Dear Community Friends,
Happy Valentine’s Day this coming Wednesday, Feb. 14. I’m providing the actual date to keep some of you, including myself, out of hot water. Whether it’s a card, flowers, chocolate, or even a heart shaped pizza from your favorite local restaurant, do something special for your significant other on this special day.
During the month of January, the MTPD handled 2,830 calls for service. Our police officers made 78 arrests, issued 219 motor vehicle summonses, handled 248 investigation reports, and investigated 36 motor vehicle crashes.
The MTPD has a safe deal zone for purchases or sales made on the Marketplace or Craigslist, etc. The meeting area is clearly marked and well lit and is located in the side parking lot that is adjacent to the police department. It is unsafe to meet strangers in the parking lot of department stores or at buyers or sellers homes, please utilize the police station for these transactions. Our officers will even standby during a transfer if you feel uncomfortable. Just phone dispatch at 856-468-1920 to coordinate scheduling with the police.
MTPD’s Lt. Brian Hauss, Det. Jefferey Krieger, Ptl. Alexander Stewart and Ptl. Joseph Craig will be riding in the 2024 Police Unity Tour. The tour’s motto is “we ride for those who died” and we raise awareness about America’s fallen officers.
Last week, there was a concerning Facebook post circulating with regard to an alleged incident that was said to have occurred at the Target on Woodbury – Glassboro Road. In gist, the information posted by a private citizen was not accurate according to the MTPD, and caused some public alarm. I’d ask that residents please consider not sharing private posts and/or information of this kind without getting clarification or proper validation from our police department. Our police administration and the township administration and our township committee makes every effort to get factual based information out to the public through our social media platforms and our website, etc. If there’s a legitimate threat of any kind, please feel confident that we’ll let everyone know immediately upon validation.
Earlier this week, a concern was brought to my attention about regular “loud bang or explosion” type sounds coming from Sewell near the Pine Street area. I spoke with the MTPD leadership and this matter is currently under investigation. Our PD also posted something on their social media platforms about discharging fireworks, firearms and/or creating a public nuisance or alarm in the township – which is illegal. Behavior of this kind is not permissible and will be enforced by our police department accordingly.
Our department heads have submitted their budgetary requests for the upcoming fiscal year, and we are in the beginning stages of evaluating and preparing our overall municipal budget for the township. We anticipate our budget to be introduced at the March 11 township committee meeting, and the budget presentation and adoption being at our April 8 meeting.
At our meeting on Monday, Feb. 12, we are excited to promote Lt. William Murphy to the rank of captain of police and second in command of the MTPD. We’ll be introducing an ordinance to make it permissible to bring dogs to Chestnut Branch Park in early spring, and introducing an ordinance to re-name the roadway to Rowan University’s Jean and Ric Edelman Fossil Park to Million Mosasaur Way. We’ll also be appointing resident Shawnequa Carvalho to our board of health committee to fill a vacancy.
Upcoming Township Meetings and Events:
- Monday, Feb. 12 at 6:00 p.m. is the next Township Committee Meeting at the Mantua Administration Building.
- The last day to avoid a first quarter property tax late fee is Tuesday, Feb. 13.
- Thursday, Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. is the next Fire District Meeting at the Sewell Fire Station.
On behalf of Deputy Mayor Pete Scirrotto and myself, and the entire Township Committee – we look forward to continuing our service with honesty, integrity and trustful leadership.
Respectfully,
Mayor Robert T. Zimmerman, MAS
