Day: September 29, 2020

New Jersey State Police Announces Enhancement to Firearms Application and Registration System

September 29, 2020

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–The New Jersey State Police announced today enhancements to the Firearms Application and Registration System (FARS), which further streamlines the paperless process to purchase a handgun. Beginning Thursday, October 1, this new enhancement to the FARS application process will make the Electronic Handgun Purchase to Permit (E-Permits) to purchase a handgun available immediately upon approval and provide electronic viewable access to available permits at licensed retail firearms dealers.

In 2016, Attorney General directive 2016-4 mandated uniform statewide practices and procedures for all firearm applications processes. In 2017, development began on the Firearms Application and Registration System (FARS), which was launched statewide in February 2019, streamlining the firearms application process for all municipalities across the state. The system allows residents of the state to submit online applications for firearms purchaser identification cards and handgun purchase permits.

The New Jersey State Police Firearms Investigation Unit and Information and Technology Section, along with outside vendors, spent years of research and development to launch (E-Permit). The enhancements will keep records on file electronically and allow police departments and licensed firearms dealers access to the database while enabling residents to conveniently acquire purchase permits online.

For information on how to submit applications, go to https://njsp.org/firearms

Mayor Gusciora Vetoes Municipal Election Date Change Ordinance

September 29, 2020

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)—Mayor W. Reed Gusciora announced today that he has vetoed City Ordinance 20-51, which would move the City of Trenton’s nonpartisan regular municipal elections from May to November, starting in 2022.

“While I commend City Council’s desire to improve voter participation in the Capital City, we need to take great care before we change the date of our elections, especially considering that this ordinance would extend the current term for our elected officials,” said Mayor Gusciora. “Not only do we need more information concerning potential costs of this move and whether it would actually increase voter turnout, this is ultimately a decision that should be approved by our residents via referendum. If we are truly serious about increasing participation in our electoral system, then we should not deprive Trentonians the opportunity to be heard in this matter.”

On May 5, 2020, Council passed a related initiative (City Ordinance 20-14), which would move the election but left approval to the voters through a referendum. Ordinance 20-51 repealed that measure and moved the election by legislative vote only.

“For the sake of transparency, I believe the issue is too important not to have voter input,” said Mayor Gusciora. “If we do it right, we would have a study commission or an intervening election before we give ourselves six more months in office.”

Allentown FFA Chapter Named 3 Star Chapter For 2020 National Chapter Award By National FFA Organization

September 29, 2020

ALLENTOWN, NJ (MONMOUTH)–INDIANAPOLIS, IN (September 16, 2020/National FFA Organization) – The Allentown FFA chapter of Allentown, New Jersey has been recognized in 2020 National Chapter Award Program from the National FFA Organization.

The program recognizes outstanding FFA chapters from throughout the country that actively implement the mission and strategies of the organization. These chapters improve chapter operations using the National Quality FFA Chapter Standards and a Program of Activities that emphasizes growing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture. Chapters are rewarded for providing educational experiences for the entire membership.

Chapters that received star ratings during judging this summer and will be recognized at the 2020 National FFA Convention & Expo, Oct 27-29, which will be held virtually this year.

All star-rated FFA chapters receive honors made possible by corporate sponsor John Deere.

“Feeding some 9 billion people by mid-century brings with it unprecedented challenges for today’s farmers,” said Amy Allen, manager, national corporate contributions for John Deere. “The skills and experiences learned though the National Chapter Award Program will help meet the critical needs.”

The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 760,000 student members as part of 8,700 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

State Police Arrest Seven after Year-Long Investigation

Detectives Seize Drugs, Firearms, High Capacity Magazines, and $313,000 Cash

September 29, 2020

EWING TOWNSHIP – TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–The New Jersey State Police have arrested six men and one woman for various drug and firearms offenses after a year-long cooperative investigation with the Trenton Police Department.

In September of 2019, the New Jersey State Police Crime Suppression Central Unit, Opioid Enforcement Task Force, and the Trenton Police Department began surveilling multiple individuals suspected of dealing narcotics in the Trenton and Ewing Township areas of Mercer County.

During the investigation, detectives arrested the suspects at various times and locations. Throughout the operation, the Ewing Township Police Department provided assistance on numerous occasions. Most notably, on Friday, July 10, 2020, a Ewing Township patrol officer who was assisting with the operation was dragged by Daniel Peyton when he fled in a Chevrolet Impala after being stopped by detectives on Stokes Avenue in Ewing Township. Peyton was later apprehended in the area of Shelton Avenue and Chelmsford Court.

As a result of the year-long operation, detectives seized more than 4 kilograms of cocaine, 1 bundle of heroin, 30 grams of marijuana, a 9mm handgun, a .40 caliber handgun, a 9 mm assault weapon, 2 high capacity magazines, hollow point ammunition, a 2016 Toyota Highlander, a 2010 BMW X5, and more than $313,000 cash.

“We will never cease in our collaborative efforts to stop the drug dealers who are fueling addiction and violence in Trenton,” said Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal. “At the same time, we are committed to combating the corrosive influence of these criminals on a second front by working with the community to develop programs for the young people of Trenton that will help them choose a strong and healthy course in life.”

“This operation targeted individuals who were profiting off of addiction and violence and whose actions stood in stark contrast to the countless members of the community who work tirelessly every day to strengthen and build safer neighborhoods,” said Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “We will continue to aggressively target drug dealers and violent criminals, but we will also continue to work with our community partners to implement educational and outreach programs to stay connected to our youth who far too often fall victim to addiction and gun violence.”

“This case demonstrates what we can achieve when we bring the full weight of local and state law enforcement against individuals who target our communities with addiction and violence,” said Trenton Police Director Sheilah A. Coley. “Trenton residents deserve to feel safe in their own neighborhoods, and I commend the officers and detectives who worked tirelessly on their behalf by ridding our streets of multiple firearms and thousands of doses of dangerous narcotics.”

The following were charged:

David Craig, 32, Trenton, N.J.

eluding
unlawful possession of a handgun
certain persons not to possess a firearm
possession of hollow point ammunition
possession of cocaine
possession with the intent to distribute cocaine
possession of a firearm while committing a CDS offense
possession with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a public park

Davon Craig, 27, Trenton, N.J.

unlawful possession of a handgun
certain persons not to possess a firearm
possession of hollow point ammunition possession of cocaine
possession with the intent to distribute cocaine
possession of a firearm while committing a CDS offense
possession with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a public park
money laundering

Davae Craig, 31, Trenton, N.J.

possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute
possession of heroin
possession of a high capacity magazine
money laundering

Deesade Meyers, 27, Ewing N.J.

unlawful possession of an assault weapon
unlawful possession of a high capacity magazine
money laundering

Daniel Sabree, 46, Bristol, PA

with possession with the intent to distribute marijuana

Daniel Peyton, 55, Westampton, N.J.

possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute
money laundering
aggravated assault (charged by Ewing Township Police Department)
eluding (charged by Ewing Township Police Department)

Wayne Bessant, 39, Trenton, N.J.

possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute
money laundering
The case is being prosecuted by the Division of Criminal Justice. Charges are mere accusations, and the accused are considered innocent until proven guilty.