Jackson pba condemns anti-cop political rhetoric by hannum's column k team

JACKSON, N.J. — The Jackson Township Police Benevolent Association (PBA) Local #168 released a statement disputing claims made in a recent political advertisement by the Hannum-Trombetta-Hannum campaign, clarifying both police staffing levels and the union’s lack of endorsement of their political endeavors.

The team known as HTH4Jackson, running on Column K in this year’s council election, has claimed they have close ties and an affiliation with the PBA, misleading residents into thinking the PBA endorsed them in the election.

Today, the PBA said that the claim was false and took issue with other claims, criticizing the department.

In the message, the union stated it had not endorsed the campaign despite an advertisement suggesting a police affiliation.

The statement from PBA 168 emphasized, “We have in no way endorsed this campaign,” seeking to distance itself from any implied connection.

“As representatives of PBA Local #168, your Jackson Township police union, we would like to take a moment to clarify some intentionally misleading and inaccurate information being provided by the Hannum-Trombetta-Hannum campaign. Firstly, despite the appearance of their advertisement suggesting some Police Union affiliation, we have in no way endorsed this campaign,” the Jackson PBA said in a statement today. “Secondly, the Ad states that we received ten new police officers last year. This is false, we were afforded the opportunity to hire 10 officers thanks to the receptive leadership of Mayor Reina and his administration, to include Councilman Burnstein and Council President Kuhn, but due to mismanagement by Chief Kunz only 4 officers were actually hired.”

The union also addressed the ad’s claim that ten new officers were hired last year. While the PBA credited Mayor Michael Reina and his administration, including Councilman Mordy Burnstein and Council President Jennifer Kuhn, with the authorization to hire 10 officers. The department has only hired 4 officers under the supervision of police Chief Matthew Kunz, the PBA added.

The PBA thanked Mayor Michael Reina, Council President Jennifer Kuhn and the current council, including candidates Nino Borrelli and Mordy Burnstein for their support and dedication to law enforcement in Jackson Township.

The statement highlighted recent changes, including the appointment of Public Safety Director Antonio Candido. The union noted that Director Candido has introduced measures to improve department oversight and reduce costs. His actions included restoring the reporting of police statistics, which the PBA claimed had been discontinued under Chief Kunz’s leadership.

“With the continued support of Mayor Reina, Councilman Burnstein, and Council President Kuhn, we were able to enact significant change in the PD including the addition of Public Safety Director Joseph Candido, who has already taken action to ensure such mismanagement does not repeat itself. This is in addition to numerous positive changes Director Candido has enacted during his tenure so far, which also includes cost-saving measures for the residents of Jackson Township and reinstituting PD statistics that ceased under Chief Kunz,” the PBA said.

Additionally, the union confirmed that the Traffic Safety Unit, consisting of three officers, had recently lost a member. Former PBA President Jeff Henba was reassigned to patrol, leaving the unit without a direct supervisor. The PBA said the move was made by the police chief.

Elenor Hannum has filed a tort claim to sue the township for $500,000. According to state law, that claim filed in May 2024 legally bars Hannum from filing an official lawsuit until November 24th, pending a six month grace period that would allow Hannum to mediate a settlement between herself and the township.

Trombetta, who works for the Monmouth County Corrections Department as a civilian employee, previously sued the Port Authority Police Department over alleged sexual harassment after instructions called her an “American Girl Doll”. Trombetta won $1.5 million in that lawsuit.

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