In the News

Jackson Police Department Release

JACKSON-On Tuesday August 1, 2017, Jackson Police Detectives received information in reference to suspects who were reportedly going to be delivering a quantity of heroin to a location in Jackson Township. Information was also learned that one of the suspects may be armed.

 

HOWELL-A notice of public hearing has been published regarding the construction of a new facility in Howell Township to process 1,500 tons of solid waste on Randolph Road this week.

The meeting will take place on Thursday, July 27th at 1pm at the Monmouth County Hall of Records.  Residents are invited to come out to express their opinions on this new facility.

The construction of the facility will also require traffic safety upgrades on the roadways to accommodate the increase in heavy commercial and truck traffic in that area of the township.   A traffic signal and road improvements will be constructed at the intersection of Randolph Road and Lakewood-Farmingdale Road.

According to testimony by the Monmouth County Solid Waste Advisory Council, the facility will include a 25,000 square foot main building and an 8,000 square foot maintenance garage.  A scale house and office building are also part of the proposed waste station.

The facility will take in a steady stream of construction and demolition debris and operate Monday through Friday from 7am to 5pm and on Saturdays from 7am to noon.

 

Below is the public notice published by the county.

Notice of Public Hearing Proposed Amendment to the Monmouth County Solid Waste Management Plan A public hearing concerning a proposed amendment to the Monmouth County Solid Waste Management Plan will be held at 1:00 pm on Thursday, July 27, 2017, at the Monmouth County Hall of Records, Freeholder Meeting Room, 2nd Floor, One East Main Street, Freehold, New Jersey 07728. The purpose of this hearing is to hear and receive comments from persons interested in or affected by the adoption of this amendment that is described below. Plan Amendment 2017-04 Amend the Monmouth County Solid Waste Management Plan to include a new solid waste facility in the Monmouth County Solid Waste Management Plan.

This proposed facility will be a solid waste transfer station, which will be operated by Resource Engineering, LLC. This new solid waste facility is proposing to accept type ID 13 solid waste (bulky clean-up debris) and type ID 13C (bulky construction debris) for sorting, removing recyclable material from, and transferring to an out of state disposal facility for final disposal. This solid waste transfer station is proposing to accept 1,500 tons per day of this material for transfer. As part of this amendment to the Solid Waste Management Plan, the applicant will also enter into a Developer’s Agreement with the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders to make improvements to the intersection of County Route 547 (Lakewood-Farmingdale Road) and Randolph Road, which include a traffic signal. Copies of this proposed Plan Amendment can be reviewed at the Municipal Clerk’s office of each municipality in Monmouth County as well as the branches of the Monmouth County Library System.

Written comments received by the County will be appended in the record of public hearing and the record will be held open for written comments until 4:00 pm on August 4, 2017. Written comments should be sent to the Solid Waste Coordinator, c/o Monmouth County Reclamation Center, 6000 Asbury Avenue, Tinton Falls, NJ 07753. Any questions regarding this hearing or proposed amendments may be directed to Stuart Newman, Monmouth County Solid Waste Coordinator (phone 732-683-8686 ext. 8961)

ENGLISHTOWN — Run, get muddy, run, get muddy, run, fall in muddy water — repeat. The Rugged Maniac 5K obstacle race and mud run came to Raceway Park on Sunday, with 27 obstacles that spanned the more than three-mile-long course. Small groups and large groups cheered each other on and helped others over, under and through…

LAKEWOOD — Officials are asking the public’s help to identify a sport utility vehicle they say hit a woman and then sped away Sunday night in the township, leaving her with serious injuries. The hit-and-run happened just before 11 p.m. at the corner of Cedarbridge and Hurley avenues, police said. The woman suffered serious injuries and…

by Al Della Fave, OCPO

LAKEWOOD-Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and State Comptroller Philip James Degnan announced today the first of multiple ongoing arrests within Lakewood, New Jersey by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office for defrauding Medicaid and government assistance programs.  The investigations initiated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Red Bank Office and the  New Jersey Office of the State Comptroller – Medicaid Fraud Division, were expanded to include the US Social Security Administration, New Jersey Department of the Treasury – Office of Criminal Investigation, and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office – Economic Crimes Unit.  Today’s initial arrests include charges of collecting $1.3 million in illegal benefits.

Prosecutor Coronato stated, “Financial assistance programs are designed to alleviate family hardships for those truly in need.  My office gave clear guidance and notice to the Lakewood community in 2015 of what is considered financial abuse of these programs.  Those who choose to ignore those warnings by seeking to illegally profit on the backs of taxpayers will pay the punitive price of their actions.”

OCPO detectives/prosecutors, along with its collaborating agencies, began the first phase of the operation by arresting two married couples.  Mordechai, 37, and Jocheved, 35, Breskin of Blue Jay Way in Lakewood, were arrested and charged with 2nd Degree Theft by Deception for wrongfully collecting approximately $585,662 in Medicaid, SNAP, HUD and SSI benefits between January 2009 thru December 2014.    Zalmen, 39, and Tzipporah, 35, Sorotzkin of Olive Court collecting approximately $338,642 in Medicaid, SNAP, HUD and SSI benefits between January 2009 and April 2014.  A Detention Hearing is scheduled for 1:30 pm today at Ocean County Superior Court.

The nature of the criminal events investigated and basic charges allege that the defendants misrepresented their income, declaring amounts that were low enough to receive the program’s benefits, when in fact their income was too high to qualify.  The investigations revealed that the defendants’ received income from numerous sources that they failed to disclose on required program applications.  As a result, they received benefits that they were not entitled to under these programs for themselves or family members.

“This operation highlights the success of federal, state and county cooperation in New Jersey’s effort to combat Medicaid and other government benefits fraud,” State Comptroller Degnan said. “My office will continue to ensure that only individuals and families truly in need of benefits receive them, and that those who choose to steal from New Jersey taxpayers are referred for prosecution.”

The Ocean County Prosecutors Office is prosecuting the above arrested individuals at the state level.  The Federal Bureau of Investigations arrested four additional individuals as a part of its’ role in the comprehensive review of financial assistance programs.  Information regarding the FBI facilitated arrests continues below:

Rachel Sorotzkin, 32, and Mordechai Sorotzkin, 35, are charged by complaint with one count of conspiring to steal government funds. Yocheved Nussbaum, 40, and Shimon Nussbaum, 42, also of Lakewood, are charged in a separate complaint with one count of conspiring to steal government funds. The Sorotzkins and the Nussbaums, all of Lakewood, are expected to make their appearances this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Douglas E. Arpert in Trenton federal court.

According to the complaints:

From 2011 through 2014, Rachel and Mordechai Sorotzkin applied for and received Medicaid health insurance benefits for themselves and their children. After being approved for Medicaid benefits in August of 2011, the Sorotzkins received significant windfalls – including a lump sum payment of $1 million from Rachel Sorotzkin’s business in April of 2013 – which they failed to report to Medicaid officials. Despite earning in excess of $1 million in each of the 2012 and 2013 calendar years, the Sorotzkins continued to use their Medicaid cards, ultimately defrauding the government of approximately $96,000 in taxpayer-funded medical care.

In a separate scheme, Yocheved and Shimon Nussbaum applied for and received public benefits for themselves and their children from 2011 through 2014, despite their significant income. In the years prior to and during the conspiracy, the Nussbaums created a variety of companies that were nominally run by relatives but were actually controlled by the Nussbaums.

They opened various bank accounts in the names of these companies and used funds from these accounts to cover personal expenses.

In applying for Medicaid, Section 8 housing, and SNAP food benefits, the Nussbaums grossly underreporting their true income by failing to include the income from these business accounts. Despite annual income of up to as high as approximately $1.8 million in 2013, the Nussbaums continued to receive taxpayer-funded health, housing and food benefits through August of 2014, ultimately defrauding the government of approximately $178,000.

The conspiracy counts each carry a maximum potential penalty of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense.

Acting U.S. Attorney Fitzpatrick in his press release credited special agents with the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Timothy Gallagher in Newark; the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato; the New Jersey Office of the State Comptroller, under the direction of State Comptroller Philip James Degnan; the New Jersey Department of the Treasury – Office of Criminal Investigation; under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Charles Giblin; Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge John Grasso;  and criminal investigators of the U.S. Attorney’s Office with the investigation leading to today’s arrests.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Molly S. Lorber of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Trenton.

The investigation by all the participating agencies is continuing and additional arrests are forthcoming.  OCPO and our prosecuting partners may add additional relevant charges (ie. Tax charges) as each case proceeds through the legal process.  Anyone with any information is asked to contact Sergeant Mark Malinowski of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 929-2027.

TOMS RIVER – Work to replace the Whitesville Road Culvert on Whitesville Road in Jackson Township is expected to start mid-summer.

“This project will include a stronger structure with an earthen bottom that will be more environmentally beneficial,” said Ocean County Freeholder John P. Kelly, Director of Law and Public Safety.

The Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders is expected to award a contract for the work to Lucas Construction Group, Inc., Red Bank, in the amount of $1,129,129 at its June 7 public meeting. The Board discussed the project during its May 31 preboard.

The culvert runs over the Dove Mill Branch, a tributary of the Toms River.

The project includes replacing a corrugated metal pipe with a 6-foot wide concrete rectangular structure. The new structure will have improved hydraulics and increased longevity compared to the existing metal pipe.

As is becoming typical for this type of infrastructure upgrade, the new culvert will not have a concrete floor but will have an earthen bottom that will replicate the existing stream bottom upstream and downstream of this culvert in order to provide a more environmentally friendly condition.

“The Ocean County Engineering Department looks at all possibilities when designing infrastructure upgrades,” said Kelly, who serves as engineering liaison. “We implement many safety and environmental upgrades in all of our projects.”

A culvert is the pipe that runs from one side of the road to the other and helps to move a small stream or carries water underneath the road.

Ocean County maintains 259 bridges and culverts along with 623 county road miles.

“The County has a program to upgrade its infrastructure whether it be roadways, bridges or the pipes under our roadways that typically go unnoticed by the general public,” Kelly said.

“It’s imperative to maintain our roads and infrastructure so our motorists and pedestrians are safe,” said Ocean County Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari.

Staged construction will be used for this project which will allow two lanes of traffic to be maintained during the construction. The work is expected to be completed in six months.

TOMS RIVER– A Brick Township man faces more than 20 years in prison after a jury found him guilty of attempted murder Thursday for stabbing his fiance during a dispute, app.com reported. Christopher Dalzell, 61, got into an argument with Robin Mendoza at their home over a cell phone on March 29, 2015. Dalzell plunged a…

A Brick Township man was arrested Saturday after he arranged to engage in sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl online, announced Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.
Craig Sorokach, 28, of Sawmill Road in Brick, was charged following an investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office working in conjunction with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC). He is charged with Attempted Sexual Assault, Luring, Enticing a Child by Various Means, Attempted Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and Attempted Obscenity to a Minor after he arranged to meet with the girl in Howell.
Anyone with any information about this case or anyone who has been a victim of Sorokach’s activities are urged to call Detective Tiffany Lenart of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office at 1-800-533-7443.
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 U.S. Constitution and State law.

Free parenting course, starting Monday, May 15th.

Topics include discipline, cooperation, respect, trust, encouragement, single parenting, anger management, drug abuse prevention, constructive criticism, and humor!

Certificate awarded at completion of program. The STEP Parenting program satisfies the requirements of some Family Court ordered cases. All materials provided free of charge.

STATEN ISLAND — Former Linden police officer Pedro Abad – who is charged in the crash that killed two men – gave a rambling statement to reporters Thursday, saying he repulsed by his former lifestyle and prays daily to those killed in the wreck. “The person I am now, I look back and it’s disgusting,” Abad…

It has been more than 140 years since J. Sterling Morton founded Arbor Day. His simple idea of setting aside a special day for tree planting is now more important than ever. A celebration of Arbor Day was held April 26 at the H&M Potter School in Berkeley Township. Joining Ocean County Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari and Township Mayor Carmen Amato were the 3rd and 4th grade student council members from the H&M Potter School, members of the Ocean County Shade Tree Commission, the Ocean County Road Department and the community in celebration of Arbor Day. As part of the ceremony, a Willow Oak was planted at the school in memory of Damon Wiencke Sr. who worked tirelessly as a member of the county’s road department tree crew for 14 years. He died in June at the age of 48. He attended elementary school at the H&M Potter School.

An court ordered ankle bracelet placed on a suspected drug dealer wasn’t enough to keep him off the streets of Ocean County this week in Brick.   Rashon Brown was arrested again, while wearing his ankle bracelet, courtesy of the New Jersey Bail Reform and Speedy Trial Act when police officers in Howell Township caught him “slinging rock”, heroin and marijuana in their town.

According to a police report by the Howell Township Police Department:

On April 11, 2017, Howell Township Crime Suppression Unit (Capt. Thomas Rizzo #237, DSGT Jack Headley #242, Det. TJ Hurley #192, Det. Robert Ortenzi #604, Det. Ryan Richards #635, Det. David Gilliland #637, and K9 Nicholas Bondarew #610/Vito) arrested three subjects from Ocean County after they were found to be in possession of approximately five hundred (500) folds of heroin, crack cocaine, marijuana, and cash.

At approximately 4:00pm, Det. Gilliland keenly observed a 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe, traveling at a high rate of speed on Herbertsville Road (Rt.549). Det. Gilliland initiated a motor vehicle stop, after a plate inquiry also revealed that the registered owner had a suspended driver’s license.

Subsequent to the stop, Det. Gilliland identified the occupants, starting with the driver as Roosevelt Harris (Age:38 of Brick Twp.), front passenger as Jerel Wallace (Age:40 of Asbury Park/Brick), and rear passenger as Rashon Brown (Age:34 of Brick) who was not wearing a seatbelt. As Crime Suppression Unit officers also arrived on location, suspicion of narcotics activity became evident to include the odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle.

As the three subjects exited the vehicle, rear passenger, Rashon Brown, was observed to have an electronic monitoring device secured to his ankle. Brown advised that the device was placed on him to ensure a curfew of 9:00pm, subsequent to a recent arrest in Brick Twp. Electronic monitoring is one of the alternative options to incarceration, offered by the new Bail Reform initiative. As checks were conducted on each subject, Brown was also found to have an active traffic warrant, issued by Brick Twp., and was arrested without incident.

After explaining the suspicion of narcotics activity, Det. Gilliland requested the driver, Roosevelt Harris’ consent to search the vehicle. Harris authorized the search. As a search of the vehicle commenced, Det. Ryan Richards located a hidden compartment within the upper dashboard of the Tahoe. Within the compartment, a plastic bag containing approximately five hundred (500) folds of heroin stamped “Blue Magic” & “Blue Ink” was located in addition to a cotton sock containing a clear package of suspected crack cocaine. Two other hidden compartments were located within the Tahoe by Capt. Rizzo and Det. Hurley, however, both did not contain any further contraband. A total of $415.00 in cash was found within the vehicle, in addition to five cellular telephones. Harris and front passenger, Jerel Wallace were then also arrested without incident. Subsequent to a search incident to his arrest, Harris was also found to be in possession of marijuana within his own sock.

The Chevy Tahoe was towed from the scene as forfeiture will be sought. Harris, Wallace, and Brown were all criminally charged with Possession of CDS (Heroin), Possession of CDS (Heroin) with the Intent to Distribute, Possession of CDS (Crack Cocaine), and Possession of CDS (Crack Cocaine) with the Intent to Distribute. Harris was also criminally charged with
Possession of CDS (Marijuana) and issued a motor vehicle summons for Possession of CDS in a motor vehicle. Brown was also cited for his failure to wear a seatbelt. All three subjects were then transported to Monmouth County Correctional Institute, as per the new Bail Reform guide.

Stock Photo by Jérémy-Günther-Heinz Jähnick

MANAHAWKIN-Laura Flynn scored 4 goals and had 1 assist to lead the Rams to a 12-9 win against Jackson Memorial on Wednesday.  Mildred Timley saved 10, but 12 got through.  On the other side of the field, Clare McCarthy stopped 8 shots on goal for the win in the close game.

Heather Devaney scored 3 goals for the Jags, Sabrina Chandler and Emily Lasko each scored 2.

For the Rams, Crystina Blaney, Shannon Lytle and Alexis Maul each scored 2 goals.

Team	1	2	Final
Jackson Memorial	4	5	9
Southern	10	2	12

BRICK-The Township of Brick and the Brick Township Police Department have created a Safe Exchange Zone at the Municipal Building to provide residents with a place to complete online transactions and custody exchange. The Safe Exchange Zone is located in the rear of the Brick Township Municipal Building to the west of the entrance to the Police Department. The Zone will be under surveillance 24 hours a day.

“We are excited to provide this invaluable service to the resident of Brick Township. There has been a sharp increase in people using social media and the internet to sell and buy goods. The Safe Exchange Zone was created to provide anyone who is tentative or concerned about buying or selling goods with a safe place to complete their transactions,” said Mayor Ducey. “We certainly encourage anyone who has concerns to err on the side of caution and safety and use the Safe Exchange Zone.”

JACKSON-Strategic Equity Solutions, of Lakewood is proposing to build a 25,095 square foot office and warehouse for use by multiple tenants at the intersection of Solar Avenue and Corporal Luigi Luigi Marciante Memorial Drive.    According to the application before the Jackson zoning board, the 2.4 acre parcel is zoned LZ (Limited Commercial) under the township’s master plan.

A variance is required because the intended use does not confirm with the zoning of the property.

The applicant also seeks to gain a variance to confirm with a 200 foot lot frontage requirement on Solar Avenue where just 160 feet exists.    The application also seeks to gain a variance for various other required setback shortfalls for parking and non-residential setback requirements.

The plan is being proposed by Strategic Equity Solutions of 730 West Kennedy Boulevard in Lakewood.

The plan could be heard as early as the April 5th township zoning board meeting.  Attorney Steven Leone of Carluccio, Leone, Dimon, Doyle & Sacks is representing the developer.

 

RED BANK – Ally Benier knew what she would be having for lunch on Wednesday days in advance. The 25-year-old Toms River resident works in Red Bank and orders from the Jersey Mike’s Sub on Water Street often throughout the year, but Wednesday was different. The money from her purchase would not be going to the…

TOMS RIVER — A Lakewood drug dealer currently on the lam after he was mistakenly being released from prison in July faces a life sentence after being convicted Wednesday of leading a narcotics network, authorities said Thursday. Daryel Rawls, 36, was found guilty of multiple drug charges including being the leader of a narcotics trafficking network…

JACKSON-Jackson resident Robert Skinner stood up at Tuesday night’s Jackson Township council meeting in support of a township ordinance seeking to ban dormitories and addressed the group of Orthodox Jewish men present who were protesting the ordinance.

“I work in New York, I have a huge, huge Jewish clientele, so let’s not go there,” Skinner said as he addressed the Orthodox audience.  “I’ve seen a lot of changes in Jackson and I’ve seen a lot of changes in Lakewood.”

Skinner, a commercial real estate broker in Manhattan also serves as an elected member of the Ocean County Republican Committee.  Skinner also serves as an appointed member and current chairman of Jackson’s Rent Leveling Control Board.

Skinner criticized the township of Lakewood over rampant overbuilding, overpopulation and traffic problems.  He also took aim at Lakewood’s sexual segregation of school bussing.

“There’s all kinds of alleged things going on over there,” Skinner said. “I can tell you not from a religious bias perspective, but from my own perspective, in a very civilized manner, I don’t want that here.”

“I have no religious bias,” Skinner added. “When I see what happens next door, it makes me really cringe, it makes me rather worried about what could be happening. It has absolutely nothing to do with religion.”

At one point during his speech, Councilman Ken Bressi asked Skinner to stop addressing the audience.

“Bob, turn around please,” Bressi said. “Please address the council.”

He continued his speech.

“To use that religious bias thing, is getting really old,” Skinner said.  “I have no religious bias.”

Skinner’s speech to the council and the Orthodox community was met with a round of applause.

Video: YouTube, First Amendment Activist.

From the Jackson Police Department:

Today Chief Kunz presented Police Officer Keith Hood with his Detective Shield to recognize his transfer to the Investigative Services Division.

Detective Hood joined the Jackson Police Department in 2002 and has served as a patrol officer on the day, afternoon and midnight shifts and also as a member of the agency’s Special Response Team and Firearms Training Unit.

Please join us as we wish him continued success with his new assignment in the Detective Bureau.

by Brick Police Department

BRICK-On February 4, 2016 at approximately 1:30 PM, Monmouth County Sheriff’s Department 911 received a call from a 3 year old girl, calling from her mother‘s cell phone. The 3 year old reported she could not wake her mother.
Monmouth County Public Safety Telecommunication Operator Richard Incremona kept the girl on the line until Monmouth County was able trace the cell phone number to an address. The address found was in the Kentwood Apartments in Brick Township. Monmouth County Dispatch contacted Brick Police and briefed Brick Police Dispatcher Kimberly Greenspan on the call.

Officers were dispatched to the Kentwood address and were able to ascertain that the mother and daughter lived at another address in Brick Township. Dispatcher Greenspan kept the three year old on the phone and was able to retrieve vital information from the three year old. When police arrived the daughter was instructed by Dispatcher Greenspan on unlocking the front door to let them in. The mother was assessed by first aid and transported to a local hospital.

On February 21, 2017 members from both law enforcement agencies came together to meet with the three year old and her mom to acknowledge the child’s actions. Due to the efforts of this three year old girl and the quick thinking of both dispatchers we can report that mom is doing fine and is extremely proud of her daughter.

JACKSON-According to a report on My9NJ and Chasing News, a 13 year old Jackson Boy has been kicked out of CCD class at St. Aloysius Church simply for being gay.    According to the boy’s father, the church pulled his son out of class after another parent lodged a complaint saying the boy’s presence in class was “uncomfortable”.

“I think it’s quite obnoxious to be pushing a sexual orientation in a Catholic CCD class, it’s quite outrageous,” said host Bill Spadea.  The boy’s father disputed Spadea’s last second assault on his son in the video saying that was not the case and the complaint arose simply after another parent complained to the pastor.

 

You can read the full story here.

 

JACKSON– A Jackson Township Councilman’s veterans memorial charity is once again the recipient of a sizeable charitable donation from a company that provides water line insurance coverage to its customers under an agreement between the company and the authority.

In 2008, the Jackson MUA chose HomeserveUSA and began offering its customers optional contract services for line coverage.  In return for the business in Jackson, HomeserveUSA kicks back a percentage of that revenue in the form of donations to local charities in Jackson.

The majority of that money goes to the Jackson Food Pantry which received $20,729.65 in donations between 2009 and 2016.

Other charities include Adopt-A-Senior Program ($1,000 in 2016), Jackson Relay for Life ($1,319 in2016), Jackson Memorial Band Parents Inc. ($1,750 in 2014), Jackson First Aid Squad ($2,000 in 2012), Jackson VFW Post 4702 ($2,650 in 2011), and Inches of Hope ($5,529 from 2014-2016).

The second largest recipient of the grant money was awarded to Councilman Ken Bressi’s Jackson Veterans Memorial which received a total of $8,479 between 2013 and 2016.

While many charities in town receive small one-time donations, Bressi’s charity, has received annual funding.  Bressi is a councilman in Jackson Township and also serves on the Jackson Township Planning Board.

The decision making body that decides which charities in town receive the contributions from HomeserveUSA is the board of directors of the Jackson MUA.  The board of directors are a politically appointed body, appointed by the Jackson Township Council, for which Bressi votes.

The current board includes Clara Glory, who served as Bressi’s campaign manager in 2016 and another high ranking member of the Jackson Republican Club.  Todd Porter, the Republican Club president, and Chairman William Allman also sit on the MUA commissioners board.  Bressi’s wife Karen is an employee at the Jackson MUA.

Bressi’s charity received $1,319.65 in December again.  Other charities receiving funding this year in the amount of $1319.65 include Inches of Hope, Adopt-A-Senior and Jackson Relay for Life.

TOMS RIVER-As the follies of New Jersey’s bail reform continue to add up, one Ocean County elected official says it’s time to lock up the flawed bail reform system and throw away the key.

Ocean County Freeholder Joseph Vicari today, along with fellow board members vowed their support to the law abiding public in Ocean County and stood with Ocean County law enforcement, calling for the abolition of the new law.

Press Release by the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders

TOMS RIVER-THE STATE’S so-called bail reform law is costing taxpayers millions of dollars while threatening to release potentially dangerous criminals back into the community, two Ocean County Freeholders said.

Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari and Deputy Director Gerry P. Little today commended the Ocean County Association of Chiefs of Police for its recent opposition to the bail reform laws.
“These law enforcement professionals and leaders from all of our municipalities agree that this version of bail reform is not working,” Vicari said. “We’re not against reviewing and improving our bail regulations, but we are against this law.”

The Chief’s Association on February 10 unanimously approved a resolution calling for the appeal of the reform legislation, calling it “dangerous, onerous and fiscally disastrous.”
Little went one step further, calling the state-mandated law, “nothing but a Get-Out-of-Jail-Free card.”

Little argued that the original public question placed before voters in 2014 was not only inaccurate, but also “disingenuous.”

“In no way did the question ask whether voters wanted the courts to release sex offenders, drug dealers, burglars and other potentially violent criminals back on the streets without bail,” Little said. “Judges already had the power to release or hold suspects with or without bail.”

The actual question on the November 2014 ballot read:

“Do you approve amending the Constitution to allow a court to order pretrial detention of a person in a criminal case? This would change the current constitutional right to bail. The change to the Constitution would mean that a court could order that a person remain in jail prior to a trial even without a chance for the person to post bail, in some situations.”
Vicari said the facts concerning the number of prisoners released state-wide before trial confirm the Freeholders’ concerns.

According to a statement issued by the New Jersey State PBA on February 7th, bail was set for only 3 out of 3,382 suspects that came before judges in January.

“We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our police officers in opposition to these dangerous changes,” Vicari said.

Vicari and Little also praised the New Jersey Association of Counties for filing a suit before the state Council on Mandates arguing that the legislation falls under the “State Mandate, State Pay” statutes and is therefore unconstitutional unless fully funded by Trenton.

Vicari said the county estimates that complying with the regulations will cost taxpayers about $2.4 million in new staff, equipment and capital expenses.
“NJAC is absolutely correct – the state mandated these costs and under the state Constitution they should pay to implement this program,” Vicari said.
However, the Freeholder said a better proposal would be to scrap the law and start fresh.

“It’s time to throw it out and come up with a better plan that both protects our residents and controls costs,” Vicari said.

Courtesy Child Seat Safety Inspection Event – The Lacey Township Police Department is hosting a courtesy (non-enforcement) Child Seat Safety Check at the Lanoka Harbor Fire House on Route 9 and Warren Avenue in Lanoka Harbor, on Wednesday, February 15, 2017. The event will be held rain or shine from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Specially trained certified child seat technicians from the Lacey Township Police Department and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department will be on site to conduct a courtesy child seat inspection of installed seats and to assist participants in the proper installation of child seats.

The officers of the Lacey Township Police Department are dedicated to child safety. Over 80% of child safety seats currently installed in vehicles are either the wrong seats for the child being transported or are incorrectly installed. Technicians, will assist not only in the inspection of the seats but will also educate caregivers on the proper seat selection and installation.

The event is being hosted by the Lacey Township Police Department with assistance from the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department. Inspections are expected to take approximately 20 minutes per vehicle.

The Associated Press ran an “explainer” story about the federal H-1B visa program on Tuesday afternoon that experts say includes highly questionable, even debunked, claims about the guest worker program. The controversial program allows foreign workers into the United States to fill specific employment opportunities with participating companies. “The statement that it isn’t supposed displace American…