Day: April 9, 2020

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

April 9, 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 34 summonses for violations of the emergency orders and ordered two non-essential businesses closed in enforcement actions yesterday, April 8.
  • Sean M. McGuire, 42, of Camden, was charged yesterday, April 8, with second-degree terroristic threats during an emergency, third-degree endangering, and fourth-degree risking widespread injury.  McGuire allegedly refused to follow medical advice to self-quarantine and said he did not “give a [expletive] who he infected.” He allegedly threatened security staff at Cooper University Hospital and refused to cooperate with officers of the Camden Police who encountered him at the Walter Rand Transportation Center.
  • Willie Boles, 50, and Charles E. Scotton, 51, both of Pennsauken, were charged on Tuesday, April 7, by the Camden Police with violating the emergency orders and gambling in public.  The two men allegedly held a large craps game on Marlton Avenue in Camden with approximately 19 people present.  They were warned last month when they organized a similar gambling event.
  • Albert E. French, 33, of Milford, was charged in Clinton Township on Tuesday, April 7, with violating the emergency orders and disorderly conduct for walking back and forth along Route 22 displaying obscene poster boards and making obscene gestures to motorists.
  • Moshe Knopfler, 55, of Union City, was charged with violation of the emergency orders (disorderly persons offense) and failure to disperse (petty disorderly persons offense).  Police had warned Knopfler on several prior occasions when he held gatherings on his property.  He was charged on Tuesday, April 7, when police found approximately 13 people on his property.
  • Elizabeth Fernandez, 56, of Woodland Park, and Juan Rosario, 60, of Paterson, were charged by the Paterson police on Tuesday evening, April 7, with two violations of the emergency orders for opening Quilvio Tavern at 933 Main Street, where police found customers gathered inside and drinking at the bar.
  • Armin, Mahesh, 59, of Iselin, was charged with violating the emergency orders and alcoholic beverage control regulations at the liquor store he owns with his wife.  Police responded to Medina Liquor Store at 709 East Jersey Street on a report that groups were gathering at the store and drinking alcohol.  Officers found a number of patrons consuming alcoholic beverages in a back room of the store in violation of regulations and the emergency orders.  Authorities shut down the business, where responding inspectors found multiple code violations.
  • Ibrahim Muhammad, 25, and Ashley Appleton-Tims, 25, both of Brick, were charged yesterday, April 8, with violating the emergency orders for opening the Coliseum Barbershop & Hair Salon in Brick.  Ibrahim is the owner of the business, and Appleton-Tims is a salon employee who was assisting a client when police arrived yesterday.
  • Cheyenne M. Scott, 19, of Clayton, was charged with harassment, a petty disorderly persons offense, for spitting on a man yesterday in Clayton and then claiming she had COVID-19.
  • Richard Mariano, 66, of Randolph, was charged yesterday, April 8, with violating the emergency orders, theft by unlawful taking (disorderly persons offense), trespassing (petty disorderly persons offense), and disorderly conduct.  Mariano allegedly entered the Randolph Township Recycling Center, stole a refrigerator from one of the recycling containers, then violently dismantled it by the side of the road while yelling at township employees
  • Steven C. Singleton, 29, Camden, was arrested on April 5 at the Walter Rand Transportation Center in Camden, where he loitered for approximately 20 minutes, interacting with various persons and not taking any transportation. When he was approached by police, he allegedly resisted arrest and was found to be in possession of a small amount of marijuana and two ecstasy pills (methyl​enedioxy​methamphetamine—MDMA).  He was charged with possession of ecstasy (3rd degree), possession of marijuana (disorderly persons offense), and resisting arrest (disorderly persons offense).
  • Madison L. Greenetz  25, of Cherry Hill, was charged on April 2, with violating the emergency orders, providing alcohol to minor (disorderly persons offense), and trespassing in violation of a local ordinance (petty disorderly persons offense).  She allegedly was drinking alcohol in a township park with a juvenile.
  • William L. Joseph, 20 , of Lindenwold, was charged yesterday, April 8, with violating the emergency orders and defiant trespass, both disorderly persons offenses.  Joseph was previously warned that outdoor basketball courts in the borough are closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but police found him playing basketball in a park. Signs also indicated that the court was closed.

 “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.  Police have charged a number of persons with second-degree terroristic threats during an emergency for claiming to have COVID-19 and threatening to infect law enforcement officers or others by coughing, spitting, or otherwise exposing them.  That charge carries a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000.  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.

COVID-19 Stats for April 9, 2020 – Over 1.5 Million World Wide, 450k+ USA, NJ Over 51k Cases 1,700 Dead

April 9, 2020

World: Cases: 1,582,154 Deaths: 94,807

United States of America: Confirmed cases: 452,582 Deaths: 16,129

New Jersey: Confirmed cases: 51,027 Deaths: 1,700

Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 Tracker for the latest updates.

We have 3,748 new positive #COVID19 cases, bringing our total to 51,027.
• Atlantic: 191
• Bergen: 8,343
• Burlington: 883
• Camden: 990
• Cape May: 109
• Cumberland: 111
• Essex: 6,069
• Gloucester: 413
• Hudson: 5,879
• Hunterdon: 286
• Mercer: 1,161
• Middlesex: 4,628
• Monmouth: 3,248
• Morris: 2,645
• Ocean: 3,093
• Passaic: 4,690
• Salem: 43
• Somerset: 1,335
• Sussex: 392
• Union: 5,203
• Warren: 319
• Under Investigation: 996

We’ve lost another 198 New Jerseyans to COVID-19, bringing our total to 1,700 deaths.
• Atlantic: 4
• Bergen: 345
• Burlington: 21
• Camden: 23
• Cape May: 3
• Cumberland: 3
• Essex: 312
• Gloucester: 8
• Hudson: 132
• Hunterdon: 4
• Mercer: 36
• Middlesex: 152
• Monmouth: 98
• Morris: 117
• Ocean: 119
• Passaic: 82
• Salem: 3
• Somerset: 59
• Sussex: 21
• Union: 145
• Warren: 1
• Unknown: 12

We currently have 7,363 hospitalizations, including COVID-19 positive patients and persons under investigation.

1,523 individuals are in critical care. 1,551 individuals are on ventilators.


Covid-19 Total Cases (3105) In Ocean County:

Total as of Thursday, 4/9/2020 at 2:00 pm

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 NameNumber of Cases
Barnegat86
Barnegat Light2
Bay Head3
Beach Haven5
Beachwood48
Berkeley229
Brick382
Eagleswood0
Harvey Cedars0
Island Heights3
Jackson272
Lacey83
Lakehurst7
Lakewood987
Lavallette8
Little Egg Harbor31
Long Beach Township8
Manchester178
Mantoloking0
Ocean Gate3
Ocean Twp. (Waretown)14
Pine Beach3
Plumsted19
Point Pleasant Beach16
Point Pleasant Borough70
Seaside Heights15
Seaside Park3
Ship Bottom5
South Toms River33
Surf City3
Stafford78
Toms River508
Tuckerton3
Total Positive Cases: 3105

Monmouth County has 3,252 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 9, there are 3,252 positive cases of COVID-19 in Monmouth County.

The breakdown by municipality is as follows:

  • Aberdeen: 99
  • Allenhurst: 2
  • Allentown: 1
  • Asbury Park: 56
  • Atlantic Highlands: 12
  • Avon-by-the-Sea: 9
  • Belmar: 4
  • Bradley Beach: 13
  • Brielle: 19
  • Colts Neck: 43
  • Deal: 21
  • Eatontown: 90
  • Englishtown: 10
  • Fair Haven: 15
  • Farmingdale: 9
  • Freehold Borough: 92
  • Freehold Township: 258
  • Hazlet: 124
  • Highlands: 12
  • Holmdel: 105
  • Howell: 294
  • Interlaken: 1
  • Keansburg: 48
  • Keyport: 35
  • Lake Como: 8
  • Little Silver: 24
  • Loch Arbour: 1
  • Long Branch: 163
  • Manalapan: 261
  • Manasquan: 20
  • Marlboro: 247
  • Matawan: 77
  • Middletown: 265
  • Millstone: 38
  • Monmouth Beach: 14
  • Neptune City: 17
  • Neptune Township: 175
  • Ocean: 145
  • Oceanport: 37
  • Red Bank: 60
  • Roosevelt: 2
  • Rumson: 23
  • Sea Bright: 8
  • Sea Girt: 8
  • Shrewsbury Borough: 21
  • Shrewsbury Township: 4
  • Spring Lake: 6
  • Spring Lake Heights: 12
  • Tinton Falls: 56
  • Union Beach: 16
  • Upper Freehold: 23
  • Wall: 105
  • West Long Branch: 39
  • Unknown: 5

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


NJ Wildlife Management Areas Open But Practice Social Distancing-Don’t Ruin It For Others

April 9, 2020

Wildlife Management Areas are currently open for hunting and fishing. We want to keep it that way, so we need YOU to observe proper social distancing guidelines to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT to practice safe social distancing at all times!

Be safe. Be smart. Keep your distance and keep our Wildlife Management Areas open!

For more information visit www.njfishandwildlife.com

#newjerseyfishandwildlife

Surgical Masks Still Available For Seniors, All KN95 Masks Have Been Distributed

Update April 9, 2020

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–All KN95 masks have been distributed and no longer available, there are still some surgical masks available for seniors only at the Robbinsville Township Senior Center.

See previous story here

  • The masks are available (one per-person) to Robbinsville Township Seniors Ages 60+ only
  • Please call Renee Burns at (609) 575-2032 to make pickup arrangements through the Senior Center between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

County Freeholders: About Park Closings, COVID-19 and TakeoutInMonmouth.com

April 9, 2020

FREEHOLD, NJ – On behalf of the Board of Chosen Freeholders, Monmouth County Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone and Freeholder Deputy Director Susan M. Kiley held a press conference today to provide updates on the COVID-19 situation and additional support that the County will supply the business community.

“Since the start of the Take Out in Monmouth initiative last week, we have complied well over 750 businesses, which can be found at www.takeoutinmonmouth.com,” said Freeholder Director Arnone, liaison to the Divisions of Economic Development and Tourism. “Today, we are now adding breweries and wineries to this online list to further boost the local economy. These business owners are our friends, neighbors and community leaders and we owe our support to these individuals and their employees during this difficult time.”


Visit http://takeoutinmounmouth.com https://co.monmouth.nj.us/page.aspx?ID=5029 for further local listings.

Visit the Screaming Hill Brewery page for barnside pickup. Orders placed the day before will be ready the next day for pickup. Try the “Blood Orange” a midjersey.news favorite.

Visit Screamin Hill our local farm fresh brewery for barn side pickup. Remember to place order the day before for pickup the next day.

Heavenly Havens Has Ice Cream Takeout Window:

LaPiazza Delivers now, you might be lucky enough to have DJ Nebbs deliver for you:


Together, Monmouth County municipalities, local chambers as well as the County Divisions of Economic Development and Tourism continue to research and identify all food grocers, breweries, wineries and restaurants open. While the County works to maintain an updated list, email TakeOutInMonmouth@visitmonmouth.com to be listed or request a change in listing.


“As a result of mounting cases and more and more residents becoming increasingly frightened to leave their own home, the Monmouth County Aging Disability Resource Center has prepared the COVID-19 Resource Guide to assist seniors and residents with disabilities who may be struggling to acquire basic needs during this health pandemic,” said Freeholder Deputy Director Kiley, liaison to the Department of Human Services. “The County has been extensively collaborating with local officials and the guide will be frequently updated to reflect the most current services and resources offered by municipality.”

In addition to Monmouth County ADRC (Aging Disability Resource Center), Monmouth ACTS (Assisting Communities Through Services) has been directing residents to Monmouth Resource Net, an online directory of community and health resources and services, information about residential mortgage relief as well as mental health support.

The Freeholders also discussed the Executive Order signed on Thursday, April 7 by the Governor, closing all Monmouth County parks indefinitely.

“I would like to publicly state that I do not support the indefinite closure of all county parks in New Jersey. I also find it unacceptable that we have no input as to when they will reopen. There are a number of options that could have been considered as an alternative to completely closing county parks, including limiting hours, days, et cetera,” said Freeholder Director Arnone. “The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders has felt, throughout this entire pandemic, that our County parks are essential for our residents’ mental health and a great choice for passive recreation. I promise that we will open our parks immediately as soon as the Executive Order is lifted.”

All public is restricted from parks and golf courses. Park and golf course entrances and parking lots are gated or barricaded and visitors who gain park access by foot or bike will be directed to leave, as the parks will still be patrolled. Marina services are suspended but owners will have access to their boats.

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

100 Days In Office, A Message from Mayor Martin – April 9, 2020

April 9, 2020

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–To my fellow Hamiltonians: 

April 9th marks my 100th day in office as your Mayor. I stand with you today overcome with pride as we tackle a world pandemic together as one great hometown. As a community, you are an inspiration to me and many others with how you have handled these unprecedented times. Whether you are a first responder, healthcare worker, or other essential employee, all of you have risen to the occasion and met the challenges of each day head-on. 

I have been moved by many of the stories we have shared with you and I want to take a moment to share some of them again. While there are many organizations and individuals stepping up during this time in need, here is just a small sample of the truly amazing things happening in our community.   

Salvona Technologies is headquartered right here in Hamilton. While it normally produces skincare and perfume products, the company has transitioned to making disinfectant sprays in order to meet the increased demand. Salvona is donating enough bottles so that each police officer in town has their own individual bottle to maintain sanitary conditions while working to keep you safe. Even more, Salvona donated 8,000 gloves that were distributed to first responders and healthcare workers throughout Mercer County.

SWITLIK is a known family-owned entity in Hamilton for 100 years (established 1920). It has fabricated parachutes for our servicemen and servicewomen during wartime, and it has once again found itself manufacturing for a different kind of war. SWITLIK transitioned some of its operations to create face shields to keep our healthcare workers safe. The company continues to shine as an exemplary business here in Hamilton. 

I cannot pick just one local restaurant to give thanks to, so I want to thank them all. Our local restaurants continue to stay open to serve us and bring some normalcy to our lives. They have adapted, without complaint, and many are staying open even though closing would make more financial sense. I know many of you are continuing to support them and I ask you to please continue as they, along with all our small businesses, are the backbone of our community. 

Very early on during the pandemic, the Tramo family decided to help their community. Their three children decided to organize a GoFundMe page and have raised thousands to donate to our local businesses and their employees to provide additional help. Like many other individuals and families here in Hamilton, they are doing what they can to help in big and small ways.   

If there was ever a doubt why Hamilton needs its own local hospital, that debate should be put to rest forever. RWJ Hamilton has taken everything thrown at it by this virus and answered each and every call. We can never thank the healthcare workers, staff, and administration enough for all the long and hard hours they have put in at this time. They are truly on the front lines of this war and are saving lives each and every day. I thank everyone who has donated PPE, food, and other provisions to keep them running. 

Our Township employees are genuinely remarkable.  They are true public servants, working each day to improve our town and keep it running. I want to give special recognition to our Health Department, led by our Director Kathy Fitzgerald. Their jobs do not stop at night or on the weekends, and they make sure our town stays healthy and safe. The next time you see a township employee who is working through this crisis, please thank them!

On a personal note, I am extremely grateful for my relationships with other officials throughout Mercer County. It has been a pleasure to work with Dr. Rocco, a true leader for our Hamilton Schools.  I speak with Mayor Fried and Mayor Mironov almost daily, and I communicate with our Township Council, other area mayors, and county leadership multiple times each week. Additionally, our state elected officials have always been there when we need assistance.  We are truly lucky to have so many great leaders in one county, and I have had the pleasure of working with them through this crisis.

As you can see, Hamilton is truly an inspirational place to live and work. I hope you join me this holiday weekend in appreciating all we have to be thankful for, and all we have to look forward to once we beat this virus.  Together, you make me #HamiltonProud!

Jeff Martin
Mayor

Testing Underway At Robbinsville COVID-19 Testing Site

April 9, 2020

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–COVID-19 testing began today at the Robbinsville Township municipal building testing site. Hours are 9 am to 5 pm and available by appointment see below for link. The site is open to Robbinsville Township and Mercer County Residents.

The nasal swab testing is by appointment only via online registration at: https://www.clockwisemd.com/hospitals/2059/visits/new.

Those wishing to be tested must be symptomatic, or have been exposed to a COVID-19 positive patient. Testing will be conducted in the rear of 2298 Route 33, Robbinsville, NJ 08691 on Thursday, April 9 and Friday, April 10 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The site also will be open for testing on Monday, April 13, Wednesday April 15 and Friday, April 17 beginning at 9 a.m. Testing is available without a prescription to residents of Mercer County. Robbinsville residency is not required. The Municipal Building and Senior Center remain closed to the general public.

Testing will be limited to one person per-household. The cost for self-pay individuals without insurance will be $99 paid via credit card (only) at the time of service at the site. Those with insurance also will be required to provide a valid credit card, but only after insurance is applied will any remaining patient responsibility be charged to the card. Please contact your healthcare insurer for coverage verification, and be prepared to upload your photo ID and insurance card (if available) during registration. No cash will be accepted.

Notification of both positive and negative results will be made by phone in 2-3 days.

The drop off bins located outside the Township municipal building will not be available during testing days (April 9, 10 13, 15 & 17). Please drop off those materials on Tuesday or Thursday next week.