The program involves participating local businesses each sponsoring a card and then having the sponsored trading card available at their businesses for families to stop in and collect from Mid-March through May of 2016. The business name and address is listed on the back of the sponsored card. This program is a very interactive and positive community initiative in which the youth of the township and their families get to know more about the officers and staff within their police department. Likewise, interaction occurs within the community, as families can collect the cards from each of the sponsor businesses and through personal interactions with police officers out on the streets. Once the program is officially started in mid-March, police officers will carry a compliment of their respective card to distribute to youth they meet in the neighborhoods and throughout the township. The program will ultimately culminate in a Meet-the-Officer Day in May/June at the Lacey Township Middle School as well as prize ceremonies thereafter at each of the elementary schools. At the prize ceremonies, those students who collected the full set of cards will have their names placed in separate raffles to be held at each school. The program was last facilitated in 2013 into 2014 with over 1,000 residents participating in the Meet-the-Officer event.
The Lacey Township Police Department has experienced the attrition of 17 full-time police officers in recent years with 12 new officers being hired. The cards provide the whole community with an opportunity to learn more about the changes that have been underway in the police department.
Any business interested in participating in the program may contact Sergeant Robert Flynn at 609.693.6636 x2578 or Lieutenant Patrick Ganley 609.693.6636 x2564 for more information.
The businesses already committed to sponsoring a card include the following:
- Forked River Diner
- C&C Cabinetry
- Jersey Mikes
- Wholesale Carpet Outlet
- Anthony’s Pizza & Grill
- Ryan’s Service Center
- Lacey Amoco
- Thompson Health Care & Sports Medicine
- Every Bloomin Thing
- Dunkin Donuts
- Captain’s Inn Restaurant
- Forked River German Butcher
- Fusciello’s Butcher & Deli
- McDonalds
- Joey Tomato’s Pizza
- OTA Complete Car Care Center
- Bob’s Square Deal
- Applebee’s Restaurant
- ShopRite of Lacey
- Hauswirth & Sons Insurance
- Thomas C. Morrissey, CPA
- Eastport Realty
- Lacey Used Auto Parts
- Linda’s Pizza
- J. Lorton & Company
- Lacey Self Storage
- ReMax at Barnegat Bay
- Via Napoli Pizzeria and Restaurant
- Lacey Collision, Inc.
- J.H. Roberts, Inc (Lacey Business Park)
- Wharfside Chiropractic
- Spring Oak Assisted Living
- Lacey Auto Care
- Tony’s General Merchandise
- Mouse’s Wreckreation
- Layton’s Funeral Home
- Dr. Shannon Keyes
- Vesuvio’s Pizzeria and Restaurant
- Integrity Pools
- Play Day Place (Lacey Business Park)
- Termini Nutrition Center
- Home Depot
- Wawa
- Fuji Japanese Restaurant
- Lacey Chamber of Commerce
- PBA Local #238
The cards sponsored by businesses or organizations that don’t have physical locations or regular operating hours will be made available during specified weeks at police headquarters.
