TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–This afternoon, Governor Phil Murphy toured the new “Real Time Crime Center” that’s a partnership between Trenton Police Department and the New Jersey State Police.
There has been much talk over the past year from politicians claiming the center will help reduce Trenton’s crime and homicide problem with gun shot detection and hotspot surveillance.
In a June 5, 2020 City of Trenton Press Release $4.5 million was used to establish a real-time crime, technology and intelligence center, a partnership between the Trenton Police Department and the New Jersey State Police to assist the Trenton PD in executing its public-safety strategy, including gunfire detection, video surveillance, and crime-intelligence gathering.
EAST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–Mayor Janice S. Mironov proclaimed National Volunteer Week and recognized longtime East Windsor resident Ronald Balint, Chairperson of the Township Environmental Commission and Chairperson of the East Windsor Green Team for his outstanding service and accomplishments. Mayor Mironov noted, “Each year in East Windsor Township we observe National Volunteer Week as we are very blessed to have a great number of citizens who volunteer their time, skills and talents to participate in our government, and during this time we recognize an individual or group who embodies the spirit of volunteerism and have particularly contributed to the programs and activities in the Township.”
Mayor Mironov recognized Ronald Balint and his numerous contributions to the Township, as a volunteer Member since 2000 and Chairperson of the Environmental Commission and as Chairperson the East Windsor Green Team, since 2011. Mayor Mironov’s Proclamation states, “as Chairperson of the Environmental Commission, Ronald Balint has been a dedicated and valuable caring leader for the local environment, and has contributed to numerous Township initiatives and events, including initiating and executing the Etra Park Arboretum project, organizing and carrying out the annual Arbor Day Tree Tubeling Giveaway, and maintaining the Township Community Forestry Management Plan. Ronald Balint, as Chairperson of the Green Team, conscientiously and actively oversees and coordinates all application details of the Township Sustainable Jersey action items and certification submissions, and as a result of his effective organizational skills and tireless efforts, East Windsor earned Bronze Level Certification in 2012, and Silver Level Certification in 2015 and 2018, and in the process of finalizing the 2021 filing to renew the Township Silver Level Certification — a prestigious achievement that reflects Ronald’s hard work, dependability, resourcefulness, and commitment to sustainability.”
Mayor Mironov stated, “Ronald Balint truly is an exceptional asset to East Windsor and our entire community due to his tenacity, tireless work ethic, and unwavering commitment to the enviromment. He is highly regarded by Township elected officials and staff as an outstanding and dedicated volunteer, and we are extremely thankful to Ronald for all of the time and energy he has selflessly dedicated to East Windsor.”
Council Member John Zoller, who serves as Council liaison to the Environmental Commission, also thanked Ron Balint for his extraordinary efforts, stating, “Ron has always done a good job moving the Township forward toward achieving our goals, and it is our honor to recognize him.”
At a ceremony in May 2019, 2021 Volunteer Honoree Ronald Balint, Chairperson of the Township Environmental Commission and the East Windsor Green Team, accompanied Mayor Janice S. Mironov to accept the Sustainable Jersey $10,000 Grant awarded to the Township for development and upgrade of the Arboretum in Etra Lake Park. Pictured (from left to right) are: Randall Solomon, Executive Director, Sustainable Jersey; Rick Thigpen, Senior Vice President Corporate Citizenship PSEG and Chairman of the PSEG Foundation; Mayor Janice S. Mironov; Ronald Balint, Chairperson, East Windsor Environmental Commission and East Windsor Green Team, and Anne-Marie Peracchio, Chairperson, Sustainable Jersey Board of Trustees —Township Provided File Photo prior to COVID-19
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–The Nottingham/West combined lacrosse team played at Steinert this afternoon. Steinert won the game and will add the official score when available.
MILLSTONE TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–Around 2:47 p.m. the Millstone Township Fire Department was dispatched to 500 Route 33 West Bound for a roof fire with initial reports of workers trapped on the roof. Additional mutual aid was requested from Monroe Township, Manalapan, Freehold Township #1, and Englishtown. Hightstown Fire Company was requested as a RIT team. Upon arrival firefighters found a fire on the roof and workers trying to extinguish the fire using garden hoses and fire extinguishers, no workers were trapped on the roof. The building was laddered and the fire was extinguished.
It appears the fire started when workers set the roof on fire using propane torches on a roof replacement project. The Millstone Township Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the fire. The Millstone Township Construction Office was also notified and will respond. There were reports of workers working without a fire or construction permit for a torch-down roof repair-replacement.
No additional information is available at this time.
BELMAR, NJ (MONMOUTH)–Yesterday Governor Phil Murphy promoted “Shot and a Beer” program where people in NJ who show their vaccination card showing their first vaccination in May would be eligible for a free beer at participating breweries. Today Governor Phil Murphy is promoting D’Jais Belmar “Summer 2021, It’s Just A Shot Away!” event on May 12, 2021 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Attendees who are 21+ and getting vaccinated a D’Jais Belmar are also eligible for a free Sumer 2021 D’Jais VIP Card. The event is held in partnership with Ocean Health Initiatives, Inc. (OHI) and you can preregister at the link below:
Summer 2021 It’s Just a Shot away! Pfizer Vaccination Event Wednesday May 12, 2021 9am-3pm 1801 Ocean Ave, Belmar, NJ 07719To Pre-Register visit my-ohi.org/djais All attendees 21+ will receive a Summer 2021 D’Jais VIP Card. More Giveaways TBA Walk Ups are also available. First Come First Served. ALL New Jerseyans age 16+ are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine
From D’Jais Official YouTube Channel of summer’s past pre-pandemic
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Yesterday, Governor Phil Murphy announced his nomination of Colonel Dr. Lisa Hou as Adjutant General and Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMAVA). Colonel Hou, who has served in the position since October 2020 in an interim capacity, will be the first Asian American and first female Adjutant General in the state’s history.
“Colonel Hou took the reins of the New Jersey National Guard and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs in the midst of this once-in-a-lifetime pandemic,” said Governor Murphy. “Since day one, she has demonstrated that she is the right person for the job, from overseeing the deployment of our National Guard to our vaccination sites, to taking immediate action to keep our veterans safe, to sending National Guard members to our nation’s capital to defend our democracy. I know that Colonel Hou will bring the same dedication to this job as she has exhibited throughout her entire career, including her tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.”
“I am grateful to Governor Murphy for selecting me to head this department which has proven vital to the citizens of New Jersey during this pandemic,” said Acting Adjutant General and Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Colonel Dr. Lisa Hou. “With 25 plus years wearing an Army uniform and nearly the same amount of time as a doctor, it feels like I have been training for this job for decades. As a physician and veteran, I’m determined to make New Jersey a better place for veterans, servicemembers, and their families.”
Prior to her current role, Colonel Hou served as the Deputy Adjutant General and Assistant Commissioner for Operations at DMAVA. In that role, she was the principal advisor for military readiness, mobilizations, homeland security, defense support to civil authorities, human resources, logistics, training, and financial management to the Adjutant General. In the New Jersey National Guard, Colonel Hou served as the first Joint Surgeon, coordinating medical efforts with partner agencies during domestic operations, such as the pandemic.
Previously, Dr. Hou served in the dual roles of commander of the Medical Command and the State Surgeon. In those capacities, she was responsible for the medical and dental readiness of more than 6,000 soldiers. Since 2013, Dr. Hou has also served as the Region II representative for the National Guard Bureau (NGB) Medical Advisory Group and, from 2018 to 2020, she served as the Chair of the Army National Guard Credentials Certification and Privileging Preparation Board. In August 2020, she became the Chair of the Army National Guard Medical Advisory Group.
In 2011, Dr. Hou served in Afghanistan as the Field Surgeon for Charlie Company, 700th Brigade Support Battalion, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. She was the sole medical provider on an Afghanistan National Army base and was responsible for providing routine and advanced emergency medical care in the combat theater to more than 600 coalition soldiers, contractors, and foreign nationals.
From 2005 to 2006, she served in Iraq as the Senior Field Surgeon for Echo Company, 50th Main Support Battalion, 42nd Infantry Division, where she performed routine and advanced emergency medical care for coalition soldiers and Iraqi civilians and maintained medical readiness for mass casualty trauma.
Dr. Hou joined the New Jersey National Guard in 1994 while a medical student at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey – School of Osteopathic Medicine in Stratford, NJ. She received her doctoral degree in Osteopathic Medicine in 1996.
She also earned a Masters in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College in 2019. She is currently enrolled in a Masters of Business Administration program at Rutgers School of Business – Camden.
TOMS RIVER, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on May 3, 2021, David Giordano, 36, of Toms River, was charged with Terroristic Threats in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-3a, and False Public Alarm in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:33-3c. These charges are typically crimes of the third degree, but have been elevated to crimes of the second degree because they were committed during a declared State of Emergency.
“On April 12, 2021, three videos were uploaded to a public YouTube Channel entitled ‘Toms River Police are the Best.’ These videos included images of Giordano, news coverage Giordano’s previous arrest in connection with painting a blue line on Hooper Avenue, images of the Ocean County Justice Complex as well as Toms River Township Town Hall – followed by a video of a homemade bulldozer destroying public buildings in Granby, Colorado in 2004. The videos also included graphics stating the person posting the video would turn Toms River Township Town Hall and the Ocean County Justice Complex “upside down.” An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit determined that Giordano produced and posted the videos to the YouTube Channel,” Prosecutor Billhimer stated.
On May 3, 2021, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Toms River Township Police Department, and Berkeley Township Police Department executed court-authorized search warrants on two residences – one in Toms River and the other in Berkeley Township – where Giordano is known to reside. As a result, Detectives recovered and seized several items containing digital evidence. A motor vehicle stop was subsequently performed by Toms River Township Police Officers on a vehicle operated by Giordano. Giordano was arrested and taken into custody without incident. Giordano was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is currently lodged pending a detention hearing.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Toms River Township Police Department, and Berkeley Township Police Department, for their cooperative efforts in connection with this investigation and subsequent arrest of Giordano.
The press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
TOMS RIVER, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on May 1, 2021, Gerardo Ruiz, 50, of Seaside Heights, was charged with Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(1), relative to the death of Alecia Perreault, age 29, of Seaside Heights, that occurred in the early morning hours of May 1, 2021, in Seaside Heights.
On May 1, 2021, at approximately 7:30 a.m., Seaside Heights Police received a telephone call from an individual claiming to have knowledge that Ruiz killed a female at the Offshore Motel in Seaside Heights. The caller further advised that Ruiz was staying at the Surfside Motel in Seaside Heights. Officers responded to a room at the Offshore Motel, where they located the body of Ms. Perreault with apparent wounds to her neck; Ms. Perreault was pronounced deceased at the scene. Officers subsequently responded to Ruiz’s room at the Surfside Motel, and discovered that he had experienced an apparent drug overdose. Ruiz is currently in the protective custody of the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office at a medical facility. Ruiz is currently listed in serious but stable condition.
An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office and Seaside Heights Police Department Detective Bureau determined that Ruiz is the individual responsible for Ms. Perreault’s death. “The Ocean County Medical Examiner has preliminarily determined this to be a homicide but the cause and manner are currently pending further testing,” Prosecutor Billhimer stated.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vitim Witness Advocacy Unit, Seaside Heights Police Department Detective Bureau, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their cooperative assistance in connection with this investigation.
The press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Gerardo Ruiz, 50, of Seaside Heights, was charged with Murder
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