U.S. Senator Cory Booker Discusses Affordability Issues with Speaker Coughlin, Senator Vitale and Asw. Lopez
Sen. Booker Stops in Woodbridge as
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Mayor John E. McCormac & Woodbridge Police Department Announce Promotion of Veteran Officer(s)
Woodbridge – Mayor John E. McCormac today
...READ MOREWoodbridge Police Department Issues Warning on Use of Illegal Fireworks
Illegal Fireworks Will Be Confiscated & Violators Arrested and/or Issued Summonses
– Mayor John E. McCormac today announced that the Woodbridge Police Department (WPD) will step-up neighborhood patrols in an unprecedented crackdown on the use of illegal fireworks by residents and visitors. WPD marked and unmarked vehicles will be on patrol throughout the extended Fourth-of-July weekend and will respond to any location where illegal fireworks are in use. Additionally, the WPD will respond to any complaints or instances where the use of illegal fireworks jeopardizes public safety and will take appropriate action, including arrest of violators, issuance of summonses and confiscation of illegal fireworks. The name and address of any person arrested and/or charged with the sale, use or possession of illegal fireworks will be publicly released to the news media.
Recent changes to the New Jersey Explosives and Fireworks Act (N.J.S.A. 21:2-1 et seq., as amended by P.L.2017, C.92) permit persons 16 years-of-age or older to lawfully buy, possess and use certain sparkling devices and novelties sold only in registered retail locations. Permissible fireworks legally allowed to be sold in New Jersey are limited to hand-held or ground-based sparklers, snakes and glow worms, smoke devices and trick noisemakers, including party poppers, snappers and drop pops.
The sale, possession and use of all other fireworks (including firecrackers, roman candles, M80’s, cherry bombs, salutes, and ground-to-air fireworks) is a Fourth Degree crime if the person sells, offers or exposes for sale, or possesses with intent to sell, any fireworks and is punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 and/or up to 18 months in jail. Possession of destructive devices is a Third Degree crime with fines of up to $10,000 and incarceration of up to three to five years in jail. Additionally, a person is guilty of a petty disorderly person’s offense (a fine of up to $500.00 and/or a jail term of up to 30 days) if he or she purchases, uses, discharges, causes to be discharged, ignites, fires or otherwise sets in action, or possesses fireworks without having the required permit. Any business that advertises, offers to sell or sells fireworks to residents of New Jersey is required to clearly and conspicuously disclose that fireworks, other than sparkling devices and novelties, are illegal to possess or use in New Jersey without a valid permit. Failure to do so would constitute a violation of the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act and its regulations.
A report issued by the Consumer Product Safety Commission noted that 67% of all fireworks injuries were sustained during the 30-day period surrounding the Independence Day holiday and that 5,600 injuries occurr nationwide due to fireworks, most often with burns to the hands and head, including to the eyes, face, and ears and 36% of the injuries reported occurred to children under the age of 15. The majority of fireworks injury reports involve emergency room treatment, but the more severe and fatal injuries were associated with the consumer’s use of professional grade and/or homemade fireworks.
WOODBRIDGE TOWNSHIP DPW WORKER STRUCK BY LIGHTING REPORTED IN STABLE CONDITION
WOODBRIDGE, NJ – Mayor John E. McCormac today reported that an employee of the Woodbridge Department of Public Works, Parks Division, was struck by lightning at approximately 12:21 pm while working at assigned duties at the Iselin Middle School.
DPW worker Eric Baumgartner, 39, an 18-year member of the DPW, was lining the soccer field at the Iselin Middle School when a fast-moving thunder/lighting storm unexpectedly appeared with a single lightning bolt striking Baumgartner before he and co-workers were able to secure shelter.
Co-workers immediately called 9-1-1 and reported the emergency and location. WPD Officer R.J. McPartland, a three-year veteran of the WPD and a certified EMT, was the assigned on-duty officer at J.F.K. High School that is located next to the Iselin Middle School. Officer McPartland arrived on the scene within minutes and immediately initiated CPR and was able to restore a pulse to Baumgartner. Responding EMT’s and EMS transported Baumgartner to Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center where he is reported in stable condition.
Mayor McCormac, WPD Police Director Robert Hubner, DPW Director George Brew and WPD Officer R.J. McPartland addressed the media at the scene at 2:00 pm. The official statement can be viewed at:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/8yviqi1ynk9xg12/6-14-2023%20Press%20Conference.mov?dl=0
Woodbridge Celebrates May as Older Americans Month
Department of Senior Services Hosts Active Older Adults Expo
Events, Activities & Programs for Senior Residents
Woodbridge Mayor John E. McCormac will host the Annual Woodbridge Township Senior Summit and Older Adults Expo where senior residents have the opportunity to offer suggestions, comments and ideas directly to the Mayor, Administration officials, members of the Municipal Council and Senior program representatives. The event will be held on May 10, 2023 at Noon at the Woodbridge Community Center.
Woodbridge Township’s Senior Month is packed with informative, educational, recreational and entertainment activities geared to Senior residents and encourages Seniors to engage in health and fitness activities, attend informative
programs and seminars, participate in mind-stimulating activities and competitions, explore art and music classes, attend entertainment events, senior receptions and community engagements.
Senior Month is hosted by the Department of Senior Services and the Township’s Senior Centers – Evergreen Senior Center in Colonia; Sycamore Senior Center in Port Reading, Five Branches Senior Center in Iselin, Hickory
Senior Center in Fords, Maple Tree Senior Center in Avenel, and the Oak Tree Senior Center in Iselin.
The Department of Health & Human Services, Department of Recreation & Resident Services, the Woodbridge Police Department, Department of Public Works-Parks Division, Woodbridge Township Public Library and Township senior organizations and associations contribute to the many services and programs offered to Woodbridge Township Senior residents. For more information about Senior Month and other Township-sponsored events and programs go to the Woodbridge Township Web Page at: www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us
ARRIVE together
By Robert Hubner, Director, Woodbridge Police Department
Earlier this year, I wrote about the challenges that Woodbridge Police Officers face when dealing with mental health related calls for service. In that article, I explained that Woodbridge Township created a program whereby officers when dealing with an individual with a mental health issue can contact Rutgers Mental Health. The officer(s) on scene can speak with a mental health counselor who assess the situation. In some instances, the counselor will speak to the person or a counselor may be sent to the scene. Officers can only transport a person involuntarily to a hospital if they are a danger to themselves or others. A counselor can also determine if a person should be transported to a hospital, but the officer can only take that action if the counselor forwards a written commitment.
In many cases, WPD officers have been able to convince individuals that they should go to the hospital to speak with a mental health professional. In all instances, the WPD will forward the information for a follow up, much like our addiction recovery program. All follow-up information is given to the Specialized Case Management and Outreach Services (SCMOS), which is an outreach service that is geared towards successful connections to mental health and other support services. The Woodbridge Township Mental Health Coordinator is also notified to ensure a follow-up by the Township is made to help individuals find a program or services. Unfortunately, many refuse assistance.
Recently, the WPD was selected to participate with Edison, New Brunswick and Highland Park Police Department’s in a program funded by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office called ARRIVE Together. The program has mental health experts on certain days of the week riding with police officers who have been trained in the Critical Intervention Training program. The ARRIVE program will begin May 1, 2023. Mental health experts will alternate between the four towns each week and will be scheduled during the time of day that data has shown the department receiving the most calls for mental health incidents.
Woodbridge Township has seen a 44% increase in mental health related calls between 2018 and 2022. Last year, the WPD responded to 734 calls where an individual was experiencing a mental health crisis. The ARRIVE program will aid the WPD with dealing with this growing problem.
Woodbridge Police Department to Participate in “National RX Take Back” on Sat., April 22, 2023
Residents Encouraged to “Keep Them Safe”…
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Woodbridge Achieves New Jersey “Healthy Town” Gold Level Designation For Third Year in a Row
Mayor John E. McCormac and the Mayor’s
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