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Emergency authorization granted to pioneering Rutgers lab and collaborators

May 8, 2020

NEW BRUNSWICK – Rutgers’ RUCDR Infinite Biologics received an amended emergency use authorization from the FDA late Thursday for the first SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus test that will allow people to collect their own saliva at home and send to a lab for results.The decision follows the FDA’s recent emergency approval to RUCDR Infinite Biologics for the first saliva-based test, which involves health care workers collecting saliva from individuals at testing sites.The new at-home saliva self-collection assay, developed by RUCDR in partnership with Spectrum Solutions and Accurate Diagnostic Labs, allows for broader screening than through the standard method using nose and throat swabs at a healthcare facility or testing location that requires a physical interaction with a healthcare professional.

“The impact of this approval means that not only do we no longer have to put healthcare professionals at risk for infection by performing nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal collections, we can now preserve precious PPE for use in patient care instead of testing and can significantly increase the number of people collected each and every day in places other than a healthcare setting,” said Andrew Brooks, chief operating officer and director of technology development at RUCDR, who also is a professor in the School of Arts and Sciences Department of Genetics at Rutgers University–New Brunswick.

“This will enable testing for people that do not have the means to get to a collection center and/or are at home because they are sick, quarantined, at increased risk for infection or simply concerned about exposing themselves by traveling to a collection site. This approach will have a significant impact on helping people in New Jersey and across the United States get back to work as we will be able to monitor large numbers of people in a variety of locations.”

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April 15, 2020

World: Cases: 2,062,485 Deaths: 134,354 Recovered: 511,843 as of 9:24 pm update.

United States of America: Cases: 637,716 Deaths: 30,826 Recovered: 52,619 Tested: 3,242,755 as of 9:24 pm update

For latest statistics visit Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 Tracker Here

New Jersey: Cases: 71,030 Deaths: 3,156

NJ Statistics Here

We now have 71,030 confirmed #COVID19 cases.• Atlantic: 322• Bergen: 10,848• Burlington: 1,261• Camden: 1,587• Cape May: 178• Cumberland: 210• Essex: 8,579• Gloucester: 602• Hudson: 8,511• Hunterdon: 356• Mercer: 1,856• Middlesex: 6,576• Monmouth: 4,122• Morris: 3,525• Ocean: 4,016• Passaic: 6,750• Salem: 84• Somerset: 2,001• Sussex: 551• Union: 7,438• Warren: 468

• Under Investigation: 1,189

We’ve now lost 3,156 precious New Jerseyans to COVID-19.• Atlantic: 13• Bergen: 608• Burlington: 45• Camden: 49• Cape May: 10• Cumberland: 3• Essex: 590• Gloucester: 14• Hudson: 312• Hunterdon: 14• Mercer: 76• Middlesex: 248• Monmouth: 167• Morris: 212• Ocean: 166• Passaic: 182• Salem: 4• Somerset: 101• Sussex: 41• Union: 269• Warren: 30

• Unknown: 2

Governor Murphy Holds Coronavirus Briefing on April 15, 2020 

Governor Murphy Holds Coronavirus Briefing on April 15, 2020 

Monmouth County has 4,122 positive cases 
of COVID-19

FREEHOLD, NJ – Monmouth County Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone and Freeholder Deputy Director Susan M. Kiley have announced that, as of April 15, the State is reporting 119 new positive cases of COVID-19 in Monmouth County, bringing the total to 4,122.

The breakdown by municipality is as follows:

• Aberdeen: 115
• Allenhurst: 2
• Allentown: 3
• Asbury Park: 79
• Atlantic Highlands: 14
• Avon-by-the-Sea: 9
• Belmar: 8
• Bradley Beach: 17
• Brielle: 20
• Colts Neck: 49
• Deal: 22
• Eatontown: 124
• Englishtown: 15
• Fair Haven: 17
• Farmingdale: 9
• Freehold Borough: 127
• Freehold Township: 344
• Hazlet: 159
• Highlands: 18
• Holmdel: 139
• Howell: 366
• Interlaken: 1
• Keansburg: 64
• Keyport: 50
• Lake Como: 12
• Little Silver: 25
• Loch Arbour: 1
• Long Branch: 229
• Manalapan: 312
• Manasquan: 22
• Marlboro: 294
• Matawan: 106
• Middletown: 330
• Millstone: 47
• Monmouth Beach: 14
• Neptune City: 22
• Neptune Township: 213
• Ocean: 170
• Oceanport: 39
• Red Bank: 83
• Roosevelt: 2
• Rumson: 24
• Sea Bright: 7
• Sea Girt: 9
• Shrewsbury Borough: 24
• Shrewsbury Township: 6
• Spring Lake: 6
• Spring Lake Heights: 15
• Tinton Falls: 76
• Union Beach: 28
• Upper Freehold: 26
• Wall: 141
• West Long Branch: 46
• Unknown: 22

Monmouth County news updates and information regarding the COVID-19 situation are posted at www.visitmonmouth.com.

Covid-19 Total Cases (3970) In Ocean County:

Total as of Wednesday, 4/15/2020 at 11:30 am

Effective as of March 28, 2020, the data represented below identifies the municipality or mailing address which was self-reported by the resident at the time of testing. It may not necessarily represent the municipality of residence.

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May 12, 2020

See previous MidJersey.news story: New Jersey Air National Guard To Conduct “NJ Salutes” Flyover To Honor COVID-19 Frontline Workers Tuesday

MILLSTONE-UPPER FREEHOLD-EAST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER/MONMOUTH)–As seen from the East Windsor Cemetery, three F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 177th Fighter Wing and a KC-135R Stratotanker from the 108th Wing fly over Millstone, East Windsor and Upper Freehold Townships as part of the NJ Salutes Fly Over honoring frontline workers in the COVID-19 battle.

The first to be seen at 11:40 am was the large KC135R Stratotanker as it made its way from the Freehold direction and turned over the “Robbinsville” FAA beacon on the Assunpink Wildlife Management Area then proceeded north towards Cranbury to continue the mission. Three F-16 Fighting Falcons were following the tanker.

Photo gallery below:

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May 6, 2020

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Governor Phil Murphy today signed Executive Order No. 138 which extends the Public Health Emergency declared on March 9, 2020 through Executive Order No. 103 and extended on April 7 through Executive Order No. 119. Under the Emergency Health Powers Act, a declared public health emergency expires after 30 days unless renewed. “Extending this declaration ensures that we can continue using every resource at our disposal to mitigate the spread of COVID-19,” said Governor Murphy. “But I want to ensure that this extension is not interpreted to mean that we are reconsidering our path forward or changing course on the principles I laid out last week in the Road Back plan. We will continue to stand by these principles and protect public health as we responsibly take steps to get the economy moving again.”Executive Order No. 138 extends all Executive Orders issued under the Governor’s authority under the Emergency Health Powers Act. It also extends all actions taken by any Executive Branch departments and agencies in response to the Public Health Emergency presented by the COVID-19 outbreak.

For the full text of Executive Order No. 138, click here.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy puts his mask back on at the end of his Friday, May 1, 2020, press conference at War Memorial in Trenton, NJ, on the State’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.

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May 4, 2020

After some discussion MidJersey.news has decided to post the “tape” of the meeting so readers can hear what was said exactly. Warning MidJersey.news finds this highly offensive and discretion is advised.

The meeting can be heard here, WARNING CONTAINS FOUL LANGUAGE INCLUDING PROFANITY AND SLURS DISCRETION ADVISED

https://midjerseynews.files.wordpress.com/2020/05/recoring_5-2-20_council-briefing.mp3 The meeting can be heard here, WARNING CONTAINS FOUL LANGUAGE INCLUDING PROFANITY AND SLURS DISCRETION ADVISED

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)– See yesterday’s story “After anti-LGBTQ Attacks Against Trenton Mayor, Garden State Equality Calls For Councilwoman Robin Vaughn To Step Down”

Please see below for Mayor W. Reed Gusciora’s statement regarding the May 2^nd council briefing call.  

“I do regret interacting with Robin Vaughn on Saturday’s COVID briefing call with Trenton City Council. She has had a history of causing disruptions at Council meetings and attacking other decent people, based on their religion or ethnicity, who want to move our City forward. She has also remained steadfast in her opposition to economic development or any other sign of progress for our City.” 

“Vaughn has been relentless in her attacks of members of my Administration and regular City workers trying to do their jobs. She is in violation of a Court Order for her to refrain from such conduct. The prior pass given the Councilwoman for her anti-Semitic comments begs the question, “when is enough?”” 

“However, my frustration became especially palpable on the briefing call when Councilwoman Vaughn made the assertion that federal grant dollars were going to “do-nothing” organizations. Among them were Homefront, Catholic Charities, the Rescue Mission and the Trenton Health Team. I took this personally because I know first-hand the hard work these organizations have been undertaking in the response to COVID-19. They provide healthcare, rental support, food access, emergency shelters, and a whole litany of other critical needs.” 

“Government leaders at all levels will disagree on the best course of action, and sometimes emotions can get the best of us. But Councilwoman Vaughn chose to launch into a vitriolic attack full of homophobic slurs, false accusations, and hateful comments. This was beyond the pale. The toxic and harassing language used by the Councilperson has no place even in the most heated of arguments.” 

“The City is facing difficult decisions regarding the path forward in the face of a global pandemic. I am putting my focus and energy towards figuring out solutions to our challenges. As I have always done, I will continue to work with those members of the City Council that want to advance initiatives that benefit the citizens of Trenton. We simply do not have time for those that refuse to consider the collective good.” 

“My actions have always spoken louder than my words, and my actions have been and will be to work tirelessly on behalf this City. It is time for an end to the divisive and disruptive behavior of Councilwoman Vaughn” 

Trenton Mayor W. Reed Gusciora

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April 26, 2020

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–Robbinsville Township Council, with unanimous support from Mayor Dave Fried and Administration, passed Resolution 2020-13G Thursday honoring the extraordinary life of 4-time Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient Lt. Col. John Kapferer.

The distinguished Army veteran and Chief Commander of American Legion Post 530 passed away April 17, 2020.

Our deepest, heartfelt condolences go out to all of John’s friends and family.
The Resolution can be read below.

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April 21, 2020

TRENTON – Governor Phil Murphy and Department of Banking and Insurance Commissioner Marlene Caride announced today that the state has secured relief options with private student loan servicers to expand on the protections the federal government granted to federal student loan borrowers. These new options stand to benefit an estimated 200,000 New Jerseyans with privately held student loans.   “Far too many New Jerseyans struggle with crushing student loan debt in good times, and our current crisis has only exacerbated the problem,” said Governor Murphy. “This initiative will provide much needed relief to New Jerseyans who are struggling with student loans and other financial obligations during this crisis. I commend the private sector servicers that joined this initiative for easing some of the affordability concerns of our student loan borrowers who have been impacted by COVID-19.”The federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided much needed relief for students with federal loans, including the suspension of monthly payments, interest, and involuntary collection activity until September 30, 2020. However, the CARES Act does not apply to millions of student loan borrowers with federal loans that are not owned by the US Government as well as loans made by private lenders.  Under the initiative announced today, New Jersey residents with commercially-owned Federal Family Education Program Loans or privately held student loans who are struggling to make their payments due to the COVID-19 pandemic will be eligible for expanded relief.  The initiative is modeled on the agreement made by the New York Department of Financial Services with commercial student loan servicers in its state. Borrowers in need of assistance must immediately contact their student loan servicer to identify the options that are appropriate to their circumstances. Relief options offered by participating servicers include:

• Providing a minimum of 90 days of forbearance relief for borrowers; 
• Waiving late payment fees for borrowers;
• Ensuring no borrower is subject to negative credit reporting;
• Ceasing debt collection lawsuits for 90 days; and
• Working with eligible borrowers to enroll them in other applicable borrower assistance programs.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has left many New Jerseyans struggling with severe financial hardship,” said Department of Banking and Insurance Commissioner Caride. “Through this effort, New Jersey residents will have payment options available as they are working to balance the financial needs of their families and obligations that include student loans, during this unprecedented time. This initiative also appropriately protects against negative credit reporting for using these payment options.”“The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic has posed financial hardships for many New Jerseyans, particularly those whose employment may have been impacted by this emergency. As residents navigate their ‘new normal’ and strive to protect their own health and safety during this public health crisis, borrowers should not have the added worry of how they are going to repay their student loans,” said Dr. Zakiya Smith Ellis, Secretary of Higher Education. “I am pleased to see these additional relief measures that will create greater options for repayment flexibility.”The initiative builds upon the relief provided to student loan borrowers by New Jersey’s Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (NJ HESAA). Last month, Governor Murphy announced that borrowers with loans from the New Jersey College Loans to Assist State Students (NJCLASS) program can apply for payment relief programs that fully meet the terms of today’s agreement with other private student loan servicers. “As New Jersey’s state financial aid agency, HESAA remains committed to supporting student loan borrowers,” said David J. Socolow, executive director of HESAA. “We are providing relief for NJCLASS borrowers experiencing illness, unemployment, or financial hardship. HESAA has never charged late fees nor will we do so during this crisis. And during the pandemic emergency, we are protecting borrowers’ credit and suspending involuntary collection activities.”The Department notes that if regulated student loan servicers are limited in their ability to take these actions due to investor restrictions or contractual obligations, servicers should instead proactively work with loan holders whenever possible to relax those restrictions or obligations.  Prudent and reasonable actions taken to support relief for borrowers during the pandemic will not be subject to examiner criticism from the Department of Banking and Insurance.Under today’s announcement, in addition to NJ HESAA, the following are private student loan servicers providing relief:Aspire Resources, Inc.College Ave Student Loan Servicing, LLCEarnest Operations, LLCEdfinancial Services, LLCKentucky Higher Education Student Loan CorporationLendkey Technologies, Inc.Higher Education Loan Authority of the State of Missouri (MOHELA)Navient Corp.Nelnet, Inc.SoFi Lending Corp.Tuition Options, LLCUtah Higher Education Assistance Authority (UHEAA)

Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC) New Jersey worked cooperatively on this initiative with California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington. Numerous student loan servicers have been working with borrowers during this time period, and additional servicers are expected to sign onto the initiative. More information and a list of participating servicers may be found at dobi.nj.gov. To determine the types of federal loans they have and who their servicers are, borrowers can visit the U.S. Department of Education’s National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) at nslds.ed.gov or call the Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243 or 1-800-730-8913 (TDD). Borrowers with private student loans can check the contact information on their monthly billing statements. Residents who have questions or are experiencing trouble with their student loan servicer may contact the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance Consumer Hotline at 1-800-446-7467 (8:30 am to 5:00 pm EST Monday-Friday), or go to the Department website and click on Consumer Assistance – Inquiries/Complaints, at https://www.dobi.nj.govFor more information, see these COVID-19 related Questions and Answers for NJCLASS borrowers: https://www.hesaa.org/Documents/Misc/NJCLASS_Q_n_A.pdf

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April 13, 2020

TRENTON – Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal and Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, announced the following recent enforcement actions against violators of Governor Murphy’s Emergency Orders related to COVID-19: 

• Newark Enforcement.  The Newark Police Department’s COVID-19 task force issued 85 summonses for violations of the emergency orders and ordered seven non-essential businesses closed in enforcement actions on Saturday and Sunday, April 11 and 12.

• Deja M. Lewis , 28, of Salem City, was charged on Saturday, April 11, by the Salem City Police with second-degree terroristic threats during an emergency.  Lewis was arrested on warrants.  While at police headquarters, she began to cough in close proximity to the arresting officers who were processing her.  As she was coughing, she claimed that she was diagnosed COVID-19 positive and the health department had been to her apartment.

• Terrell Coley, 30, of East Orange, was arrested on April 7 by the Newark Police for allegedly punching and spitting at an emergency medical technician (EMT) at the Exxon Gas Station at 481 Central Avenue.  Coley is charged with throwing bodily fluid at an EMT who was on duty (4^th degree), aggravated assault on an EMT who was on duty (4^th degree), and obstruction (disorderly persons offense).  Coley rode his bike in front of the emergency vehicle driven by the EMT, almost causing a collision.  Coley began yelling at the EMT and followed him into the gas station.  While the EMT was getting gas, Coley allegedly approached him and spat on him.  Coley also allegedly stuck the EMT in the face with his fist.  Coley drove away, but police were able to identify and arrest him.

• Alycia D. Roman, 37, of Camden, was arrested on Sunday, April 12, by the Brooklawn Police Department on charges of robbery (2^nd degree), aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (3^rd degree), shoplifting (disorderly persons offense), and violation of the emergency orders.  Police responded to a report of shoplifting at the ShopRite in Brooklawn.  Store employees followed Roman to her vehicle after she allegedly walked out of the store with various items without paying for them. When one employee tried to recover the items, Roman argued with him and allegedly spat on his shirt.  She then drove in reverse, allegedly striking another employee.  As she drove away, that second man  had to jump out of the way to avoid being struck again.

• Stephen Breza, 70, of Toms River, was arrested twice on Saturday, April 11, by the Toms River Police in incidents at different Wawa stores.  Shortly before 11 a.m., Breza allegedly became belligerent when he was told to wear a mask inside the Wawa store at 179 Route 37 East.  He allegedly started screaming, flailing his arms, and cursing at employees.  He allegedly threatened a customer in the store that he was going to hit him with a pipe. When police arrived, he screamed at officers and resisted arrest.  Shortly after 1:30 p.m., he went to a second Wawa at 1600 Route 37 East, where he again refused to wear a mask. He allegedly punched a male customer in the face, and when the victim left the store, Breza allegedly went to his car and retrieved a pipe, which he wielded menacingly.  Breza was arrested again and lodged in jail.  In each case, he was charged with violating the emergency orders, disorderly conduct, and failure to submit to fingerprinting.  In the first case, he also was charged with resisting arrest (disorderly persons offense).  In the second case, he also was charged with second-degree terroristic threats during an emergency and third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

• Lagbeh Tulay, 29, Tinnoh Blayee, 21, and Jonathan Payne, 25, all of Trenton, and Fomba Tulay, 23, of Hamilton, were arrested by the Trenton Police on Friday, April 10.  Police responded to the residence of Lagbeh Tulay and Tinnoh Blayee in the first block of Vine Street on a noise complaint.  Police found approximately 15 people inside the residence playing loud music.  There were numerous food trays and empty and full bottles of alcohol.  The four defendants were arrested when they refused to provide identification or comply with directions from officers.  All four were charged with obstruction and resisting arrest, both disorderly persons offenses.  Lagbeh Tulay was also charged with violating the emergency orders.

• Joseph C. Davenport, 34, of Penns Grove, was charged late Saturday night, April 11, by the Penns Grove Police with violating the emergency orders.  Police on patrol found a group of approximately six people gathered outside and not practicing social distancing.  When police approached the group, Davenport allegedly became verbally abusive to the officers.

• Thong Quoc Tran, 44, of Fairless Hills, Pa., was charged by the Hamilton Township Police (Mercer County) on Saturday, April 11, with violating the emergency orders for opening his business, Diamonds Nail Salon at 2200 South Broad Street.  Police determined that he was  allowing customers in through the rear of the business to receive salon services.

• Shakeem Sanders, 23, of Paterson, was charged on Saturday, April 11, with violating the emergency orders for operating his recording studio at 463 Grand Street in Paterson.  Police responded early Saturday to a report that Sanders had been attacked and wounded by an unknown assailant while operating the studio.  The investigation of the attack is ongoing.

• Brendan R. Vidulich, 34, of Hewitt, has a recording studio on the same floor as Sanders’ studio at 463 Grand Street in Paterson (see previous case).  He was also charged on Saturday, April 11, with operating his studio in violation of the emergency orders.

• Paulina B Kashirsky, 35, of Jersey City, was charged by the Long Beach Township Police on Friday, April 10, with violating the emergency orders for renting a condominium she owns on Long Beach Island for 10 days.  She also was charged with obstruction (disorderly persons offense) for falsely claiming to have rented it for 30 days.

• Frank Medina, 37, of Spotswood, was charged by the East Brunswick Police with violating the emergency orders, theft by unlawful taking (3^rd degree), and criminal trespass (disorderly persons offense).  He was arrested on Saturday, April 11, for allegedly stealing tires from an industrial park on Connerty Court in East Brunswick.

• Chris Giddle, 21, of Randolph, was arrested Friday night, April 10, by the Denville Township Police and charged with eluding (2^nd degree), resisting arrest (4^th degree), and violating the emergency orders.  Giddle allegedly attempted to elude an officer who signaled for him to stop his vehicle.  He allegedly crashed into multiple vehicles and attempted to flee on foot.

• Dionicia Zapoteco, 36, of Bridgeton, was arrested Saturday, April 11, by the Bridgeton Police on charges of DWI, resisting arrest (disorderly persons offense), and violating the emergency orders.  She allegedly was involved in a hit and run accident on Bank Street in Bridgeton.

• Gina F. Fabrico, 29, of Gloucester Township, was charged on Saturday, April 11, by the Gloucester Township Police with violating a restraining order (4^th degree) and violating the emergency orders for traveling to the home of a relative who has a restraining order against her.

 “Our police officers are working bravely and tirelessly every day to protect us during this health crisis.  Regrettably, they are being called upon far too often to deal with people violating the emergency orders— or what is more egregious, people using the virus to spread fear or impede officers in their vital work,” said Attorney General Grewal.  “Staying home and maintaining social distance isn’t just the best advice to stay healthy, it’s the law.  Make no mistake, we will do everything in our power to keep our residents and officers safe, and that means we won’t hesitate to file charges against violators.”    “Law enforcement and medical professionals are on the frontlines of this battle to protect the citizens of New Jersey from the COVID-19 virus, and we cannot stress enough how important it is that each person follow the guidelines set forth in the Executive Order,” said Colonel Patrick Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “Because lives are at stake, enforcement action will be taken without hesitation against those who are blatantly placing the lives of others at risk.” Violations of the emergency orders constitute a disorderly persons offense carrying a potential sentence of up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.  However, violators can potentially face criminal charges including second, third, and fourth degree indictable offenses. Last week, Attorney General Grewal announced enhanced charges against six individuals who were charged with assaulting law enforcement officers and violating the emergency orders.  Specifically, those enhanced charges included making terroristic threats during a state of emergency, which is a second degree offense and carries a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000.  Defendant Deja Lewis is similarly charged for her conduct against law enforcement officers. Third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000, while fourth-degree charges carry a sentence of up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. The charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. If you are seeing a lack of compliance with the Governor’s emergency orders in your town, please contact your local police department or report here https://covid19.nj.gov/violation The Attorney General’s Office and New Jersey State Police will continue to work with law enforcement throughout New Jersey to deter non-complaint behavior. No one should take advantage of this pandemic to further their own biased agendas.  COVID-19 is no excuse to promote anti-Semitic conspiracy theories and or other biased stereotypes.  Please report bias crimes at 1-800-277-BIAS.

Monday April 13, 2020 – During his coronavirus briefing in the George Washington Ballroom in the Trenton War Memorial, Governor Phil Murphy memorializes Patterson Police Officer Francesco Scorpo, who died from the coronavirus. State Police Superintendent Colonel Patrick Callahan is at right. (Pool photo by Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

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May 11, 2020

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–An accident on Interstate 195 West Bound at mile marker 6.3, just after the NJ Turnpike Exit caused traffic delays up to 10 minutes. The accident happened around 12:30 pm. closing the right lane and right shoulder. No injures were reported in the accident. The roadway has been reopened.

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April 17, 2020

JACKSON TOWNSHIP, NJ (OCEAN)–Trespassing Complaints

Recently JPD officers have had to respond to multiple reports of people trespassing onto Six Flags Great Adventure property along Reed Road. Some of those incidents have been:

On Sunday April 12, 2020 at approximately 1431 hours, officers responded to Reed Road on a report of people along the fence line. Responding officers located a family on bikes riding along Reed Road, which is an unpaved, township road. Officers did not observe anyone at the fence line trespassing on SFGA property which would fall under the petty disorderly persons offense of defiant trespassing and since the in presence requirement of the officers observing the offense was not met for them to legally issue a summons, the subjects were warned and SFGA representatives were contacted and advised they could sign complaints if they so chose.

The responding officers also considered the Governor’s Executive Order 107 which advises residents to stay at home or at their place of residence unless they are leaving for the following reasons: (exception) “walking, running or engaging in outdoor activities with immediate family, caretakers, household members or romantic partners” and E.O. 108 which states that no county or municipality may adopt or enforce any restrictions going forward related to: “any general restrictions on freedom of movement”. As this was a single family riding bikes on a public roadway, and other passing vehicles observed and not a party or social gathering as prohibited by E.O. 107, the subjects were advised of social distancing and no summonses were issued, which would have to be authorized by the Ocean County Prosecutors Office as related to violations of the Executive Order.

On Thursday April 16, 2020, officers responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle on Reed Road and trespassing on SFGA property. During this investigation, a 49 year old male was observed trespassing on property and claimed he went there to see the animals. He was issued a summons for defiant trespassing and released at the scene pending a court appearance.

Also on April 16th, the agency received information on 2 male subjects who were captured on SFGA security cameras, climbing over the fence and entering the safari property where they potentially could have risked coming into direct contact with the safari animals. This incident reportedly took place on Tuesday April 14th at approximately 1759 hours and the males were inside the safari for approximately a half hour before leaving. Anyone with any information on helping identify these subjects is asked to contact the Jackson Police Department at 732-928-1111 or through the department’s StopIt app online. Photos of the male subjects involved in this incident are included with the release.

We recommend that residents observe the Governor’s Executive Orders and stay at home, but if you do go outside, please remember to socially distance yourself from others. If going out, please do not trespass onto Six Flags Adventure Property (or any others), as the park is closed at this time. There will be additional patrols in the area and officers will investigate and evaluate each instance independently, keeping in mind the Executive Orders and Constitutional Rights and complaints will be signed when warranted.

A link for information on Executive Orders 107 and 108 is attached in the comments of this release. Thank you to all of our residents for your support and cooperation as we all deal with this current health crisis.

– The media and the public are reminded that any persons arrested or charged with any offenses or crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

Captain Steven LaskiewiczInvestigations Division CommanderJackson Police Department

April 17, 2020