After 19 years the NJ Turnpike Authority has a sudden change of heart and ripped American Flags from the bridges. Robbinsville PBA releases statement. Protest held in Searen, NJ Woodbridge Township over removed flags
See updates to MidJersey.News story here:
American Flags Replaced On NJ Turnpike Overpasses In Robbinsville By Police Union
Governor Murphy Directs Turnpike Authority To Stop Removing American Flags, Senator O’Scanlon and Assemblywoman DiMaso Sponsor Legislation To Keep American Flags On Overpasses
UPDATE Robbinsville Township PBA is hosting a replace the flags event at 12 noon September 11, 2020 see link below. The NJ Turnpike Authority has been removing flags placed and replaced on bridges by the local PBA
https://facebook.com/events/s/replacing-american-flags/597290697826772/?ti=as
September 6, 2020
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)- WOODBRIDGE – SEWAREN, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–The New Jersey Turnpike Authority has removed American Flags from bridges along the highway recently. The flags were replaced with signage that reads, “Placement of signage or items of any nature on this structure is strictly prohibited.” Many American Flags have been placed on bridges after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. Many people including veterans, police and other organizations have been maintaining these flags on bridges since the attacks.
After 19 years the NJ Turnpike Authority has a sudden change of heart and ripped American Flags from the bridges citing a “distraction”
Statement by the NJ Turnpike Authority on the flags:
Turnpike Authority Statement on Posting of Flags, Posters, and Signs on Turnpike and Parkway Bridges:The New Jersey Turnpike Authority appreciates and applauds patriotism. We try to express patriotism ourselves every day by maintaining dozens of American flags at properties in our right of way — office buildings, toll plazas, service areas, maintenance facilities, State Police buildings, warehouses. Those flags are treated with the utmost respect by Turnpike Authority personnel. They are flown on suitable staffs. They are illuminated at night. They are lowered to half-staff when the state is in mourning. They are removed, properly destroyed, and promptly replaced when they become faded or worn and are no longer suitable symbols of our national ideals.
The long-standing policy of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority has been to prohibit the display of any flags, signs, or banners by private parties on Turnpike Authority property. While we appreciate the desire of some New Jersey residents to express their patriotism in these turbulent times by displaying flags on Turnpike and Parkway overpasses, Turnpike Authority regulations do not allow it, and for good reason. The Turnpike and Parkway run through more than 100 municipalities and include more than 1,100 bridges and other structures. The NJTA cannot adequately monitor flags mounted by private citizens to make sure they are safely and securely hung, properly displayed, and respectfully maintained. While we hope that everyone who wants to display the American flag finds a suitable location to do so, we believe that limiting the flags displayed on Turnpike Authority property to ones hung and maintained by Turnpike Authority staff is the best way to assure that all flags in the Turnpike and Parkway right of way are treated with the respect they deserve.
Several Facebook users have posted their dissatisfaction with the removal of the flags on the NJ Turnpike Facebook Page below:
American Flags on the overpasses have been removed by the NJ Turnpike Authority and replaced with this signage.
Statement from Robbinsville PBA Local #344:
Last month, Robbinsville P.B.A. Local 344 purchased over a dozen American flags to replace those that were either missing or tattered on the overpasses covering the New Jersey Turnpike and I-195. The amount of support we received via social media and throughout town was incredible, and our post reached nearly 8,000 viewers. The reason we decided to replace the flags was to continue the tradition of honoring our veterans and those lost in service for our country. American flags have been flown on overpasses throughout the state and throughout the nation since 9/11.
Now, as we approach the anniversary of that horrific day, we are extremely disappointed to announce that the NJ Turnpike Authority saw fit to remove all flags on overpasses covering the N.J.T.P. last week, replacing them with signs citing N.J.A.C. 19:9-1.13. This is a code which is meant to apply to advertisement material or improper road signage. We cannot understand why the N.J.T.P.A. has suddenly decided to abandon a tradition of patriotism and respect for our veterans. It is not known what happened to the brand new flags that we put up, but we truly hope they were respectfully disposed of, if not displayed elsewhere.
The flags that we placed on the overpasses were firmly secured, and it was the P.B.A.’s full intention to continue maintaining them, to ensure proper respect was given. They did not impede traffic and did not obstruct visibility for passing motorists. The placement of the flags was done in the same manner that has been done for nearly twenty years.
I have written to the Director of Relations at the N.J.T.P.A. and hope to have a reason for the unexplained action soon. If any share in our disappointment at the removal of the flags, please feel free to write/call their office ([email protected] / (732)750-5300).
We hope this matter is resolved soon, and we will continue to fly the American flag proudly. Have a great Labor Day.
Thank you,
Michael Slininger
President – Robbinsville P.B.A. Local #344
Robbinsville Township Police PBA members have been maintaining American Flags on bridges in Robbinsville and recently replace many worn flags in August for September 11 coming up this week.
A peaceful protest was held in Sewaren, Woodbridge Township, NJ today protesting the removal of American Flags from bridges on the New Jersey Turnpike.
Photos courtesy of Sewaren, NJ History Facebook Page:
A peaceful protest was held today in Sewaren, Woodbridge Township today on a NJ Turnpike overpass, Photos courtesy of: Sewaren, NJ History Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Sewaren.NJ/
September 6, 2020
NORTH HANOVER, NJ (BURLINGTON)–Around 5:15 pm a fire was reported at 242 Monmouth Road at Blacey’s U-Pick & Auto Parts. Upon arrival of fire personal a 2nd Alarm plus a tanker task force was called. Two more additional tanker task forces were called a short time later.
Several area fire companies were involved in fighting this fire.
More information to follow.
September 6, 2020
SHIP BOTTOM, NJ (OCEAN)–Around 12:40 am a fire broke out at 1815 Long Beach Boulevard a neighboring Ship Bottom firefighter was able to knock down the fire quickly with a home fire extinguisher. Upon arrival of the fire department firefighters made entry and found fire extension into the wall and roof area by the awning. Firefighters used a 1 3/4″ line to wet down the area. The Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating.
See updated MidJersey.News story here: Update: Pedestrian Motor Vehicle Crash With Serious Injuries
September 6, 2020
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Around 9:30 pm last night police were on scene at George Dye Road and Route 33 investigating a crash that appeared to happen between a motor vehicle and a pedestrian. No further information is available at this time. MidJersey.News has emailed HTPD for press information and will update the story when official information becomes available.
Photos by: Brian McCarthy, OnScene News
Photos by: Brian McCarthy, OnScene News
September 6, 2020
SHIP BOTTOM, NJ (OCEAN)–Estimates of 2,500 boats participated in a Trump Boat Parade that was also supporting Law Enforcement Officers and Veterans yesterday.
Boaters are congregated at the mouth of Tom’s River in Barnegat Bay and split into two major groups north bound and south bound.
The northbound parade started at the mouth of Toms River and past the Mantoloking Bridge, F-Cove and Bay Head.
The southbound parade started from the mouth of the Toms River and went past the Manahawkin Bridge all the way down to Beach Haven. A large group of boaters anchored in Ship Bottom after the parade.
Rep Smith joined the Law Enforcement Officers and Veterans Supporters of Trump Boat Parade in Barnegat Bay in Ocean County today in a boat captained by Ocean County GOP chairman Frank Holman. One report estimates that 2,500 boats participated in the show of support.
Some of the many Trump Boat Parade participants in the Ship Bottom area and Manahawkin Bridge
September 6, 2020
Please keep the Lakewood Police Department in your prayers they lost an off duty active police officer and a retired officer yesterday.
JACKSON-LAKEWOOD, NJ (OCEAN)–A fatal accident occurred around 4:54 pm in the 100 Block of Thompson Bridge Road involving a motorcycle, yesterday afternoon. Jackson Township Fire Department, Jackson Township EMS and Jackson Township Police all responded to the scene to try and save the man that was reported to be an off duty Lakewood Police Officer. Lakewood Township Police Department has announced the officer’s passing see below:
It is with an extremely heavy heart that the Lakewood Police Department announces the untimely passing of Officer Nicklas Shimonovich.
Twenty-three year old Nicklas Shimonovich was involved in an off duty motorcycle accident in Jackson Township earlier this afternoon in which he sustained life threatening injuries. He was transported to Monmouth Medical Southern Campus were he tragically succumbed to his injuries a short time later. At this time the accident is under investigation by the Jackson Township Police Department and the Ocean County Prosecutors Office.
Officer Shimonovich was hired in March of 2018 and was assigned to our Patrol Division on the evening shift. He was well respected by his peers, supervisors and the community he loved to serve. We ask that you keep him and his family and friends in your thoughts during this difficult time.
Jackson Police Department News Release
Fatal MVC Investigation
On Saturday September 5, 2020 at 4:54 pm, officers and emergency personnel responded to Thompson Bridge Road on the report of a motor vehicle crash with injuries involving a motorcycle.
Responding officers and First Aid located the single vehicle and driver which was involved in this incident and provided care and transported the driver to an area hospital where he succumbed to the injuries received in the crash.
The driver was identified as Nicklas Shimonovich, age 23 of Jackson, NJ.
Initial investigation of the crash indicated that Mr. Shimonovich was travelling east on Thompson Bridge Road on a 2015 Harley Davidson when the motorcycle ran off the roadway and struck a mailbox and utility trailer which was parked on a property. He was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
The crash is under investigation by the department’s Traffic Safety Unit. Anyone who may have witnessed this crash is asked to contact Police Officer Tristan Bennett or Kevin Chesney at 732-928-1111.
Captain Steven LaskiewiczInvestigations Division CommanderJackson Township Police Department
September 6, 2020
The Lakewood Police Department has also lost a retired member of their force Det. Larry Doyle #189 (Retired).
It’s been a sad day for the Lakewood Police Department.
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Det. Larry Doyle #189 (Retired).
Det. Doyle was hired by the Lakewood Police Department in September of 1980. After 25 years and 4 months of service he retired in December of 2005.
Det. Doyle spent many years in our Patrol Division where he made numerous arrests and helped train newly hired Officers.
In 2002, he earned the rank of Detective and conducting numerous investigations involving burglary, theft and stolen cars.
Det. Doyle was also our resident expert regarding Hazardous Materials Training. Something he had vast knowledge in due to his time with the Fire Service.
Law Enforcment, Firefighting and his Family were his passion.