for letting a two-time child sex offender in Little Egg Harbor walk free after sexually assaulting a child.
Now, New Jersey State Senators Steve Sweeney and Robert Singer want New Jersey taxpayers to bear the brunt of a criminal justice reform that just isn’t working.
The bill creates a one-year property tax levy cap exclusion for costs incurred by local units as a result of the implementation of bail reform pursuant to P.L.2014, c.31 (C.2A:162-15 et al.). The bill permits counties to add bail reform expenditures incurred during calendar year 2017 to the adjusted tax levy for calendar year 2018.
The Bill was introduced on Monday.
“In November 2014, the voters approved an amendment to Article I, paragraph 11 of the New Jersey Constitution, which allows the Legislature to pass laws concerning pretrial release and pretrial detention. P.L.2014, c.31 concerns several aspects of judicial administration,” the Singer-Sweeney bill said. “That law establishes statutory trial deadlines for persons being detained in jail, both pre- and post-indictment; reforms the manner in which determinations for bail and other forms of criminal pre-trial release are made; provides courts with the authority to deny pre-trial release and instead order pre-trial detention; and authorizes the Judiciary to revise and supplement fees to help fund a pre-trial risk assessment and monitoring program, and other court-related programs and services.”
According to the duo, “Published news reports indicate counties have incurred new costs associated with the bail reform initiative. Currently, such expenses are not excluded from the cap on increases in the county property tax levy. Without this temporary levy cap exclusion, county governments may be forced to limit expenditures on local priorities in order to support the bail reform program. Providing a levy cap exclusion will allow counties to budget for any additional costs to be incurred while maintaining local services.”
Bail reform in New Jersey has done nothing but let criminals go free and handcuff law enforcement since it was enacted on January 1st of this year, now the state wants the residents who have been exposed and endangered by this new and improve revolving door of justice to pay more to make it work.
Matawan man charged for death of bicyclist
Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey and Chief Darren Lavigne of the South Amboy Police Department said a Matawan man has been charged with causing the death of a bicyclist who died after he was struck by a car that was being driven by the defendant.
Francis Smith, 56, of Matawan was charged with aggravated manslaughter, death by auto, and leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash involving fatal injuries.
The charges were filed after William Nash, 57, of South Amboy died on January 18, 2017 from head injuries he suffered when he was struck while riding his bike on Main Street in South Amboy on January 17, 2017.
The charges were filed during an investigation by Officer Steven Clark of the South Amboy Police Department and Detective Donald Heck of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.
During the investigation, it was determined that Mr. Nash was riding on Main Street near Route 9 when the defendant, who was driving a 2012 Hundai Sonata, struck the victim from behind. The victim was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick.
Smith fled the scene but was apprehended a half-mile away when his car hit a curb and was disabled.
The defendant initially was charged with driving while intoxicated, aggravated assault and fleeing. The new charges were filed on January 22, 2017. Mr. Nash died at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick.
Smith has been in custody since he initially was charged with injuring Mr. Nash.
The investigation is active and is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Officer Clark of the South Amboy Police Department at (732) 721-0111, or Detective Heck of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745-8842.
Monmouth Beach Police Seeking to ID Motorist in Dumping Case
The Monmouth Beach Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance to identify the following individual.
Identity of driver sought by MBPD. Any information related to identity of motorist can be forwarded to Det. R. Rodriguez at 732-229-1313. pic.twitter.com/YbPyqgv78Q
— MB POLICE (@MBPD1333) January 30, 2017
Most NJ Governor Candidates, Governor Christie Silent on Bail Reform Failures in first 30 days
TOMS RIVER-With the apparent breakdown of bail reform in New Jersey in the first 30 days of its existence, New Jersey’s Republican candidates have kept their distance from the topic.
After a month filled with news releases published by many of the state’s municipal police departments cataloging several dozen cases of violent offenders being released back into the community without bail, one thing is clear, bail reform in New Jersey is not working as promised.
The subject was highlighted after a two-time child sexual predator was released back into the small southern Ocean County community of Little Egg Harbor to the dismay of the local police chief and Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph Coronato.
Only one candidate for Governor in the Republican primary responded to our requests for comment on New Jersey’s bail reform woes, Joseph Rullo who lives in Little Egg Harbor, ground zero for bail reform’s breakdown.
Rullo told us bail reform has many problems as it is now. Intended originally to allow low income offenders out of jail for minor offenses, it has become a golden ticket to get out of jail for some of New Jersey’s hardened criminals.
Rullo said New Jersey should not be releasing violent offenders back into the community without supervision. He added that the state raised taxes to pay for the $500 million cost of the reform.
“Bail reform is tying up police with needless paper work,” Rullo said. “Rather than being on patrol, but that paper work also adds to overtime for police, with added expense to the municipalities.”
Rullo said the biggest issue with bail reform from his standpoint, beyond the inherent public safety concerns is that now the public will have to pay for those who fail to return to court to be relocated and relocated. Prior to bail reform, the job of finding those who skipped bail was left up to private bail bondsmen at no cost to the public.
Now, according to Rullo, the municipalities will bear the cost of finding and returning those who skipped their court hearing, putting police departments in the unnecessary position, risking resources and officers in an effort to bring those people back to justice for a second time…sometimes third and fourth times.
As of this writing, neither the campaign for Kim Guadagno nor Jack Ciattarelli have responded to several requests for comment on this topic.
After an initial call by Peter McAleer, an appointed public information officer representing the New Jersey Courts, last week contesting our coverage of bail reform, McAleer has yet to address the topic since with us. A request for comment from Governor Chris Christie on the subject also was not answered.
Queens Teen Arrested After Making Threat to Carry Out School Shooting in NJ
by Charles Webster, MCPO
FREEHOLD-A Queens, New York, juvenile taken into police custody Sunday evening poses no threat to the safety of students after posting hoax threats to carry out a shooting at an undisclosed school. The juvenile caused the false alarm using a fictitious profile name on Facebook falsely claiming to belong to someone from Freehold Township, N.J. who attended Freehold Township High School.
The juvenile was arrested following an investigation by the Freehold Township Police Department with assistance from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and New York City Police Department.