Day: April 6, 2020

Burlington, Mercer County, Middlesex County, Monmouth County, Ocean County, Trenton April 6, 2020April 6, 2020

April 6, 2020 COVID-19 Statistics Update

April 6, 2020

World: Positive Cases: 1,349,299 Deaths: 74,679 at 8:39 pm update

United States of America: Confirmed positive cases: 367,507 Deaths: 10,908 at 8:39 pm update.

New Jersey: Confirmed positive cases: 41,090 Deaths: 1,003

Follow the latest at the Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 here

We have 3,663 new positive #COVID19 cases, bringing our total to 41,090.
• Atlantic: 132
• Bergen: 6,862
• Burlington: 646
• Camden: 645
• Cape May: 85
• Cumberland: 64
• Essex: 4,493
• Gloucester: 279
• Hudson: 4,395
• Hunterdon: 211
• Mercer: 740
• Middlesex: 3,263
• Monmouth: 2,545
• Morris: 1,956
• Ocean: 2,374
• Passaic: 3,756
• Salem: 29
• Somerset: 902
• Sussex: 292
• Union: 3,685
• Warren: 215
• Under Investigation: 3,521

We’ve lost another 86 New Jerseyans to COVID-19, bringing our total to 1,003 deaths.
• Atlantic: 1
• Bergen: 200
• Burlington: 11
• Camden: 8
• Cape May: 3
• Cumberland: 2
• Essex: 186
• Gloucester: 3
• Hudson: 92
• Hunterdon: 2
• Mercer: 19
• Middlesex: 87
• Monmouth: 62
• Morris: 60
• Ocean: 71
• Passaic: 53
• Salem: 2
• Somerset: 31
• Sussex: 11
• Union: 78
• Warren: 7
• Unknown: 14

As of 2:00 PM, COVID-19 statewide stats:
• Positive Tests: 41,090
• Deaths: 1,003

For updates: covid19.nj.gov

Covid-19 Total Cases (2395) In Ocean County:

Total as of Monday, 4/6/2020 at 9:30 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.

Town Name	Number of Cases
Barnegat	60
Barnegat Light	2
Bay Head	2
Beach Haven	3
Beachwood	31
Berkeley	156
Brick	285
Eagleswood	1
Harvey Cedars	0
Island Heights	2
Jackson	213
Lacey	59
Lakehurst	4
Lakewood	825
Lavallette	5
Little Egg Harbor	23
Long Beach Township	8
Manchester	121
Mantoloking	0
Ocean Gate	3
Ocean Twp. (Waretown)	9
Pine Beach	0
Plumsted	17
Point Pleasant Beach	10
Point Pleasant Borough	63
Seaside Heights	13
Seaside Park	3
Ship Bottom	5
South Toms River	26
Surf City	2
Stafford	57
Toms River	385
Tuckerton	2
Total Positive Cases: 2395

Monmouth County has 2,577 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 6, there are 2,577 positive cases of COVID-19 in Monmouth County.

The breakdown by municipality is as follows:

Aberdeen: 68
Allenhurst: 1
Allentown: 1
Asbury Park: 45
Atlantic Highlands: 10
Avon-by-the-Sea: 8
Belmar: 4
Bradley Beach: 11
Brielle: 12
Colts Neck: 33
Deal: 19
Eatontown: 73
Englishtown: 11
Fair Haven: 15
Farmingdale: 9
Freehold Borough: 58
Freehold Township: 181
Hazlet: 100
Highlands: 8
Holmdel: 80
Howell: 226
Keansburg: 35
Keyport: 24
Lake Como: 5
Little Silver: 21
Loch Arbour: 1
Long Branch: 117
Manalapan: 228
Manasquan: 20
Marlboro: 205
Matawan: 56
Middletown: 232
Millstone: 33
Monmouth Beach: 11
Neptune City: 11
Neptune Township: 130
Ocean: 118
Oceanport: 31
Red Bank: 49
Roosevelt: 2
Rumson: 23
Sea Bright: 6
Sea Girt: 8
Shrewsbury Borough: 20
Shrewsbury Township: 3
Spring Lake: 6
Spring Lake Heights: 10
Tinton Falls: 41
Union Beach: 15
Upper Freehold: 22
Wall: 91
West Long Branch: 28
Unknown: 2

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

Mercer County, Trenton April 6, 2020April 6, 2020

Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order to Strengthen COVID-19 Response Efforts by Allowing Certain Retirees to Return to Public Employment– Police And Other Law Enforcement Officers Can Return To Work From Retirement In COVID-19 Battle

Executive Order Allows Retirees to Return to Public Employment Without Impacting Their Retirement Pensions; Removes Restrictions on Law Enforcement’s Ability to Temporarily Supplement Their Ranks

April 6, 2020

TRENTON – To further strengthen the ability of New Jersey’s public workforce to respond to COVID-19, Governor Phil Murphy today signed Executive Order No. 115, allowing retirees to return to State and local government employment without impacting their retirement pensions and removing restrictions on law enforcement’s ability to temporarily supplement their ranks. Governor Murphy’s Executive Order also enrolls newly hired State employees in the State Health Benefits Plan (SHBP) immediately upon hire. The SHBP enrollment only applies to new State employees hired in connection with COVID-19 response efforts.“Right now, we need all the experienced help we can get – whether it be retired law enforcement officers returning to duty, or nurses who can return to University Hospital,” said Governor Murphy. “Today’s Order will remove roadblocks preventing retired public employees from joining our fight against COVID-19 – in any capacity they can – without impacting their pension status.”The Governor’s Executive Order makes the following changes to the State’s personnel policies for the duration of the public health emergency:Retirees: Retirees may return to public employment in any capacity, including full-time, part-time or as SLEOs, provided:

The retiree has retired before the date of the executive order;
The retiree has completed at least a 30-day separation from their employment, dating from the date of retirement or the date of board approval, whichever is later; and
The retiree’s return to employment is necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Special Law Enforcement Officers (SLEOs): The 25% SLEO cap is suspended and a municipality may employ the number of SLEOs as are necessary in the judgement of the law enforcement agency to address public health and safety.New Hires: Any individual hired by a State or local entity in response to the COVID-19 pandemic may immediately enroll in SHBP.The Order will take effect immediately.A copy of the Executive Order No. 115 can be found here.

Attorney General Grewal Announces New Measures and Issues Guidance to Address Law Enforcement Manpower Challenges During COVID-19 Pandemic

TRENTON – Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal today announced a series of measures to help law enforcement address the manpower challenges that result from officers being sick or quarantined at a time when unprecedented demands are being placed upon them.

Attorney General Grewal announced the following steps, among others:

Facilitating the hiring of retired officers as Special Law Enforcement Officers (SLEO IIs);
Offering guidance through the Police Training Commission (PTC) for police departments to use recruits in more supporting roles; and
Establishing training through the Division of Criminal Justice for military police and security personnel in the National Guard in case they are activated for law enforcement duties.

“Law enforcement officers are facing a perfect storm when it comes to manpower, because they are being called on to tackle new challenges and take on more responsibilities in the battle against this pandemic—at the very time that hundreds of officers are battling COVID-19 or are quarantined,” said Attorney General Grewal. “Not since 9/11 or Superstorm Sandy have law enforcement across our state experienced such strain, and some of the steps we are outlining to address the manpower challenges mirror the steps we took after those events. Our officers are working courageously and tirelessly to protect us during this crisis, and I am grateful for their partnership. I am committed to doing everything in my power to assist law enforcement, because they deserve nothing less.”

Hiring Retired Officers. Attorney General Grewal today announced new policies to enable police departments to hire as SLEO IIs retired officers who previously served in good standing in New Jersey. They must meet the training requirements for SLEO IIs, but any officer who retired less than three years ago will be presumed compliant, and the PTC will process waivers for most training requirements expeditiously, consistent with established procedures. SLEO IIs, while on duty, can exercise the full powers and duties of a regular police officer.

Attorney General Grewal also laid out how law enforcement agencies can hire retired officers for administrative roles, as the New Jersey State Police and police departments across New Jersey did following 9/11 and Superstorm Sandy. Hiring retired officers in non-law enforcement titles serves to free officers assigned to administrative units for roles in the field.

Expanding Duties for Police Recruits. With New Jersey’s law enforcement academies closed, law enforcement agencies can use recruits who have not completed basic training in administrative roles. Attorney General Grewal recommended that police departments expand the duties to which recruits are assigned, as long as they are not assigned to perform law enforcement functions. They can assist with dispatching responsibilities, processing of prisoners, citizen inquiries, and similar responsibilities, which allows other officers to focus on the COVID-19 response.

This guidance relating to the rehiring of retired officers and use of recruits builds on prior efforts announced by the Attorney General to expand law enforcement capacity. Among other things, the Attorney General previously announced that the Department was expediting the process by which SLEO IIIs—who are limited by statute to performing duties on school or college grounds—can be re-designated as SLEO IIs. To date, the PTC has approved approximately 200 waivers of additional training requirements in order to expedite that process, typically in less than 24 hours.

National Guard Training. At the same time, Attorney General Grewal announced that his Office, through the Division of Criminal Justice, has established a bridge training for security personnel and military police officers within the National Guard so that they will be ready to conduct limited law enforcement actions if called upon in the emergency. The training is a proactive measure to ensure National Guard members—limited to those with prior law enforcement training and experience—are prepared if needed. The National Guard has not been activated to conduct law enforcement actions, and the training is not an indicator of any plan to activate them.

Hamilton, Hamilton, Mercer County, Monmouth County, Rumson, Trenton April 6, 2020

AG Grewal and Colonel Callahan Issue Daily Update on Charges Filed Against Violators of Governor Murphy’s COVID-19 Executive Orders

April 6, 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 26 summonses for violations of the emergency orders and ordered four non-essential businesses closed in enforcement actions yesterday, April 5.

Rumson Party— Ryan Sheftel, 46 of Rumson, was charged last night with disorderly conduct and violating a borough ordinance by disturbing the peace in connection with the large party and concert in Rumson on Saturday night, April 4. When officers ordered the partygoers to disperse, Sheftel allegedly cursed at the police and shouted “Welcome to Nazi Germany.” Earlier yesterday, the host of the party, homeowner John Maldjian, 54, of Rumson, was charged with reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct, and two separate charges related to violating the emergency orders – all disorderly persons offenses – and violation of two borough ordinances.

Marco Costa, 28, of Harrison, was charged today by police in Kearny with terroristic threats during an emergency (2nd degree), three counts of throwing bodily fluid at a law enforcement officer (4th degree), five counts of attempted burglary (3rd degree), and possession of a hypodermic syringe (disorderly persons offense). Costa was arrested after police received a report of a man fitting his description pulling on car door handles in the area. While being handcuffed, Costa allegedly told officers he had the coronavirus and purposely coughed at them.

Dennis Steward, 52, of Valley Stream, N.Y., was charged on April 4 in Hamilton, Mercer County, with terroristic threats during an emergency (2nd degree), throwing bodily fluid at an officer (4th degree), and DWI. Steward was charged after he crashed into a house on South Olden Avenue in Hamilton. He was taken to St. Francis Hospital in Trenton at his request after he complained of chest pains. While there, he allegedly became aggressive and spat on hospital security guards, two Hamilton police officers, and a nurse. He claimed he had Covid-19 and had just come back from visiting someone in Bronx, N.Y., who died from the virus.

**Dennis Steward,** 52, of Valley Stream, N.Y., was charged on April 4 in Hamilton, Mercer County, with terroristic threats during an emergency (2nd degree), throwing bodily fluid at an officer (4th degree), and DWI. Steward was charged after he crashed into a house on South Olden Avenue in Hamilton. He was taken to St. Francis Hospital in Trenton at his request after he complained of chest pains. While there, he allegedly became aggressive and spat on hospital security guards, two Hamilton police officers, and a nurse. He claimed he had Covid-19 and had just come back from visiting someone in Bronx, N.Y., who died from the virus.

Derrick E. Hughes II, 32, of Woolwich, was charged on April 5 with terroristic threats during an emergency (2nd degree), endangering (3rd degree), throwing bodily fluid at an officer (4th degree), violation of a temporary restraining order (TRO) (disorderly persons offense), and violating the emergency orders. Hughes was arrested by the Woolwich Township Police for violation of a TRO, and while being fingerprinted, he allegedly spat at officers. While being handcuffed, he allegedly breathed heavily on an officer and stated that he had COVID-19 and hoped the officers would catch it.

Terrance Edwards, 34, of New Brunswick, was arrested early today by New Brunswick police after he allegedly broke into a residence while naked and armed with a knife. He left that residence and allegedly attempted unsuccessfully to break into a neighboring residence. When officers arrived, Edwards yelled that he had the coronavirus. He was charged with burglary (2nd degree), possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose (3rd degree), unlawful possession of a weapon (4th degree), and violation of the executive orders.

Anekia Dawkins, 35, of Morristown, was charged by local police with violating the executive orders for holding a party at her residence with more than 10 people on Saturday night, April 4.

Tyeashia Henderson, 20, of Hillside, was charged by police with violating the executive orders for holding a party at her house with approximately 20 people on Sunday, April 5.

Steven Nunez, 22, of Clifton, Tiffany Colon, 21, of Clifton, and Valerie Saez, 22, of Passaic, were charged with violating the emergency orders after a West Milford police officer found them parked in a vehicle at the Clinton Road Reservoir boat launch after hours.

“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. Defendants Costa, Steward, and Hughes are similarly charged for their conduct against law enforcement officers.

Second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000, while third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000. 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.

Mercer County, Trenton April 6, 2020April 6, 2020

Trenton Mayor Gusciora And City Officials Address April 5th Violence

April 6, 2020

See previous stories from April 5, 2020 gun violence here at links below:

Trenton Under Siege: 2 Dead And 5 Injured In Multiple Shootings Sunday

Shooting 1

Shooting 2

Shooting 3

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Mayor Gusciora held a press conference to address April 5th violence in the community and the continued response to COVID-19 in the Capital City.

Mayor of Trenton, W. Reed Gusciora said, “Yesterday was Palm Sunday, yet it was anything other than peaceful in the Capital City. In at least four separate incidents of gun violence, there were 8 people shot and 2 are dead and 1 fighting for her life. I realize that while the Governor’s “Stay at Home Order” and social distancing protocol is being followed by most Trentonians, too many took to the parks and streets without regard to the public’s health and well-being. Moreover, much of the violence can be attributed to unlawful ATV riders, who in at least one incident utilized them in the shootings.

These reckless acts not only endanger the public welfare and safety of innocent persons living in Trenton, but also can hasten the chances of spreading COVID-19 in our community. We see too many young persons congregating on street corners, ignoring park closures, and crowding corner stores and delis. Too many lives are at stake to allow this activity to continue.”

According, the City of Trenton is issuing a mandatory 8:00 pm. curfew within the City limits. That includes all persons (who are not working) and businesses within the Capital City. Restaurants, corner stores , and gas stations must shut down at 8 pm. People’s lives are at risk. This is not an easy decision. But my job as your mayor is to do everything in my power to protect the men, women and children in our City.

In addition, utilizing Emergency Authority, any business including gas stations and corner stores that remain open past 8 pm. or cannot not control social distancing and sanitary guidelines, will immediately shut down for the remainder of this pandemic.

Further, any gas station that services gas to anything other than a licensed and registered vehicle that is allowed to operate on the road, will immediately shut down. In addition, it will be illegal for anyone to park or publicly possess an off-road vehicle; and such ATVs will be confiscated. This the time to keep it in a garage or shed and not start it up or keep it in the open.

In the meantime, I will be submitting to Council on an emergent basis to legislative proposals to codify the State’s recent law allowing the confiscation of off-road vehicles and increase fines for violation of the City’s Emergency Powers.

This is not a time for politics or blame, but the public’s health and safety is of paramount importance. We grateful for every day Trentonians who are adhering to the Governor’s Stay-At-Home Order and social distancing guidelines set out by our public health experts. We have had a tremendous outpouring of support from community groups, from churches,m from non-profits, and from the private sector; all united in helping us fight a silent and invisible disease that is trampling through our streets. I am especially proud of our First Responders, the Police, Fire and EMS workers who risk their health to protect our City; our Trenton Health Team and our own Department of Health practitioners who are stepping up to prevent the further spread of this virus.

But still some in our community wish to resort to violence during this crisis. There are some who aim to take advantage of this situation. There are some bringing there own selfish and petty disputes to the open, and actively endangering the lives of the others to that end.

Unless you have a genuine emergency or are reporting to a job that Governor Murphy has deemed necessary, no Trentonian should be outside their home past 8:00 pm.

Our first responders, on top of dealing on the front lines of COVID-19, are now dedicating all possible resources to needless carnage that took place this past weekend. We will not allow this to be a flash point. We cannot allow this violence to continue unabated through our streets and in our homes.

I hope we take this Easter Week to further reflect on our moral values, how each citizen can contribute to our efforts to protect the health and safety of our City. Please reach out to us to prevent further violence; give our police or City Hall a call when you see this illegal activity and those that selfishly violate expected social norms. In order to combat the further spread of this pandemic to our City, please stay safe, stay healthy, and stay home.

Than you for your cooperation and support for our public health and safety efforts in our City. ”

Trenton Police Lieutenant Peter Szpakowski

Mercer County, Trenton April 6, 2020April 6, 2020

Trenton Under Siege: 2 Dead And 5 Injured In Multiple Shootings Sunday

Two Victims Shot to Death During Multiple Sunday Shootings in Trenton

Updates to stories we brought you yesterday to see information from those breaking news stories see these links:

Shooting 1

Shooting 2

Shooting 3

April 6, 2020 — Updated again at 11:31 am.

Photos by: Brian McCarthy, OnScene News

Authorities have identified the homicide victim from MLK Park as 20-year-old Frederick Mason of Trenton and the homicide victim from Garfield Avenue as 30-year-old Dabree Brannon of Trenton.

The woman who was shot in the head on Hoffman Avenue yesterday has been pronounced dead, making her the third homicide victim from Sunday’s shootings. Authorities have identified her as Quamierah Massey, 24, of Trenton.

The Mercer County Homicide Task Force, the Mercer County Shooting Response Team and the Trenton Police Department are investigating multiple shootings that occurred on Sunday, April 5. Two victims were fatally wounded and five additional victims were injured, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri reported.

The first shooting incident occurred shortly after 5 p.m. at Martin Luther King Park. A large group of people were at the basketball court when several suspects approached from Bond Street and fired into the group through an empty lot. As many as 40 shots were reportedly fired. A male victim was struck in the torso and transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. A second male victim was also struck in the torso and he remains hospitalized.

While detectives were investigating the homicide at MLK Park, another shooting occurred in the 100 block of Hoffman Avenue at approximately 7 p.m. A large group of people there were gathering to watch a street fight between two females. A female victim was standing on the sidewalk watching the fight when the suspect approached her from the street and shot her in the head. She was transported to the hospital where she remains in critical condition.

Then around 9 p.m., another shooting occurred in the 400 block of Garfield Avenue. Several people were hanging out in the area when a vehicle drove down the street and fired numerous rounds. One victim was struck in the hand, a second victim was struck in the leg, and a third victim was struck in the head. These three victims were transported to the hospital for treatment. While officers were securing the scene and locating evidence, they located a fourth victim in the backyard of the one of the houses on Garfield Avenue. The male victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

The investigations are ongoing and no arrests have been made. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Mercer County Homicide Task Force at (609) 989-6406. Information can also be emailed to mchtftips@mercercounty.org.