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Chiropractor had fentanyl, charged patients for services he didn't provide, grand jury says

TOMS RIVER — A Lakewood chiropractor was indicted Tuesday on charges he submitted insurance claims for work he didn’t do. The grand jury indictment charged Carlo Amato, 55, of Beachwood, with four counts of healthcare claim fraud and one count each of theft by deception and possession of fentanyl, according to court documents. The indictment said…

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.

Singer, sweeney want nj taxpayers to pay more for broken bail reform costs
Photos: top: nj senator steve sweeney. Above: robert singer, representing lakewood township.

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.

Donovan Catholic Crowned Powerlifting Champions

Success continues for the Donovan Catholic powerlifting team as they take home a national title.  The program has been hailed as a powerlifting powerhouse in recent years, gaining recognition statewide in the sport.

 

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.

Kelaher swears in new auxiliary police volunteers

TOMS RIVER-During last week’s Toms River Township council meeting, Mayor Kelaher administered new oaths of office to members of the Auxiliary Police at their annual swearing in ceremony. The Toms River Auxiliary Police is comprised of volunteer citizens, both men and women, who donate their time to help the community. They perform varies duties including traffic/crowd control at civic events, uniformed patrols, first aid, CPR, calls for service, community events and details.

Brick, Toms River Residents Identified as Victims of Fatal Parkway Crash

Police identify 2 killed in Parkway crash

ABERDEEN — Police have identified the two people killed in a crash on the Garden State Parkway Saturday afternoon. Kyia Fredericks, 25, of Brick, and Rene Munoz, 29, of Toms River, were in a Chevrolet Camaro when it stopped in the center lane of the southbound express lanes of the Parkway around 3:30 p.m., near milepost…

Mariners Finish 3rd at SCT Track Championship

Toms River High School North’s  Boy’s track team for placed 3rd at this past weekend’s Shore Conference Championships.  Senior Ryan Roger won the shot put with a throw of 57’11”. This is the 5th longest throw of the season throughout the state. Senior Bryce Watts took 2nd in 55 meters with a time of this season.

Pictured is Senior Ryan Roger and Coach Jack Boylan.

Team Mascot Proposes at High School Basketball Game

Toms River High School North alumni Brielle Douress was shocked at last Thursday’s Mariners basketball game when her fiancé showed up as the Mariner Mascot “Salty” and proposed to her at halftime.

Watch: Trump Order Vows to Reduce Regulations that Hurt America's Small Businesses

WASHINGTON, DC-President Donald Trump today signed an executive order to reduce the amount of regulations that currently hinder small business in America.

Trump said there will continue to be regulation and control, but it will be normalized to allow people to open and grow their small businesses more freely.

“They’re great people, they have been representative of the small business community,” Trump said.  Trump added that for every one new regulation imposed on small business, two existing regulations would have to be eliminated.

https://www.facebook.com/CSPAN/videos/10155241719945579/

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.

 

1 to 3 inches of snow expected to fall overnight in Ocean County

The National Weather Service is forecasting between 1 to 3 inches of snow in Ocean County with southern areas receiving the higher end of the forecast.

Southern Ocean County can see up to 3 inches while northern Ocean County can expect 1-2 inches of snow late Sunday night and early Monday morning.

 

Report: Homeless Man Charged with Aggravated Sexual Assault Released under Bail Reform Act

FRANKLIN TWP, GLOUCESTER CO.-A homeless man from California, living in New Jersey was arrested in Franklinville by Franklin Township police officers on Tuesday, January 17th.

Police charged Lester R. Cook, 23, with aggravated sexual assault, with penetration.

No further details were made available, but Cook was immediately released with a summons by police under direction of the judge, according to the New Jersey Bail Reform Act.

Source: NJ Bail Reform

JFK Boulevard Paving Part of $1 Million Grant Received by Berkeley Township

BERKELEY –  Mayor Carmen F. Amato, Jr., is pleased to announce that Berkeley Township will receive nearly 1 Million Dollars in grants from the State of  New Jersey.

“I am pleased that we will be receiving $712,380 in Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Funding, administered by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority along with a $275,000 grant from the State of New Jersey, Department of Transportation in Local Aid Infrastructure Funding.” Mayor Amato said.

“The 712,380 grant awarded through the Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund (HDSRF) will be used specifically at the Beachwood Mall site.” Mayor Amato said.

The funding will be utilized to investigate areas of concern identified in past preliminary studies. The proposed Remedial Investigation (RI) scope of work will be done into two (2) phases; the front portion, which consists of the former mall site with the second phase of the proposed RI activities being on the back portion, which consists of the Former South Brunswick Asphalt Plant.

“This will funding will enable the Township to get a full and complete picture of what is on the site, which will assist the redeveloper in remediation.” Mayor Amato said.

T & M Associates, the Township Planners, will be doing the work associated with the HDSRF grant.

“The $275,000 grant awarded from the State of New Jersey, Department of Transportation in Local Aid Infrastructure Fund, funded the work for the resurfacing of JFK Blvd and Atlantic Ave.” Mayor Amato said.

“I want to thank Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno and her staff for their assistance in making sure Berkeley Township received this critical funding for this project. With 271 miles of municipal roadways, JFK Blvd, was by far in the worse condition and needed to be resurfaced badly. This funding enabled this to occur and we are grateful.” Mayor Amato said.

Man Accidentally Killed with Shotgun While Hunting

by Al DellaFave, OCPO

BERKELEY TWP-On Saturday January 28, 2017 at 8:46 am, Berkeley Township Police were dispatched to the wooded area of 100 Locker Street following a 9-1-1 call stating a male had been shot while hunting.

Berkeley Township Police and MONOC Unit 712 responded and the body of A 26 y/o male from Barnegat, NJ was pronounced dead via telemetry at 9:08am by Dr.Juarez from Newark Beth Israel Hospital. The decedent was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River.

The scene was immediately secured and Det. Matthew Scutti and Det. Laudicina of the Ocean County Sheriff Department (CSI) processed the scene. The shotgun used in this matter has been secured with the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department.

Ocean County Major Crimes Unit Det. John Carroll and John Murphy, along with Berkeley Township Police Det. Joseph Santoro, were assigned to lead the investigation. Preliminarily their investigation found the victim, his father and two friends were out hunting deer. One of the victims’ friends, a 41 y/o male from Forked River discharged his shotgun while hunting and struck the decedent killing him. After hearing the gunshot the victim’s father immediately attempted to render aid while 9-1-1 was called.

Toms River Township Takes Heat for Latest Round of Beach Sand Replenishment in Ortley Beach

Toms River Township will use money from a $5 million capital bond from 2016 to replace the berms that were washed away during last week’s nor’easter that hit the Jersey Shore.

The township contracted with Cardinal Construction which has been has been working since Thursday in Ortley Beach dumping truckloads of sand back on the beach.  Once the work is complete in Ortley, crews will begin the replenishment in Normandy Beach.

A statement from the town said the project is expected to take about a week, depending on weather conditions. Cardinal will be delivering approximately 1,500 to 2,000 loads of sand, 30,000 cubic yards overall.

Township officials however took some heat on social media over the cost of the project and the thought of once again, trucking in sand to protect the community which may ultimately wash out to sea again.

“Such a waste of money,” wrote Hector Rodriguez.  “The only way to reduce beach erosion is a sea wall.”

“Keep wasting tax dollars instead of building a wall,” wrote Paul Maccarone.

“The sea wall in Brick has proved unsuccessful from mother nature’s wrath,” responded an unidentified Toms River official.  “It has been damaged numerous times with sand washing away and portions of the wall exposed.”

“A complete waste of time and money,” responded Ed Lefebvre.

“Love seeing my yearly increases in tax dollars get washed away,” wrote Kyle Behnken.  “What a waste.”

“The Army Corps dune and beach replenishment project is expected to start this spring – hopefully within 90 days,” the township said. “Mayor Kelaher and the governing body are pushing hard for the project to start in Ortley Beach first.”

Toms river township takes heat for latest round of beach sand replenishment in ortley beach

Uncle Gino's gets Official Grand Opening in Brick

Uncle Gino’s Market took over the former Brick Township Top Tomato location in November of last year, but today, the township hosted an official ceremonial grand opening for the business.

The privately owned 7,000 square foot market on Brick Boulevard is similar in most ways to Top Tomato.    Customers to the new business have been raving about the store’s cleanliness and product freshness since opening.

Top Tomato had several chains in New Jersey, including Freehold and Brick, but as of this year, only their Staten Island locations remain open.

Owner Gino Palummo’s business was welcomed to the township by Mayor John Ducey.

Report: One Dead in Jackson Crash

JACKSON-The Jackson Police Department today said 25 year old Shane R. Stewart, a township man has been killed as the result of a single vehicle crash early Saturday morning.

The Police Department Reported: 

The Jackson Police Department is currently investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash which occurred early this morning on Freehold Road and is seeking any witnesses to the incident.

On January 28, 2017 at approximately 2:00 am, officers and emergency personnel responded to a serious motor vehicle crash on Freehold Road. The crash involved one vehicle, which had only one occupant. The operator was identified as Shane R. Stewart, age 25, of Jackson, NJ. Preliminary investigation shows that the vehicle was traveling south on Freehold Road when for unknown reasons it crossed the center line into the north bound lane, then continued off the north bound side of the roadway where the vehicle struck a tree.

Jackson First Aid Squad also responded to the scene.

The crash is under investigation by P.O. Don Lasko of the Jackson Township Police Dept. Traffic Safety Bureau, overseen by Sgt. George Vidalis of the Traffic Bureau.

Any witnesses to the crash are asked to contact the Jackson Police Department at (732)928-1111

Man Who Pushed State Trooper Out of Moving Vehicle During Car Jacking Gets 10 Years in Prison

TRENTON-A a Newark man was sentenced to prison on Friday for a violent crime spree in which he seriously injured a State Police detective when the detective tried to stop him from committing a carjacking and was ejected from the moving vehicle.Terry Saunders, 28, aka Tarik Smith, of Newark, N.J., was sentenced today to 10 years in state prison, including 8 ½ years of parole ineligibility, by Superior Court Judge Michael L. Ravin in Essex County. Saunders pleaded guilty on Nov. 14 to first-degree carjacking, first-degree robbery, and second-degree aggravated assault. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison on each of the first-degree charges, and five years on the second-degree charge, with the sentences to run concurrently. All of the charges fall under the No Early Release Act, so he must serve 85 percent of the sentences without possibility of parole.

Deputy Attorney General Annmarie Taggart, deputy chief of the Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau, handled the sentencing for the Division of Criminal Justice.

“Once behind the wheel of a stolen car, Saunders wielded that car like a weapon, with zero regard for the life of anyone who got in his way,” said Attorney General Porrino. “The State Police detective in this case is a true hero who risked his life to take this violent criminal off the street.”

“This sentence ensures that Saunders will serve a lengthy term behind bars, where he can’t commit robberies or threaten the lives of civilians and police officers,” said Director Elie Honig of the Division of Criminal Justice. “We have removed this menace from our communities.”

“Terry Saunders’ crime spree of stealing cars turned into mayhem as a result of his violent attempts to elude authorities, which ended-up seriously injuring a trooper,” said Colonel Rick Fuentes, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “Our first priority is to preserve life and protect the community, and I commend this State Police detective who placed himself in peril in order to do just that.”

Saunder’s crime spree began at about 5:18 a.m. on Sept. 30, 2014, when he drove a stolen car onto the lot of Alamo Rent A Car on U.S. 1 & 9 in Newark. An unarmed guard, believing he was an employee, allowed Saunders to drive to the rear of the facility, where he stole a Chevrolet Tahoe. Saunders pulled the SUV up to the front exit and honked his horn, but the guard, who had become suspicious, approached the vehicle. At that point, Saunders rammed the gate. He then put the vehicle into reverse and crashed into two cars behind him. Another guard, who was armed and had seen the collisions, ran in front of the SUV, yelling for Saunders to stop. Saunders drove directly toward the armed guard, who fired his .40-caliber handgun once, striking Saunders in the shoulder. Saunders then crashed the SUV into the exit gate again, disabling the vehicle. Saunders fled on foot. The armed guard chased Saunders and struggled with him in an attempt to take him into custody, but Saunders escaped.

Following the failed robbery attempt at Alamo, an alert was broadcast to police with a description of Saunders, who was described as “armed.” In fact, there is no evidence that Saunders was armed at the time. Shortly afterward, a New Jersey State Police detective who was on patrol in Newark saw Saunders and noted that he fit the description in the bulletin. Saunders was engaged in a carjacking involving a Monte Carlo that had stopped at a traffic light on Frelinghuysen Avenue. Saunders opened the passenger door and told the driver to get in the back seat. Fearing Saunders was armed, the driver complied.

The detective, who saw Saunders get into the passenger side of the car and push the driver toward the back seat, parked his unmarked Jeep behind and perpendicular to the Monte Carlo. The detective exited his vehicle, stealthily approached the driver’s door of the Monte Carlo, and opened the door to kneel on the driver’s seat facing Saunders. The detective wrestled with Saunders to keep him from getting into the driver’s seat. The detective drew his weapon and repeatedly told Saunders to show his hands. Saunders, however, continued to struggle and ultimately put the car in reverse, accelerating backward.

The detective, who could not maintain his balance and feared he would be tossed from the vehicle, fired three or four rounds from his 9mm handgun at Saunders, none of which appear to have hit him. As the car reversed, the detective was ejected from the open driver’s side and was struck by the driver’s door. He was dragged several feet until the car crashed into the unmarked police car. The detective landed on the road with his head inches from both a rear wheel of the Monte Carlo and a front wheel of the Jeep. The car pulled forward several feet, at which point the detective – fearing the car would reverse over him and seeking to stop the carjacking and kidnapping – fired seven or eight more rounds from his weapon. One of the rounds struck Saunders in the back.

Saunders fled in the car, with the man he carjacked still in the back seat. After driving about 10 minutes, he got out of the car and fled on foot. The carjacking victim was unharmed. Later that night, Saunders was admitted to Harlem Hospital Center in New York City for treatment of his gunshot wounds. While at the hospital, he was identified and arrested in connection with the crimes in New Jersey. He was extradited to New Jersey, where he has been held in the Essex County Jail with bail set at $750,000.

Among other injuries, the detective suffered broken bones in his spine, a broken shoulder and broken ribs, as well as wounds to his head and other areas that required numerous staples and sutures to close.

Deputy Attorney General Vincent J. Militello presented the case to the state grand jury for the Attorney General’s Shooting Response Team and took the guilty plea. With respect to the police-involved shooting, after analyzing all of the facts and circumstances of this incident, it was concluded by Director Elie Honig of the Division of Criminal Justice that the detective used an acceptable level of force under the Attorney General’s Use-of-Force Policy in firing his handgun at Saunders. An officer may use deadly force in New Jersey when the officer reasonably believes it is immediately necessary to protect the officer or another person from imminent danger of death or serious bodily harm. An officer also may use deadly force in appropriate circumstances to make an arrest for the crimes of kidnapping and robbery. All portions of the Attorney General’s Directive on Police-Use-of-Force Investigations which were in effect during the course of the investigation were complied with.

Man Held on Immigration Detainer After Trying to Lure Young Girls Walking Home From School

LONG BRANCH-On January 25th, at approximately 3pm, the Long Branch Police received a call of a possible kidnapping near Prospect Street and Bath Ave. While officers were enroute to this call, another call came in from the same area concerning the robbery of a cell phone. SGT Robert Bell immediately responded to the area and was able to detain a subject who fit the description of the accused in both incidents. Officers Gary Vecchione, Daniel Richards and Hector Umana arrived shortly thereafter, and were able to ascertain that 3 separate incidents had occurred, all involving girls aged 12-14 that had either just exited the school bus or were walking home from school.

The accused, later identified as Daniel Omar Mejia-Reyes, approached the girls separately, but all within a few minutes of each other. In the first two incidents, he forcibly robbed the victims of their cell phones. In the last case he picked up the young victim and attempted to remove her from the area. In the first two cases, the bus driver and bus aide saw the robberies and came to the victim’s aid, and ushered the victims back onto the bus. In the last case, the victim was walking home from school, and she attempted to fight off her attacker, and was helped by another classmate.

Detectives arrived at the scene at the same time. Detective Jake Pascucci became the lead investigator and he was assisted by Detective SGT Brendan Cahill, Romano, O’Brien, Spitale and Kennedy. They were able to arrest Daniel Omar Mejia-Reyes, 27 years old, 383 Bath Avenue, and he was charged with 2 counts of Robbery, Criminal Restraint, Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact and Sexual Assault. He was remanded to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution with no bail and additionally held on an Immigration detainer.

The quick response time and actions by both the Patrol Division and the Detective Bureau, working together, brought this incident to a quick conclusion, ending in the arrest of the accused. Everyone involved, including the bus aide driver and student, should be commended. If anyone has any further information please contact DET Jake Pascucci at 732-222-1000.

Brick Hires 5 Special Police Officers

Brick Township welcomed five new police officers to the department. Jacob Camaraza, Kyle Beaver, Christon Clarke, Jacob Wetmore and Johnathan Ling, all of whom were sworn in as Special Police Officers last Friday.

Man Released Twice in Week Under NJ Bail Reform Suspect in Another Burglary

NEW BRUNSWICK — Police are looking for a Plainfield man they say broke into a Union County home days after being picked up for another burglary in Middlesex County. The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office filed a motion Thursday asking the court to rescind the previous pre-bail ruling for Dawud Ward from Jan. 17 when the judge…

Handgun, $50k in Heroin Not Enough to Keep Gang Member in Jail under New Jersey Bail Reform

Bail reform has failed another New Jersey community this week as the South Plainfield Police Department watched a gang member they arrested hours before walk out of court without bail.

Omar R. Perkins, 23, was released from Middlesex County Jail on 1/27/2017 pursuant to the new Bail Reform Law.

Perkins, a G-Shine Bloods Gang Member, was arrested on 1/20/2017 after a court ordered search warrant was executed at his residence which resulted in the seizure of over $50,000.00 worth of heroin and a Hi-Point 9mm handgun.

Perkins was charged with Certain Persons Not to Possess Weapons, Possession of CDS with Intent to Distribute, Possession of CDS, Possession of a Weapon during a Drug Distribution Scheme, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Perkins was arraigned today in accordance to new bail reform regulations. Despite the efforts of The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office to keep Perkins detained in the County Jail, a Superior Court Judge ordered that Perkins be released over the Objection of the Prosecutor.

Burglar Set Free Twice in One Week Under New Jersey Bail Reform Law

SOUTH PLAINFIELD-The fast revolving door of New Jersey’s new criminal justice system was well oiled last week in South Plainfield where a man was set free twice over a three day span after committing burglaries.

The following report was published by the South Plainfield Police Department:

On Friday, January 13th 2017 at about 12:30pm, South Plainfield Police responded to a residence on May Ave. for a reported burglary in progress.

Upon arrival, Officers located a male on the property of the residence. Investigation revealed the male, Dawud Ward, 23 of 1135 Hillside Ave in Plainfield, unlawfully entered the unoccupied home. Ward was in possession of burglar tools, gloves and a garbage bag. Ward drove to the location in a family member’s vehicle, which was towed from the scene by police.

Ward was placed under arrest and charged with Criminal Attempt, Burglary, Possession of Burglar Tools, 4 Counts of Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Ward was brought to the Middlesex County Correctional Center after his arrest.

In compliance with the newly implemented Bail Reform Act which took effect January 1st, 2017, Ward was arraigned in Middlesex County Superior Court on January 17th. During the arraignment, The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office filed a motion to keep Ward detained in the County Jail. The Superior Court Judge denied the motion and released Ward at the objection of the County Prosecutor.

After being released by Middlesex County Superior Court, Ward was arrested by the Cranford Police on January 20th after he was caught in the act committing yet another residential burglary. Ward was transported to the Union County Jail after that arrest.

On Saturday, January 21st, Ward was again released from Union County Jail after his arraignment in Union County Superior Court pursuant to the new Bail Reform Act.

Police: Man Arrested with 37 Bricks of Heroin; Released without Bail

TOMS RIVER-Police said on January 6th, they arrested Taree Howell who had on his possession, 37 bricks of heroin.   Taree was charged with possession, manufacturing and intent to distribute heroin.

37 brick of heroin is equivalent to 1,850 doses of the drug with a street value of roughly $15,000.

Taree, according to law enforcement officials was immediately released by the courts based on his low score generated by computer models used to guide judges under the new state bail reform system.

 

New Jersey Bail Reform Is Not What New Jersey Voted for in 2014

In November of 2014, New Jersey voters overwhelmingly supported an election ballot referendum that allowed the state to amend the constitution to allow for a more comprehensive pretrial system for criminal justice cases.

What those New Jersey voters received in January was nothing more than a bait and switch, because the current state of bail reform in the Garden State does not remotely resemble the 2014 referendum question.

The ballot question heading read, “Constitutional amendment to allow a court to order pretrial detention of a person in a criminal case.”

The question posed to voters read as follows:

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 trial, even without a chance for the person to post bail, in some situations. The amendment also removes language in the Constitution about bail eligibility for death penalty cases. The death penalty no longer exists in New Jersey.

Just in case voters were not sure about what this meant, it came with an interpretive statement which read:

The Constitution currently requires a court to grant bail to a jailed person in a criminal case before trial. If the person posts bail, the person is released from jail pending trial. The amendment would give a court the option of ordering a person to remain in jail in some situations. The court could order such detention based upon concerns that the person, if released: will not return to court; is a threat to the safety of another person or the community; or will obstruct or attempt to obstruct the criminal justice process. The amendment authorizes the Legislature to pass laws concerning pretrial release and pretrial detention. The amendment would take effect on January 1, 2017 to allow any new laws to be enacted and their requirements to be established. The amendment would also remove language in the Constitution about bail eligibility for death penalty cases. The death penalty no longer exists in New Jersey. Lt. Governor Kimberly M. Guadagno, Secretary of State.

Instead, New Jersey got a system that puts violent criminal offenders, sex offenders and drug dealers back on the streets hours after their arrest…without bail.

The failure of the new bail reform system was highlighted this week in Ocean County when Judge Wendel E. Daniels released a man who was caught not once, but twice sexually assaulting children.  At least once as a minor and last week as an adult.  According to the local police chief in the perp’s town, Richard Buzby, the man poses a serious threat to children.  Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph Coronato agreed.

Judge Daniels let the man return home with a gps monitoring device, even though he had lured his victims from the comfort of his home on the internet and at school bus stops, according to sources close to the matter who wished to remain anonymous.

Despite Coronato’s office appealing the matter all the way up to the New Jersey Supreme Court, Daniels released him back into the community.

Why? Because he only scored 1.2 on a new computer generated inmate grading system.  According to that score, the man poses no flight risk to the court system.

Law enforcement officials in Ocean County and the man’s hometown of Little Egg Harbor were left frightened and handcuffed…unable to even alert the neighborhood residents of the man’s release or charges because of further red tape in the Megan’s Law processing procedures.  Unable to to do anything but hope he doesn’t wander out of his house and assault a third child, Buzby made an unconventional plea to residents on Facebook to watch their children.

As if things couldn’t appear worse than they already are with the Ocean County case, they are.

This week, neighbors and friends of a man who viciously assaulted his girlfriend, smashing her head through a television set,  said he was released hours later, again with no bail, through the new and improved revolving door of the New Jersey criminal justice system, courtesy of the state’s legislators, court system and signed by Governor Chris Christie.

Also this week, a drug dealer in Ocean County was caught with an extremely large amount of heroin, also released back into the community with no bail.

As if things couldn’t appear worse than that, they are.

Police now are worried that criminals may already be working the system that now gives them a clear cut advantage over law enforcement.  Gone is the leverage initial investigating officers had over suspected drug dealers.    We’ve all seen it in the movies, cops playing good cop, working together to get a perp to divulge more details of the crime and of his greater operation or organization…with deals of lighter charges…talking to the judge on their behalf… if they cooperated and negotiated… perhaps give up more names in a criminal enterprises.

Gone.  Why would somebody who knows they will rate low on the new computerized criminal scorecard worry what Joe Cop is threatening in the interrogation briefing when he knows he’s a 1, maybe a 2 on the computer and will be home in time for Monday Night Football that evening?

As if things couldn’t get worse than that, they are.

Criminals aren’t as dumb as many think they are.  In fact, many are crafty and smart.  Police know that.  That’s why their job at is always a tough one.  Some police officers we spoke to now fear that the word is out on this new computerized rating system and suspect criminals will start using low-scoring mules to do their dirty work.

Why should a drug manufacturer risk his own freedom delivering a package from one distribution point to another distribution point?  If he’s high on the computer ratings system, he could be looking at an expensive bail posting to get out jail, which they always seem to have laying around.   Now, he can delegate those tasks to underlings or perhaps even recruit new help off the streets with lower computer scores.  It happens already with drug cartels smuggling drugs into America, exploiting women and children.

No police officers we spoke to this week would go on record and talk about how bail reform has handcuffed their ability to protect their communities.   Several expressed concerns over political backlash, since, “This one comes from the top.”

They all however agreed on two things. First, New Jersey’s bail reform system has broken down, just three weeks into the year in which it started and nobody is benefiting from it except the criminals and the court system.  Second, the system that was implemented on January 1st, bears little resemblance to the 2014 ballot referendum New Jersey voters approved.

In the Little Egg Harbor case, bail reform was just one problem.  The other problem was Megan’s Law.  The defendant is currently disputing the Megan’s Law tier he was assigned, a process that could take as long as six to eight months.  During that time, he is not registered as a sex offender, so by law, cannot be treated as one.

Another problem is that the state’s new ratings system does not factor a criminal’s juvenile record into the final score.  The courts can be advised of the record by the prosecutor’s office, but the computer rating system is blind to it.

The other problem is that the algorithm is geared towards flight risk and penalizes petty criminals more severely than first time violent offenders.

Drug addicts are harshly penalized by the computer grading system.   A drug addict who might have been picked up once or twice on CDS possession charges, maybe one or two shoplifting charges to support his habit and might have missed a few court cases because he was hungover in the morning or just too high to remember his court date will rate as a high flight risk.  He might a get a score of 4 or 5 out of 6, while an enraged boyfriend who never committed a crime smashes his girlfriend’s head through a television rates a 1 or 2, because the computer algorithm doesn’t see him as a flight risk.

If New Jersey doesn’t fix the mess it’s in, just one month into bail reform, jails will be clear of violent offenders and full of small time drug addicts, contrary to what the original intent of the referendum was.

New Jersey’s bail reform is a system that was developed by politically appointed administrators and politicians, managed on the front lines by the politically appointed judges who don’t have to answer to anyone.   New Jersey’s law enforcement community did not take part in or have a say in the constructing of the new laws and regulations they now have to deal with on a daily basis.

This afternoon, we were contacted by Peter McAleer, a communications officer for the New Jersey Administrative Office of Courts.   McAleer took offense to our earlier story on Thursday criticizing bail reform.   We advised McAleer that we would be open to talk to the state about this topic and provide the state with a platform for their agenda, but only from the top, through Governor Christie himself.

What can you do about New Jersey bail reform putting violent offenders, sex offenders and criminal back on our streets?  Call your local state assemblyman or senator and let them know how you feel.

You can get a full list here.

Former Jackson Memorial Football Coach Jailed for Stealing Student Funds in Mount Holly

MOUNT HOLLY TWP. — A former teacher and football coach was sentenced to 90 days in jail Wednesday for stealing Willingboro student funds to feed his alleged gambling addiction. Reginald “Reggie” Lawrence, 47, of Mount Laurel, was also sentenced in Burlington County Superior Court to two years probation. Court Administrator Donna Mazzanti said Judge Christopher Garrenger…

90 Year Old Driver Crashes Into Tree, Three Houses Pulling Out of Her Driveway

by Capt. Todd Malland, MPD

MANCHESTER– A 90-year-old Manchester woman was injured after she lost control of the vehicle while exiting her driveway and struck three houses and a tree in the Leisure Village West section of the Township Thursday morning. Maria T. Pannizzo of Buckingham Drive, lost control of her 2002, Toyota Camry while pulling from her driveway and left the roadway on three separate occasions, striking three nearby houses before coming to a stop after impacting a tree and rolling over. She was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River for treatment of injuries sustained during the crash.

90 year old driver crashes into tree, three houses pulling out of her drivewayOn January 26th, at approximately 8:30 am, officers from the Manchester Township Police Department responded to the area of Yorkshire Court and Buckingham Drive in the Leisure Village West section of the Township for the report of a single vehicle crash in which a car struck several houses and a tree. Upon arrival, officers located the involved vehicle, a 2002 Toyota Camry with heavy damage on the side of Buckingham Drive. The initial investigation revealed that Pannizzo was backing from her driveway and was attempting to turn left onto Buckingham Drive when she over-accelerated and left the roadway and impacted the side of 60A Buckingham Drive.  After striking the side of the Buckingham Drive residence, Pannizzo put her vehicle in reverse and accelerated backwards onto Buckingham Drive.  While in reverse, her vehicle left the roadway a second time and impacted the sun rooms of 1C and 1D Yorktown Court.  After striking the above residences, Pannizzo put her vehicle back into drive and accelerated forward once again crossing over Buckingham Drive. In doing so, she left the roadway a third time and travelled in a north direction on the grass parallel to the Buckingham Drive for several hundred feet before impacting a tree. The force of the impact caused Pannizzo’s vehicle to roll over 360 degrees before finally landing back on all four wheels.

Ms. Pannizzo, was traveling alone at the time of the crash and it appears as though she was not wearing her seatbelt. She was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River by EMT’s from Quality Medical Transport for complaint of pain as well as a possible broken arm and hand.

Assisting at the scene were Inspectors from the Manchester Township Building Department, workers from Leisure Village Maintenance, utility crews from Jersey Central Power and Light.

The crash is under investigation by Cpl. Douglas Higgins of the Manchester Township Police Traffic Safety Unit with the assistance of Officers George Smith and Stephen Hankins of the Patrol Bureau.

How One High School Teacher Lost Her Mind During Trump Inauguration

The once peaceful liberal left is coming unhinged in just the first few days of Donald Trump’s presidency.

In Dallas, Texas, at W.H. Adamson High School, Payal R. Modi watched the inauguration on a classroom whiteboard and took her fake gun out and pretended to shoot the President, yelling, “Die!”.

From the video, others were in the room, but it could not be confirmed whether those others were students or faculty.

She Tweeted about her outburst.
“Watching the #inaguration in my classroom like…#no #stop #denial #squirtgun”

#VisitFromTheSecretService

According to The Gateway Pundit, the Secret Service office in Irving, Texas is already aware of the video.

The Dallas Independent School District has yet to issue a statement on the teacher’s behavior.

Like most who get the spotlight put on them in the past week, Ms. Modi closed all of her social media accounts and made them private.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2piY_Y83YPw

Modi had visited the White House in October of 2016.

How one high school teacher lost her mind during trump inauguration

 

 

 

 

 

How one high school teacher lost her mind during trump inauguration

How New Jersey Bail Reform Act Put Some Ocean County Children at Possible Risk

TRENTON-Law enforcement agencies in Ocean County are shocked and upset this week after New Jersey’s bail reform law has put a man who police say offered a video game console to a child in Little Egg Harbor in return for sexual favors, back on the street.

Despite best efforts by the local police chief, Richard Buzby and Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph Coronato, the man was released back into the community without bail after being arrested.

Officials close to the investigation say the case against the accused sexual offender is a solid one, but thanks to a bail reform law enacted by the state’s voters in 2014 and red tape restrictions in Megan’s law, it’s the law enforcement community that is now handcuffed.

In 2014, New Jersey voters voted in favor of a referendum that made the The Bail Reform and Speedy Trial Act a law in the state.

Police said they cannot alert families in the neighborhood where the suspect lives, even though the offender, according to Police Chief Richard Buzby has a past history of targeting children, according to the law.

“For some time a sex offender who has targeted children in the past, has lived in this community in close proximity to many family residences, school bus stops and other points of interest to children,” Buzby said. “Despite the best efforts of the county prosecutor’s office and this Agency to the contrary, the current state of Megan’s Law is such that this particular community cannot be notified until the sex offender rating process is completed and a tier is established that will allow such a notification.”

The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, according to sources, pleaded with the Judge Wendel E. Daniels of the New Jersey Superior Court to delay the man’s release, but Daniels, a politically appointed judge who now is tenured, released the offender back into the community, leaving the local law enforcement establishment speechless and without recourse to serve and protect those that could be potential victims of the man.

A law enforcement official who wished to remain anonymous today told Shore News Network that the bail reform law is keeping a repeat petty criminals and drug addicts in jail with bail until trial, but allowing some violent offenders out of the system and out on the streets without bail.

He said the bail reform law uses a computer model and rating system for offenders and decisions to hold perpetrators on bail or to release them are weighed by judges, now also guided by those rating computer model ratings.

If a small-time drug user with a history of possession charges and misdemeanors enters the system, they are graded much higher than a violent or sexual offender who may be in the system for the first time, such as the case in Little Egg Harbor, according to another law enforcement official, who again, because of the political controversy surrounding New Jersey’s bail reform law, wishes to remain anonymous.

It’s not just Ocean County where bail reform is failing the citizens of New Jersey.

A Facebook page, NJ Bail Reform – Why New Jersey is LESS safe at Taxpayer’s Expense is gaining momentum and cataloging the statewide breakdown in bail reform.

In Teaneck, an ex-con from North Carolina was immediately released after being found in a pot smoke filled car carrying a loaded gun.

A man and woman arrested in a string of burglaries with criminal backgrounds were released.  The woman reoffended within a week and was back in jail on burglary charges.

In Clifton, a man caught carrying a knife punched a police officer and was promptly put back on the streets, thanks to New Jersey Bail Reform.

A man stopped on the George Washington Bridge with a half-million dollars in cash was also released after being stopped for a moving violation.

A doctor who fired a rifle into a parked vehicle, let out of jail, so long as he promised not to drink anymore alcohol.

The reports went on and on.

The NJ Bail Reform Facebook page has been documenting and cataloging the failures of the bail reform law since it went into action this year.  Dozens of examples of failures in the system in just a few weeks were already posted.

We have reached out to Governor Christie’s office to ask the governor about this case since he was a proponent of the bail reform law, but have yet to receive an answer.  We will update this story if the request is returned.

We have also contacted the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office to discuss New Jersey bail reform and we hope to have a follow up feature on this story within the next day or so.

 

 

Joint Base Munitions Training Taking Place Today

The 87th CEG Explosive Ordnance Disposal team will be conducting routine training, today, from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM on the ranges located here Joint Base MDL.

Due to the size of training munitions and anticipated weather conditions– the noise may travel farther than normal.

We appreciate the support of our local communities and installation residents for this important training!

Sierra Club: Joint Base Chemicals Linked to ADHD in Children

The following is a press release submitted by Jeff Tittel, NJ Sierra Club

TRENTON-In August, the US Department of Defense (DOD) hired a company to begin testing the groundwater at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. They tested 21 sites on the base to determine the extent of perfluorinated compound contamination from perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). The contamination may have come from firefighting foam for military use. Now that contamination has been found off-base, in a surrounding community.

“Now we know that the PFO and PFOA contamination is more pervasive and being found in communities off-base. This is a very serious and systemic problem that needs to be dealt with. These PFOs come from substances such as firefighting foam and can seep into groundwater, both on the base and off it. They made the mess and now they have to clean it up and protect the communities around the Base,” said Jeff Tittel, New Jersey Sierra Club Director. “Putting the SRL Pipeline through this area will only make things worse.”

PFOA is a carcinogen that has been linked to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in children. A report published by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences shows a relationship between slightly elevated levels of PFOA in the blood and a higher rate of ADHD diagnosis. The incidence of ADHD in children is rising and so is the amount of PFOA in the water supply. PFOA is found in many wells in New Jersey, especially in South Jersey near the DuPont site, but also in other parts of the state such as Sayerville. The current standard for PFOA in drinking water is 150 times what is recommended.

“The DOD needs to clean up this mess and the NJDEP needs to recognize the problem of PFOAs and set standards to prevent these things from happenings. These chemicals are harmful, especially to children. We have seen PFOAs show up too often in our waterways yet the DEP has not set any standards to fix this problem. New Jersey needs to move to adopt stricter regulations for PFOA in our drinking water,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.

Child Sex Offender Back on the Streets Shortly After Arrest Thanks to Bail Reform Law

Child sex offender back on the streets shortly after arrest thanks to bail reform law

LITTLE EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP-Chief Richard Buzby issued the following statement regarding a suspected child sex offender who has been released back into the community thanks to New Jersey’s new bail reform law.

On Friday,  announced the arrest of Christopher Wilson, 20, of Little Egg Harbor Township, NJ, for 2nd degree Attempted Sexual Assault and 3rd degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child.    Police said Wilson offered a child a video game console in exchange for sex.  Wilson was arrested, but according to Ocean County law enforcement officials, despite agencies pleading their case to keep him incarcerated, Judge Wendel E. Daniels ordered his release.

“We attempted to appeal the decision and asked for a stay until the appeal process,” said Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office spokesperson Al DellaFave. “It was denied and he was released by the judge, our hands are tied.”

Read Wilson’s Friday Arrest Report Here.

Chief Buzby wrote:

For some time a sex offender who has targeted children in the past, has lived in this community in close proximity to many family residences, school bus stops and other points of interest to children.

Despite the best efforts of the county prosecutor’s office and this agency to the contrary, the current state of Megan’s Law is such that this particular community cannot be notified until the sex offender rating process is completed and a tier is established that will allow such a notification. A determination that would have allowed such notification was reached by the prosecutor’s office but that matter is under appeal and, once again, the notification must be delayed.


There is, at present, an allegation that this subject has re-offended with a local child. An arrest has been made and all appropriate charges have been filed but the new bail reform protocol has determined that he does not present a threat and he was released by a superior court judge this afternoon.

Because of our perceived threat to other children and our continued inability to notify parents this matter has been taken under immediate appeal by the prosecutor. Once again, despite the prosecutor’s best efforts, trial court and appellate court stays have been denied and this person will apparently remain in our community until the matter progresses further.


As your chief and a fellow parent, I could not sleep tonight if I did not say something to families about being particularly careful regarding their children’s whereabouts and welfare at this time. I beg you to do so, particularly now. Rest assured, we are working with the county prosecutor’s office non-stop to rectify this matter as fast as we humanly can.

News 12's Amazing Photo of the Surf Club Unearthed by the Nor'easter

News 12’s Karla Bardinas took this shot on Tuesday at the site of the former Joey Harrison’s Surf Club in Ortley Beach.  The passing nor’easter exposed the few feet of sand on top of the rubble of the club, destroyed during Superstorm Sandy and covered by with sand.

Cover photo: Joey Harrison’s Surf Club as it appeared in November of 2012, after being destroyed by Superstorm Sandy.

Local Officials Silent on Joint Base Water Testing

JACKSON-As Joint Base MDL officials go door to door in Jackson Township trying collecting water samples from residents to see if their private wells have been contaminated by fire retarding chemicals used on the base for over 30 years, officials in Jackson Township are silent on the matter.

The Township council did not provide any further details on the water testing and the issue was not brought up by any residents.

Related stories:

Clean drinking water to be made available for residents with contaminated…

Military to go Door to Door to Ask Residents for Well Water Samples

Did Joint Base Fire Operations Contaminate Jackson Drinking Water? Base Officials…

Township Billboard Enterprise Back on the Table in Jackson

JACKSON-In 2009, Jackson Township’s elected officials expressed a desire to build billboards along Interstate 195 to generate revenue for the municipality, but that initiative never really left the ground.

At the January 24th council meeting, Council President Ken Bressi attempted to resurrect the 8 year old plan and asked township attorney Jean Cipriani to again look into the legal ramifications of a township run monopoly on advertising billboards.

Councilman Ken Bressi was lukewarm to the idea.

“I went through a list of stuff that we have concerns for and that if we’re even going to look at this, we have to get all that data,” Council President Ken Bressi said.  “I’d like to see how my peers feel about it…and make some decisions on it.”

“Where do you want them permitted? Only on public land, on certain roads, on certain sections of roads, absolutely we can do it,” Cipriani told the council.  “But in terms of the size, if you’re going to keep that size, you have to think about where it makes sense to have them and the proximity you would allow them to be in.”

Under the original plan, only the township would be allowed to install and build billboards and only on township property.  Bressi wanted to know how to keep private landowners between township owned lots from building their own billboards.

“What if the township as lot A and H, what if somebody has one in the middle, can we stop them from doing it?” Bressi asked.  “That’s why I went through all these questions with counsel and what kind of revenue they can bring in.”

The township seeks to enact spot zoning that would allow billboards only on lots owned by the township, which would require a change to those lots in the existing master plan.

The township owns 3 or 4 lots along the I-195 corridor according to Township Clerk Eden.

“I know the original concept was on township properties, I’d like to follow through with that,” Councilman Nixon said.  “We might want to ensure that what we’re doing and the advice to what is spot zoning and what isn’t.”

The then Democrat majority council didn’t support the billboard plan in 2009.

Former councilman Howard Tillis said at the time, he drove from Belmar to Jackson along I-195 through Jackson’s exit 21 and he didn’t see any billboards.

“I see it as roadside graffiti,” Tillis told the council in 2009.

The council felt the township should be the only ones in the billboard market because, “Nobody wants to drive down 195 and see wall-to-wall billboards.”

“This issue is certainly a positive to the township from a revenue perspective and as an economic development driver as we look to the expansion off the 195 corridor and what could ultimately occur in the six flags area as they continue their success, hopefully in the future…I think there’s some value in us proceeding in the near future on it.”

Billboards have come up several times over the years as a way for Jackson Township to generate additional revenue.

Residents over the years have also had mixed opinions on the billboard experiment. According to OutdoorBillboard.com, the going rates for monthly advertising per billboard on I-195 can bring in anywhere from $1,500 to $2,500 per month, not including cost to purchase and install the billboards or maintenance or other costs the township would need to invest in, including marketing material, graphic design, engineering, customer management services and other expenses involved in operating a billboard business.

The township has yet to release any financial plan or analysis on such an enterprise.

The topic is expected to be addressed again at the next meeting on Valentine’s Day, Tuesday, February 14th.

Photo: Google Maps billboard in nearby Millstone Twp.

Berkeley Relay for Life Kick Off Meeting Feb. 23

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Berkeley/Lacey will hold a free kickoff for the annual event on Thursday, Feb. 23, at 7 p.m. at Mill Pond Elementary School, 210 Western Blvd., Lanoka Harbor. The snow date is March 2.
Everyone is invited to the kickoff to learn about how to help the American Cancer Society save more lives from cancer. The program will highlight how the community has benefited from funds raised and will honor cancer survivors and caregivers. Guests will have the opportunity to register a team for the Relay For Life, which will be held May 20-21 at Veterans Park in Bayville. The Relay For Life movement unites communities across the globe to celebrate people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and take action to finish the fight once and for all. Relay For Life events are community gatherings where teams and individuals camp out at a school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Teams participate in fundraising in the months leading up to the event.
The Relay For Life movement is the world’s largest fundraising event to fight every cancer in every community, with four million participants in 5,200 events worldwide. “This is our community’s opportunity to help save lives from cancer by taking our message to more people and raising more dollars to fund the fight,” said Nancy Costello, Volunteer Event Co-Lead. “Together, our efforts can make a big difference.”

Visit ​www.RelayForLife.org/BerkeleyNJ​ to learn more about the event or contact Nancy Costello or Maryellen Holmes at 732-206-3535 or ​rflberkeleylacey@gmail.com​.

After Mistreatment by Media, White House Responds to Criticism of First Family's Children

WASHINGTON, DC-While the Trump family has provided America with a stunning and personal insight into the daily life of the first family like no first family before them, some in the media have used the opportunity to criticize them, some even mock them and their children.

Today, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer reminded the global news media that historically, children and grandchildren of Presidents have been allowed to grow up free of the intense and often scrutinous media spotlight that is always on the first family

“It is a longstanding tradition that the children of Presidents are afforded the opportunity to grow up outside of the political spotlight. The White House fully expects this tradition to continue. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter.”

In less than his first week in office, President Donald Trump and his family have given America a behind the scenes tour of not only the first family, but the White House, Washington, DC and the American political process unrivaled by an of his predecessors.

It has been an insight appreciated by most Americans.

Some intimate White House moments were shared with the public, normally never shared outside the walls of the White House.  How cool is it to go have pancakes at Grandpa’s house…The White House?

The Trump family has also let America in on the more mundane aspects of life in the White House, such as having to watch grandpa do stuff that is pretty darn exciting, but, really, grandpa? Enough with the pen and the cameras already.  This great moment of young Tristan Trump is a photo that will be remembered for a very long time.   Little did he know at the time, he upstaged the President of the United States in this photo.

And how cool is it to see inside the infamous White House bowling alley?

https://www.facebook.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/videos/1454824811208942/

But for all the good, there has been too much bad.  Some Trump opponents have shown no mercy when it comes to the children of the first family.  They say one person can spoil a good thing for the rest of us, but we are confident the Trump family will be stronger than the hate that boils over from America’s left and at least one news organization absolutely supports the Trump family’s position on the media and the first family’s children.

The media should respect the first family’s children as they have done for all presidents prior to Trump.

 

Toms River Dune Update: Replenishment to begin Thursday

ORTLEY BEACH-After losing nearly 75% of the community’s dune and sand berm protection in this week’s passing nor’easter, the township announced replenishment efforts will begin on Thursday.

“Our Engineering Department says Cardinal Construction will be importing sand starting this Thursday to shore up the dunes in Ortley Beach and Normandy Beach,” the department said in a release.

 

Toms River's POW/MIA Chair of Honor Dedicated

by Toms River Township

TOMS RIVER-A “POW/MIA Chair of Honor” was dedicated today in a ceremony at Toms River Town Hall.

Mayor Thomas Kelaher, Bob Smyth from Congressman Tom MacArthur’s office, members of the Toms River Veterans Commission, American Legion Post 129 and Rolling Thunder NJ Chapter 2 were among those in attendance.

POW/MIA Chair of Honor Program is intended to support POW/MIAChairofHonor.org’s main mission by bringing daily reminders of the POW/MIA issue to towns across the nation. A POW/MIA chair in any location is to remain perpetually empty to help people remember that even though our soldiers are not here, there is still a space for them.

Mayor Thomas F. Kelaher stated, “This empty seat will serve as a constant reminder of all the sacrifices made for our country by soldiers who were held prisoner of war or were listed as Missing in Action and whose remains have not been recovered.”

Since World War I, more than 91,000 service members are unaccounted for. The chair and related items were donated by the Rolling Thunder NJ Chapter 2 and are now on display in the main lobby of Town Hall.

Toms river's pow/mia chair of honor dedicated

MATES wins Ocean County Mock Trial Competition

Once again, Ocean County Vocational Technical School’s MATES program wins the annual Ocean County Mock Trial Championship.  The school also won in 2013 and finished 2nd in 2015.

The finals were held on Wednesday, January 18th at the Ocean County Courthouse.

https://twitter.com/MayorDucey/status/823194352751144960

BTHS Ballers 4th Annual Free Throws for a Cure

Students at Brick Township High School raised money to help a student in need with a heart ailment.  Sophomore Jacob Basilotto, 16, was born with a congenital heart defect, HLHS.  He is currently on a waiting list for a heart transplant.

Mayor John Ducey thanked the school basketball program for their efforts.

If you would like to contribute, please email mgawronski@brickschools.org.

https://twitter.com/MayorDucey/status/822543739805634560