Day: March 3, 2021

Robbinsville Township Professional Firefighters Assoc. IAFF Local #3786 Purchases $10,500. Fire Extinguisher Training Prop

March 3, 2021

ROBBINSVILLE TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–The Robbinsville Township Professional Firefighters Association, IAFF Local #3786 recently purchased a $10,500.00 fire extinguisher training prop from the annual fund drive money. The extinguisher prop is manufactured by Lion and is the Bullex Intelligent Training System (I.T.S) and uses propane and water extinguishers that is safer and environmentally friendly compared to the old method. In years past the firefighters would mix gasoline and diesel fuel and place in a cut-in-half 55 gallon drum. Firefighters would light the old style prop using roadway flares and use dry chemical fire extinguishers were used to extinguish the fire leaving a mess behind to clean up. The new method is safer using the Bullex ITS prop and is controlled by a firefighter while another firefighter instructs people how to extinguish the fire. No residue is left behind because of use of a water extinguisher using a spray to simulate common fire extinguishers. The mock extinguishers can be refilled on the spot with water and an air hose.

The fire department is called upon several times a year to provide fire extinguisher training for commercial business requiring OSHA fire extinguisher training. Other uses for the prop will be when organizations visit the firehouse and several township events during the year. For several years the Robbinsville Township Fire Department has been training high school seniors on the proper use of fire extinguishers during the “Senior Awareness Day” event held each year at Robbinsville High School.



Robbinsville Night Off 2021 Is A Success

March 3, 2021

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–Robbinsville Night Off was held tonight. According to the website Robbinsville Night Off is a chance to take advantage of a night of no homework and options for activities that allow you to enjoy an evening filled with family togetherness. The program is presented by Robbinsville Township Schools and the Robbinsville Township Recreation Department.

Several Township organizations and businesses come together to provide a fun relaxing night allowing people to get out and relax enjoy family and give back to the community.

Demonstrations were held at the Robbinsville Township Police Department and Robbinsville Township Fire Department. A Walk For Families In Mercer County was held at the gazebo.

One Project’s event sold out and had 65 families participate in an event to decorate and pack 1,300 snack bags for children. All snack bags will be donated directly to local Mercer County nonprofit organizations and Mercer County school districts to help in the fight against child food insecurity.

Mercer County Library System provided science kits that were available for pickup at the library.

People attending the events were required to wear masks and social distance.

Robbinsville Night Off Website

At the Robbinsville Police Department officers simulated a crime scene and explained how the process it. There were several demonstrations including ballistic processing, fingerprint lift, DNA collection and how blood is collected and other police equipment is used. The Robbinsville Township Police Department Bike Unit discussed bike safety tips.



The Robbinsville Township Professional Fire Firefighters Association, IAFF Local # 3786 used $10,500.00 of donations from the Union’s annual fund drive to purchase a Lion BullEx Intelligent Fire Extinguisher Training System The Intellegent Training System uses a propane prop to simulate a fire you would extinguish with a fire extinguisher. The new prop is not only safer but also environmentally friendly compared to the old way of burning a gasoline and diesel fuel mix. The extinguishers use a water spray that can be refilled on the spot and eliminate the usual messy cleanup after a fire extinguisher demonstration.



NJ Guard deployed at Capitol sickened by bad food

Update: Smith asks National Guard chief to provide food per diem, other safe food options for Guard personnel

March 3, 2021

WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) today asked the Speaker of the House to investigate and take immediate action on credible reports of tainted food that has made several National Guard members sick, including at least 30 from New Jersey.

            “This is outrageous,” Smith said. “The women and men deployed here from New Jersey and elsewhere to protect the Capitol deserve meals that are absolutely safe and healthful.

            “I’ve learned that dozens of National Guard members from New Jersey have gotten sick from tainted food—with some vomiting in the Senate parking lot.

“The provision of this bad food—whether intentional or not—must be thoroughly investigated.

            “The tainted food appears to be the exclusive fault of the private sector vendor, not the Guard. It is my understanding that Sardi’s Catering has the contract for food service, and a new provider of food needs to be found immediately.”



Sardi’s Catering company released a statement as follows:

“We have the greatest respect for the men and women of the National Guard who bravely serve our
country and continue to protect our nation’s capital. We are proud to serve our food to the National
Guard troops who have deployed to Washington from around the U.S., and we stand by the quality and
safety of the food we deliver to the National Guard troops.

As a trusted provider of nutritious and safe meals for the National Guard, Sardi’s Catering adheres to our
own rigorous standards for food safety and quality, and we are in full compliance with all standards and
requirements in our National Guard Bureau contract as well as state and District requirements.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we are required to pre-package individual meals for each recipient at our
own facilities, rather than setting up a kitchen on site. National Guard inspectors visit our facilities and
supporting kitchens regularly to conduct spot checks, ensure our supplies are up to their standards, and
that our food preparation and packaging is clean, safe, and fully compliant with federal regulations. No
issues have been recorded from these inspections.

Every delivery is inspected by an authorized representative of the National Guard and approved for
distribution. We have very clear timestamps on all deliveries indicating the exact time the food is
packaged and leaves our controlled environment, and we instruct the recipient to discard unused food
after four hours. We have no further control over the meals after they have been dropped off to the
National Guard’s Armory.

We are currently providing approximately 5,300 meals three times a day to the National Guard Armory.
When we receive a complaint referred to us by the National Guard, we investigate and take immediate
corrective action. The National Guard has estimated about less than .01 percent of the 1.2 million total
meals we have served since January 2021 have been undercooked. The National Guard has reported no
confirmed cases of foodborne illness. We have received requests from the National Guard to change the
menu — such as adding more protein to the breakfast menu and accommodating special dietary needs
— and we have made every effort to fulfill those requests.

We deliver the meals to the National Guard Armory in bulk, which are then allocated to the units by the
National Guard, so we have no control over the distribution process or the timing. It is not clear why or
how one particular state unit has recorded so many complaints, while there have been comparatively
few complaints from other state units, according to the National Guard. We are committed to providing
exceptional service to all our meal recipients, and we will continue to work closely with the National
Guard to address these concerns.

All of us at Sardi’s deeply appreciate the men and women who are participating in the essential mission
of protecting our nation’s capital. We are a trusted family business and an institution in the Washington
area, with a spotless reputation for quality, service, and integrity. The National Guard continues to
closely monitor the quality and safety of meals provided to its personnel, and we are working closely
with them to ensure our troops continue to have delicious and nutritious meals during their deployment
to Washington.”

Robbinsville Alternative Internet Provider Elawit Is Accepting Pre-Orders, Service Dependent On 500 Subscribers

March 3, 2021

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–If you are having trouble with one of the other Internet providers in town you may want to give Elauwit a try for Internet service. Elauwit now accepting pre-orders and the initial launch is dependent on 500 subscribers within the Town Center, Foxmoor, Cubberly Meadows, Sharon Mews and Sharon Meadows areas. If unable to reach its target goal, it will not be able to bring in-home internet service to Robbinsville Township. In that unlikely event, any pre-payment will be refunded.

To learn about this option for selected areas of Robbinsville Township go to this link: https://go.robbinswifi.com/

Michael Jackson and Alex Mendez, Paterson Councilmen Indicted on Charges of Election Fraud and Related Offenses

Four men are charged with criminal conduct involving mail-in ballots during the election.

March 3, 2021

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal today announced that Paterson City Councilmen Michael Jackson and Alex Mendez have been indicted by a state grand jury on charges of election fraud and other offenses related to the May 12, 2020 special election in the City of Paterson.

Jackson, 49, who is First Ward councilman, and Mendez, 45, who is Third Ward councilman, were initially charged by complaint summons on June 25, 2020, along with Shelim Khalique, 52, of Wayne, N.J., and Abu Razyen, 23, of Prospect Park, N.J. The original charges filed by complaint against Khalique and Razyen remain pending. All four men are charged with criminal conduct involving mail-in ballots during the election.

The investigation by the Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity & Accountability (OPIA) began when the U.S. Postal Inspection Service alerted the Attorney General’s Office that numerous mail-in ballots were found in a mailbox in Haledon. Hundreds of mail-in ballots were also found in a mailbox in Paterson. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all voting in the May 2020 elections in New Jersey was done by mail-in ballots.

“These indictments are an important step in our prosecution of these two sitting city councilmen on charges including second-degree election fraud,” said Attorney General Grewal. “As we have seen all too clearly in recent months, public confidence in our democratic process is critical. If anyone tampers with an election in New Jersey and threatens that process, we will hold them accountable.”

“New Jersey’s criminal code includes various indictable offenses related to election fraud and, in particular, fraud involving mail-in ballots,” said OPIA Director Thomas Eicher. “With these indictments, we’re using those laws for their intended purpose— defending free and fair elections by prosecuting those accused of seeking to undermine them.”

Jackson and Mendez were charged by the state grand jury in separate indictments, Jackson on Feb. 17 and Mendez on Feb. 24.  They are charged with the following crimes:

  • Election Fraud (2nd Degree)
  • Fraud in Casting Mail-In Vote (3rd Degree)
  • Unauthorized Possession of Ballots (3rd Degree)
  • Tampering With Public Records or Information (3rd Degree)
  • Falsifying or Tampering with Records (4th Degree)

Mendez is also charged with False Registration or Transfer (3rd Degree) and Attempted False Registration or Transfer (3rd Degree).

Additional details regarding the alleged conduct of the defendants, as set forth in the criminal complaints initially filed against them, are contained in the press release posted at this link:

https://www.nj.gov/oag/newsreleases20/pr20200625a.html

The indictments are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Second-degree crimes carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000, while third-degree crimes carry a sentence of three to five years in prison and fine of up to $15,000. Fourth-degree crimes carry a sentence of up to 18 months in prison and a $10,000 fine.

The investigation was conducted by prosecutors and detectives in the OPIA Corruption Bureau. Deputy Attorney General Eric C. Cohen is prosecuting the case, under the supervision of Corruption Bureau Chief Peter Lee and OPIA Deputy Director Anthony Picione.

Defense Attorneys

For Jackson: Theodore E. Kyles, Jr., Esq., of Clifton, N.J.

For Mendez: Paul Brickfield, Esq., Brickfield & Donahue, River Edge, N.J.

For Khalique: S. Emile Lisboa, Esq., Galantucci & Patuto LLC, Hackensack, N.J.

For Razyen: Brian Neary, Esq., Law Offices of Brian Neary, Hackensack, N.J.


Robbinsville Township Police Blotter February 2021

March 3, 2021

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–Robbinsville Township Police Department Police Blotter for February 2021.




 Police Blotter
 
 February 2021
 
  
 1.       Narcotics
 Date:  February 5, 2021
 Time:  1248
 Location:  I-195
 Reporting Officer:  Sergeant Scott Kivet
  
 Accused:              Darryl Parkman Age 35
                                 Trenton, NJ
 Charged:              Possession of Ecstasy with Intent to Distribute
                                 Possession of Crack Cocaine
                                 Possession of Marijuana
                                 Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
                                 Suspended Driver
                                 CDS in a Motor Vehicle
  
 Charged and released pending Court. 
  
 2.       Narcotics
 Date:  February 5, 2021
 Time:  2014
 Location:  Gordon Road
 Reporting Officer:  Patrolman James Pica
  
 Accused:              Clarence Semmon Age 36
                                 Robbinsville, NJ
 Charged:              Possession of Marijuana Over 50 Grams
                                 Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute
                                 Driving Suspended
                                 CDS in a Motor Vehicle 
 Accused:              Kali Williams Age 31
                                 Robbinsville, NJ
 Charged:              Possession of Marijuana Over 50 Grams
                                 Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute
                                 Driving Suspended
  
 Charged and released pending Court. 
  
 3.       DWI/Narcotics
 Date:  February 6, 2021
 Time:  1032
 Location:  Route # 130
 Reporting Officer:  Patrolman Robert Morgano
  
 Accused:              Paul Rutzler Age 51
                                 Monroe, NJ
 Charged:              Driving While Intoxicated
                                 Possession of Heroin
                                 Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
                                 Refusal to Submit to Breath Testing
                                 CDS in a Motor Vehicle
  
 Charged and released pending Court. 
  
 4.       DWI
 Date:  February 8, 2021
 Time:  2101
 Location:  Route #33
 Reporting Officer:  Patrolman Ryan Meehan 
 
 Accused:              Brian Kelly Age 45
                                 Robbinsville, NJ
 Charged:              Driving While Intoxicated
                                 Failure to Submit to Breath Testing
 Reckless Driving
                                 Careless Driving 
                                 
 Charged and released pending Court.
  
 5.       Narcotics
 Date:  February 10, 2021
 Time:  1255
 Location:  I-195
 Reporting Officer:  Sergeant Scott Kivet
  
 Accused:              Kyle Witkowski Age 26
                                 Jackson, NJ
 Charged:              Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
  
 Charged and released pending Court. 

 6.       Narcotics
 Date:  February 11, 2021
 Time:  1423
 Location:  I-195
 Reporting Officer:  Sergeant Scott Kivet
  
 Accused:              Robert Lagville Age 36
                                 Bradley Beach, NJ
 Charged:              Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
                                 Possession of Hypodermic Needle
  
 Charged and released pending Court. 
  
 7.       Narcotics
 Date:  February 12, 2021
 Time:  1413
 Location:  I-195
 Reporting Officer:  Sergeant Scott Kivet
  
 Accused:              Margareet Keeley Age 52
 Trenton, NJ
 Charged:              Possession of Marijuana
                                 CDS in a Motor Vehicle
  
 Charged and released pending Court. 
  
 8.       DWI
 Date:  February 13, 2021
 Time:  0204
 Location:  Hutchinson Road
 Reporting Officer:  Patrolman Ryan Meehan
  
 Accused:              Peter Glazewski Age 21
                                 Mercerville, NJ
 Charged:              Driving While Intoxicated
                                 Open Container of Alcohol
                                 Reckless Driving
                                 Careless Driving
                                 Speeding
  
 Charged and released pending Court.

 9.       DWI
 February 18, 2021 
 Time:
 Location:
 Reporting Officer:  Patrolman Michael Slininger
  
 Accused:              Daniel McSpedon Age 24
                                 Burlington, NJ
 Charged:              Driving While Intoxicated
                                 Careless  Driving 
                                 CDS in a Motor Vehicle
                                 Reckless Driving 
                                 Failure to Maintain Lane
                                 Speeding
  
 Charged and released pending Court. 
  
 10.   Narcotics
 Date:  February 20, 2021
 Time:  0055
 Location:  Route # 130
 Reporting Officer:  Patrolman David Fegler
  
 Accused:              Devon Barkley Age 30
                                 Willingboro, NJ
 Charged:              Possession of Hashish
                                 Possession of Narcotics with Intent to Distribute
                                                 Possession of Drug Paraphernalia 
                                                 CDS in a Motor Vehicle
                                                 Suspended Driver
  
 Charged and released pending Court. 
  
 11.   Narcotics
 Date:  February 27, 2021
 Time:  2336
 Location:  Walden Circle
 Reporting Officer:  Patrolman Ryan Meehan
  
 Accused:              Mario Flores Age 30                        
                                 Plainsboro, NJ
 Charged:              Possession of Heroin
                                 Possession of Cocaine
                                 CDS in a Motor Vehicle
                                 Speeding
  
 Charged and released pending Court.

 All accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a Court of law.