TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–The State of New Jersey Division of Parks & Forestry, State Park Service has released a map earlier today showing that fall foliage conditions are mid-point, near peak or peak conditions in the Mid-New Jersey area. With the storm tonight, with heavy winds and rains predicted, areas in the northern part of the state will be pushed past peak. Hopefully the center part of the state holds onto the leaves since most trees are just turning their fall colors. If you want to see peak conditions this weekend most likely you won’t have to drive far.
Photos from High Point State Park, Sussex County, Montauge, NJ October 25, 2021
Sparta Mountain Wildlife Management Area off Munsunhurst Road RT 517, Hardyston, NJ, near Beaver Lake Mountain Park October 26, 2021
Speedwell Dam, Morristown, NJ October 26, 2021
Paulinskill Viaduct, Knowlton Township, NJ, October 27, 2021
The Red Mill, Clinton, NJ October 27, 2021
Lake Solitude and Waterfall, Highbridge, NJ October 27, 2021
Voorhees State Park, Lebanon Township, NJ, October 27, 2021
Wawayanda State Park, Vernon Township, NJ October 28, 2021
FREEHOLD NJ (MONMOUTH)–Following a successful gun buyback held in Asbury Park last weekend, a second such event will be held next month, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey announced Friday.
The second gun buyback in as many months is scheduled to take place from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 20 at the Bethel AME Church on Waterworks Road in Freehold Township.
The event is being sponsored by the Prosecutor’s Office, the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, under the leadership of Sheriff Shaun Golden; the Freehold Borough Police Department, under the leadership of Chief Craig W. Dispenza; the Freehold Township Police Department, under the leadership of Chief George K. Baumann; and the Bethel AME Church, under the leadership of the Rev. Ronald L. Sparks.
The payment schedule for the Freehold gun buyback will differ slightly from that of the event in Asbury Park; assault weapons will be collected in exchange for $250 in cash, handguns for $100 apiece, and shotguns and rifles for $25 apiece. There will be no cash compensation for ammunition, replica guns, or BB and pellet guns. All weapons must be transported to the gun buyback safely, unloaded, in a secured box or carry case, or with a trigger lock.
As with the Asbury Park event, the gun buyback will be strictly anonymous, with no questions asked of those surrendering firearms. There will also again be no limit on the number of firearms that can be turned in per person.
Today’s announcement comes on the heels of a New Jersey Office of the Attorney General press conference hosted yesterday at the National Guard Armory in Lawrenceville, where Acting Attorney General Andrew J. Bruck announced that nearly 3,000 firearms were turned in by residents at state- and locally sponsored gun buyback events held across the state on Saturday, October 23 at 10 locations, including Asbury Park.
A total of 360 firearms, including 159 handguns, 133 rifles and shotguns, and three assault weapons were surrendered over the course of about eight hours in Asbury Park.
“We couldn’t be prouder of our results in Monmouth County, where more firearms were collected at a single site during a gun buyback event than at any point in more than eight years,” Acting Monmouth County First Assistant Prosecutor Michael Wojciechowski said. “Those results illustrated obvious and robust interest in the availability of such programs, and we are pleased to offer yet another chance, on the other side of the county, for individuals to safely and anonymously rid themselves of unwanted firearms in exchange for cash.”
The two gun buyback events in Asbury Park and Freehold marked Monmouth County’s first such events since 2017.
Monmouth County (Asbury Park) Acting County Prosecutor Lori Linskey Total weapons: 360 Assault weapons: 3 Rifles/shotguns: 133 Handguns: 159
Acting AG Bruck and 9 County Prosecutors: New Jersey’s Largest Ever Single-Day Gun Buyback Yields Nearly 3,000 Firearms
Speaking at a press conference yesterday October 28, 2021 at the National Guard Armory in Lawrenceville, Acting Attorney General Andrew J. Bruck announced that nearly three thousand firearms were turned in by residents at state-and locally-sponsored gun buyback events that were held on Saturday, October 23 at ten locations in partnership with Bergen, Camden, Cumberland, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Salem, Somerset, and Union Counties.
Acting AG Bruck made the announcement with county prosecutors and law enforcement leaders from participating locations. The “Guns for Cash” events in Englewood, Camden, Bridgeton, Trenton, Somerset, Asbury Park, Carneys Point, Elizabeth, Plainfield, and Westfield yielded 2,806 firearms.
Acting AG Bruck noted that the weapons collected at the ten locations included 1,196 handguns, 1,206 rifles/shotguns, and 29 assault weapons. A breakdown of the firearms collected by county is as follows:
Bergen County (Englewood) County Prosecutor Mark Musella Total weapons: 248 Assault weapons: 1 Rifles/shotguns: 95 Handguns: 119
Camden County (Camden City) Acting County Prosecutor Jill S. Mayer Total weapons: 249 Assault weapons: 2 Rifles/shotguns: 101 Handguns: 120
Cumberland County (Bridgeton) County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McCrae Total weapons: 391 Assault weapons: 10 Rifles/shotguns: 142 Handguns: 168
Mercer County (Trenton) County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri Total weapons: 194 Assault weapons: 2 Rifles/shotguns: 102 Handguns: 58
Middlesex/Somerset Counties (Somerset) County Prosecutors Yolanda Ciccone & Michael H. Robertson Total weapons: 621 Assault weapons: 2 Rifles/shotguns: 274 Handguns: 239
Monmouth County (Asbury Park) Acting County Prosecutor Lori Linskey Total weapons: 360 Assault weapons: 3 Rifles/shotguns: 133 Handguns: 159
Salem County (Carneys Point) Acting County Prosecutor Kristin J. Telsey Total weapons: 223 Assault weapons: 3 Rifles/shotguns: 92 Handguns: 86
Union County (Elizabeth, Plainfield, Westfield) County Prosecutor William A. Daniel Total weapons: 520 Assault weapons: 6 Rifles/shotguns: 267 Handguns: 247
New Jersey residents were invited to turn in up to three firearms of any type “no questions asked,” and could earn a maximum of $750. Under standardized pricing set for the buybacks, gun owners were paid $25 for inoperable firearms and BB/pellet guns, $125 for rifles and shotguns, $200 for handguns, and $250 for assault weapons. The buybacks were funded predominantly by forfeiture dollars obtained by the local police departments and County Prosecutors’ Offices, as well as forfeiture funds from the Division of Criminal Justice.
Each of the gun buybacks represented a collaboration between law enforcement and community stakeholders, who promoted and assisted with the events. The nearly three thousand guns collected at the buybacks were rendered inoperable by local police who staffed each event, and will be melted down.
“Every single gun recovered represents a potential life saved,” said Acting Attorney General Bruck. “Our gun buyback events are a great example of what can be accomplished when law enforcement agencies work together with the communities they serve.”
“We are committed to doing everything in our power to reduce gun violence in New Jersey,” said Lyndsay V. Ruotolo, Director of the Division of Criminal Justice. “We saw an outpouring of support from community members and leaders this past Saturday, and the latest results are proof positive that the gun buyback is a successful way for us to actively, collaboratively, and successfully participate in a united violence reduction effort.”
Statements of support from local leaders:
“Like so many public safety efforts, reducing gun violence requires a variety of strategies. In addition to our traditional and core law enforcement functions, we know that reducing the availability of guns, community engagement, and tackling addiction and poverty are just some of the ways we can make an impact,” said Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella. “Thank you, Acting Attorney General Bruck, for inviting the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and our local partners in the Englewood Police Department and Bergen County Sheriff’s Office to participate in the gun amnesty program.”
“The CCPO is proud to have been a part of this statewide initiative that resulted in thousands of guns being collected,” said Acting Camden County Prosecutor Jill S. Mayer. “Those guns will never make it to the streets or fall into the hands of a child because of the outstanding team effort, spearheaded by Acting Attorney General Bruck, and his vision for a safer New Jersey. This gun buy back was just one chapter in our mission to reduce gun violence in our county and state.”
“We are pleased with the results of the Gun Buy Back in Cumberland County,” said Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae. “391 firearms were collected and will not fall into the wrong hands as a result of this program. We see this as one piece of an ongoing initiative to promote gun safety and eradicate gun violence in our community. I would like to thank the Cumberland County Chiefs and Sheriff for their support in making this very important program a success.”
“Mercer County is proud to have played a part in such a successful collaboration,” said Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri. “To see such a turnout from our citizens and community leaders was so encouraging and demonstrates people really want to make a difference. Mercer County pledges to continue to put the work in every day to combat gun violence and remove illegal guns from our neighborhoods.”
“The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office is proud to have shepherded this important endeavor undertaken by Middlesex and Somerset law enforcement and made possible by the First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens,” said Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone. “With nearly 3,000 firearms safely recovered from across our State, these are weapons that can never find their way into the hands of those who would do harm to our communities.”
“We couldn’t be prouder of our results in Monmouth County, where more firearms were collected at a single site during a gun buyback event than at any point in more than eight years,” Acting Monmouth County First Assistant Prosecutor Michael Wojciechowski said. “Gun violence being a monumentally daunting public-safety concern, it is so deeply encouraging to consider that none of the 360 weapons turned in last weekend will ever be used to harm anyone. On behalf of Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey, we extend our sincere thanks to our trusted partners with the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, Board of Monmouth County Commissioners, Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, and Asbury Park Police Department for their assistance, and in particular to the Second Baptist Church of Asbury Park and Pastor Semaj Vanzant Sr. for their hospitality.”
“This program was a tremendous success for Salem County, allowing us to collect five times as many guns as at prior events,” said ActingSalem County Prosecutor Kristin J. Telsey. “Every gun collected represents the possibility that a life has been saved by removing the potential for a tragic accident or an act of violence as a result of that firearm. While these programs alone will not end gun violence, the removal of 223 guns from Salem County alone does make a real difference. Thank you to all of our partnering agencies and to every person who came out to make this effort such a success.”
“We welcome the opportunity to participate in the gun buyback program with our law enforcement partners throughout the State,” said Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson. “Reducing the amount of firearms that could potentially cause violence in our communities is a top priority for all of us and we will continue to participate in initiatives that make our neighborhoods safer.”
“I am pleased to share that Saturday’s gun buyback event in Union County netted a total of more than 520 unwanted firearms,” said Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel. “Through our partnerships with the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, Union County Board of County Commissioners, Union County Sheriff’s Office, Union County, Elizabeth, Plainfield, and Westfield police departments, local houses of worship, and with the enthusiastic participation of community members, countless acts of gun violence and unanticipated tragedy have been prevented.”
In New Jersey, Governor Phil Murphy and Acting AG Bruck are leading a comprehensive, statewide effort to reduce gun deaths, which pairs the latest evidence-based policing strategies with innovative, community-based prevention programs. The three-pronged approach to tackling this public health crisis includes addressing the root causes of violence; keeping guns away from those most likely to harm others; and taking swift action against those who break the law.
Residents with questions about the buyback effort can call the Attorney General’s Office of Constituent Services at (609) 984-5828 or visit www.njoag.gov/gunbuyback/.
In conclusion, while it is true that a police response is not warranted to address the everyday misconduct perpetrated by juveniles and other societal issues, a response to the conduct engaged in by the youth in this case was necessary and should have taken place. Accordingly, the actions of the Perth Amboy Police Department were justified under the circumstances presented. The officers would have been in dereliction of their duties if they had acted otherwise.
October 29, 2021
PERTH AMBOY, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–As part of any county prosecutor’s supervisory authority over all law enforcement activity in the county, he or she from time to time is called on to review the actions of local law enforcement officials and the exercise of their duties. In this case, the Governor and the Office of the Attorney General requested that Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone review the conduct of the Perth Amboy Police Department as it related to the arrest of one youth and the seizure of bicycles resulting from community complaints that the juveniles were riding bicycles in an unsafe manner within the City of Perth Amboy on April 17, 2021.
In response, the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office thoroughly reviewed all information relating to this incident, including video footage, community complaints, police reports and officer interviews. The Prosecutor concludes the members of the Perth Amboy Police Department acted within their lawful authority by stopping the youths on bicycles because they were engaging in dangerous conduct that created a risk of injury to motorists, pedestrians, and the youths themselves. The community caretaking role of the police extends to protecting the welfare of children in the community. Indeed, that responsibility is a reflection of the State’s general parens patriae duty to safeguard children from harm. In this case, members of the Perth Amboy law enforcement community were duty-bound to act immediately to prevent harm to the youths involved as well as members of the community. There is no indication or suggestion that the incident was racially motivated or that State law or local ordinances were selectively enforced in a discriminatory fashion. Moreover, there is no indication or suggestion the police used excessive force in addressing the situation. The officers’ actions were, at all times, within their lawful authority, comported with the enforcement of local ordinances, and in compliance with established police procedures.
Moreover, the investigation did not reveal any evidence that any of the youths involved were unaware of the local ordinance at issue. In fact, the videos reviewed depicted a recurring pattern of reckless behavior on bicycles Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office 25 Kirkpatrick Street, 3rd Floor, New Brunswick, New Jersey, 08901 (732) 745-3300 News Release Date: October 29, 2021 and evasive interaction with law enforcement attempting to enforce the law. Furthermore, the law enforcement officers involved used great restraint by not issuing summonses for violations of state law and/or any local ordinance on the day in question.
Since June 2020, members of the Perth Amboy Police Department had been dispatched to thirty-three calls for service directed at groups of juveniles riding their bicycles in an unsafe manner on the city streets. The first of these calls came in on June 6, 2020, and the most recent call was on April 20, 2021. On fourteen occasions when officers responded, the group of riders could not be located and were gone upon arrival. In another thirteen incidents, the officers located a group of bicyclists and appropriately warned them. The other six incidents resulted in escalated police action in response to the bicyclists’ conduct.
On April 17, 2021, yet another call was received at approximately 2:25 P.M. Upon responding to the call, a police officer employed by the City of Perth Amboy took a juvenile into custody for a petty disorderly persons offense after being warned by officers to discontinue the unsafe operation of their bicycles and disregarded those previous warnings. The officers had been dispatched to the area after a woman called to report “a whole gang of boys riding bicycles by the hospital and they’re taking up the whole street.” She continued to state “there must be fifty of them and they’re riding bicycles in the middle of the street and they’re backing up all of New Brunswick Ave., a business thoroughfare. They’re not letting cars pass.” Pursuant to the interviews conducted, it was determined the officers had previously dealt with the same group of juveniles earlier in the day. Previously, officers ultimately came upon the group of about thirty youths on their bicycles in the area of Pulaski and State Streets. Those officers warned the group about their unsafe conduct and that they were blocking both lanes of traffic on State Street, from outer State Street all the way to Hall Avenue. Officers were able to make contact with the same group of riders, right before the entrance to Harbortown Complex and they were advised that they needed to stop blocking traffic and ride safely on the street.
Prior to the arrest of the juvenile on April 17, 2021, there were four calls for service, regarding groups of juveniles riding bicycles in the middle of the street swerving in and out of traffic and creating a hazardous condition. The police department responded to these calls for service and contacted the bicyclists who were warned of the dangers associated with riding their bicycles in such a hazardous and risky manner. They were also warned of the consequences of continuing to operate their bicycles in a similar fashion. The warnings were issued by law enforcement officers in order to prevent anyone from getting hurt or an automobile accident from occurring. The juveniles disregarded the warnings, their reckless behavior continued, and their conduct did not ease.
The police response on the day in question was the culmination of an effort by members of law enforcement to deescalate the situation and issue verbal warnings to the youth involved. Those efforts were unsuccessful, and, without viable alternatives, a decision was made to enforce the city ordinance to ensure the safety of the juvenile bicyclists and the citizens of the City of Perth Amboy.
On April 21, 2021, subsequent to the arrest of the single juvenile and the seizing of several bicycles, a parent of one of the bicyclists came to Perth Amboy Police Headquarters to speak with the supervising sergeant. That parent arrived along with their child who was part of the group of bicyclists, to extend their apologies and express their gratitude to the Sergeant involved. The juvenile expressed to law enforcement that he and his friends were wrong and that the Sergeant was doing her job.
On May 5, 2021, the parent of the juvenile who was taken into custody was interviewed. The juvenile’s parent was happy that the situation did not escalate and indicated that the police took the bicycles as a result of her child’s actions. That same parent indicated that she has instructed her son to learn from the situation. Moreover, it should be noted the complaint signed against her child was diverted from the system and was the subject of a Station House Adjustment (SHA), a diversion program which results in the complaint being dismissed upon successful completion.
During the investigation, it was determined the members of the Perth Amboy Police Department are aware of and endeavor to comply with the provisions of the Attorney General’s Juvenile Justice Reform Directive No. 2020-12. It was further determined the Perth Amboy Police Department attempts to handle every juvenile matter in a professional and thoughtful fashion.
To support these assertions, the Perth Amboy Police Department touts its record of diverting ninety-five juveniles from the Family Court system in 2019 and entering them into the City’s Station House Adjustment Program. Of the ninety-five participants, fifty participated in their enhanced SHA Program which mandates attendance at counseling sessions. Furthermore, of the ninety-five participants, eighty-two were Hispanic, twelve were African American and one was Caucasian. In 2020, due to the pandemic, the police department was only able to divert twenty-one juveniles, seventeen were Hispanic and four were African American. Of the twenty-one participants, eighteen attended their enhanced SHA Program. Currently, in 2021, the Perth Amboy Police Department diverted eleven juveniles, ten were Hispanic and one was Asian/Pacific Islander.
Prior to concluding, Prosecutor Ciccone wanted to commend Acting Chief Lawrence Cattano as well as the women and men of his department for sponsoring a “Family Bike Day by the Bay,” on October 16, 2021. The event was well attended and addressed bike safety issues with the City’s youth. In conclusion, while it is true that a police response is not warranted to address the everyday misconduct perpetrated by juveniles and other societal issues, a response to the conduct engaged in by the youth in this case was necessary and should have taken place. Accordingly, the actions of the Perth Amboy Police Department were justified under the circumstances presented. The officers would have been in dereliction of their duties if they had acted otherwise.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–October 29, 2021 Max Spann Real Estate & Auction Co is pleased to announce the auction of 90+ properties throughout the City of Trenton, New Jersey. The city-owned properties, including residences, mixed-use properties, commercial lots, and several large redevelopment sites, will be sold in online auctions on Tuesday, December 7th and Wednesday, December 8th. Bidders may bid on their computer or through the Max Spann phone app.
Some highlights of the sale are the former Cook School on Cuyler Avenue. The school is in disrepair and ready for a redeveloper to bring the property back to life. 320 Spring Street is a grand former house, most recently used as a rooming house, and prime for redevelopment for a myriad of residential uses. Directly adjacent is the former Prospect Street Presbyterian Church, built in 1875. Black Jack Lounge, a former prominent social club for professionals, elected officials and prime for redevelopment. The previous owner Mr. Alvin Bowen (Black Jack) was one of the originators of the Trenton Jazz Festival.
Trenton, a city on the rise, is located in the center of New Jersey on the Delaware River, directly between Philadelphia and New York City. Trenton is the State and County Capital of New Jersey and offers history, culture, entertainment, sports, industry, arts, and education. National and local economic incentive programs are available to help buyers invest in the Capital City.
“Successful auctions are key to our redevelopment efforts, especially when they get promising properties into the hands of tax-paying residents who can renovate them for the benefit of the surrounding community,” said Mayor W. Reed Gusciora. “We attracted unprecedented interest in Capital City properties last year, so we’re offering an even greater variety to choose from for this year’s auction.”
Property Previews for the Five-Year Owner-Occupied Restricted properties and select Redevelopment properties will take place on November 2nd, 3rd, 9th, and 10th. Visit www.maxspann.com for the List of Properties and specific preview dates and times. The Online Auctions for the Redevelopment Sites and Vacant Lots will conclude on Tuesday, December 7, 2021. Online Auctions for the Residential and Five-Year Owner-Occupied Restricted properties will conclude on Wednesday, December 8, 2021. Sign up for the Property Information Package today at www.maxspann.com, which includes additional property details and online bidding instructions.
“The auction list has something for everyone, vacant lots for builders, large projects for redevelopers, rehab houses for small-business people, and restricted houses for future homeowners,” said Bob Dann, Executive Vice President and COO for Max Spann Real Estate & Auction Co. “Great things are happening in Trenton, now is the time to invest in the Capital City.”
Max Spann Real Estate & Auction Company has helped over 120 New Jersey Municipalities put their properties back on the tax rolls, reduce expenses and revitalize vacant and abandon structures that are no longer needed for public use.
Max Spann Real Estate and Auction Company is America’s premier real estate auction and advisory company and has been an industry leader in accelerated marketing for more than 50 years. The company’s Accelerated Auction Marketing Program creates urgency in the marketplace and allows sellers to control the terms and the timing of the sale of their real estate assets. Learn more at www.maxspann.com.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Mayor W. Reed Gusciora today announced that he is expanding public input in his strategic demolition plan by creating a more streamlined portal that Trenton residents can use to report dangerous neglected properties directly to City officials.
Trenton recently launched https://trentondemolition.com/, which outlines recently completed demolitions, current projects, and sites under review. A new reporting tool can be found at the bottom-right of that page or accessed directly athttps://www.trentonnj.org/reportneglect.
Users can now report crumbling roofs, squatters, illegal activity, fire hazards, vermin, or other conditions that make a neglected property dangerous to nearby homeowners, children, and pedestrians. The properties will then be evaluated by inspectors from Trenton’s Department of Housing and Economic Development (HED) for consideration in upcoming rehabilitation, demolition, or redevelopment efforts.
Demolitions for more than 20 properties on Fountain Ave, Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Wilson St, North Clinton Ave, Frazier St, and Stuyvesant Ave. So far, the six properties on Fountain Ave have been taken down.
The City is also finalizing a contract for a project that was just greenlit by City Council and will remediate an entire block of eight hazardous properties on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd between Miller St. and Chadwick St.
Trenton also has active bids out for 11 imminent hazards all over the city, most of which were reported directly by Trenton residents.
There are also active bids for a cluster of 29 properties between 6 and 54 Sanford Street that have been a notorious center of urban blight in Trenton for years.
Successful bids for the last two items would still need to go before City Council for final approval.
“Taking down abandoned properties isn’t just a redevelopment issue: it’s key to our long-term public safety strategy,” said Mayor Gusciora. “They can cause fires, injure pedestrians with falling debris, and provide havens for dangerous criminal activity. This new reporting tool will help residents ensure that this issue gets the urgent attention it demands.”
The Department of Economic Development (HED) uses two parallel tracks for demolitions: imminent hazards and long-term strategic demolitions of city-owned properties. Imminent hazards are evaluated and taken down on a case-to-case basis according to their immediate threat to nearby residents and property. Strategic demolitions are targeted based on several factors:
Proximity to attractive development areas
History of complaints from residents, subcode officials, and first responders
Cost effectiveness due to ability to be bundled with adjacent or nearby properties of similar condition
Location within ‘hot zones’ of historically high abandonment
“We’ve talked with community groups, prospective developers and city planners – they all agree: a vacant lot is much more attractive than a hopeless abandoned structure when it comes to redevelopment,” said HED Director C. Andre Daniels. “By maximizing our resources and focusing on large clusters of blight, we can help bring new jobs and opportunities to where they are needed the most. And community input is critical if we want those efforts to succeed well into the future.”
Today’s Court Ruling Gives Gusciora Administration, City Council More Time to Evaluate Alternative Solutions
October 29, 2021
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–The City of Trenton and its radio service provider, MPS Communications, have consented to an injunction halting shutoff off the city’s radio system until Dec. 31, 2021, Mayor W. Reed Gusciora announced today.
N.J. Superior Court Judge Robert T. Lougy granted the order following a status conference earlier this afternoon. The ruling follows a City of Trenton complaint filed yesterday morning to halt the shutdown, warning of grave public safety risks should the system be terminated with no alternative plan in place.
Trenton was on a trajectory to have its entire radio system shut off by the end of the month. MPS said that it would shut off service on Oct. 31, 2021, after City Council indefinitely tabled a resolution to pay MPS for services rendered.
A shutdown would cripple the ability of police, fire, water utility and other essential personnel to dispatch emergency communications to responders in the field or talk with one another during an active crisis.
“When it comes to this issue, everyday counts, and this order provides critical time for my Administration and City Council to continue working together on a long-term solution,” said Mayor Gusciora. “While the Halloween deadline has been avoided for now, we still need to use every resource at our disposal to ensure that communication issues do not prevent our first responders from doing their job in a city where crime is the number one concern.”
Keeping the MPS system running was always a temporary fix. The Gusciora Administration has proposed allocating American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds to replace the police department radio equipment and 911 dispatch center so it’s compatible with the Mercer County radio system, which Trenton can use at no additional cost. A President Biden administration memo in July 2021 encouraged police technology investments using ARP funds, of which Trenton will receive $73 million.
UPDATE ON FRIDAY’S DOUBLE HOMICIDE ON CLEVELAND AVENUE: The victims of yesterday’s double homicide in Trenton have been identified as Edwin Obdulio Gomez Interiano, 41, of Trenton, and Everth Barrera, 56, of Ewing. There are no additional updates in that investigation.
Update from the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office:
Double Homicide in Trenton Under Investigation
TENTON, NJ (MERCER)– The Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Trenton Police Department are investigating a double homicide that occurred Friday morning in Trenton, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri reported.
At approximately 9:30 a.m. on October 29, 2021, Trenton police received a Shot Spotter activation for multiple rounds in the first block of Cleveland Avenue. Upon arrival, officers located two adult male shooting victims. One was pronounced dead at the scene, the other was transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective John Menafra of the Mercer County Homicide Task Force at (609) 989-6406. Information can also be emailed to mchtftips@mercercounty.org
This morning’s breaking news report here:
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–This morning shots rang at approximately 9:30 a.m. killing two people near Wilmar Alley and McAvoy Alley between Cleveland and Garfield Avenues.
Witnesses at the scene told MidJersey.news that one of the victims was an older gentleman and “That man never bothered nobody.”
Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that there were two victims of a shooting this morning. The Trenton Police Department as well at the Mercer County Homicide Task Force are on scene investigating.
There have been a total 31 homicides counted for 2021 and of those 30 have been from crimes committed in 2021. Full list is below:
Photos and video by: Brian McCarthy OnScene News
Photos and video by: Brian McCarthy OnScene News
Names of 2021* homicide victims:
2/18/2021 Jabree Saunders, 26, from shooting on May 14, 2018
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–As permit seasons begin, and out of state hunting trips are planned, hunters are reminded of New Jersey’s Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Whole Deer Carcass Ban and the Deer-Derived Scent and Lure Ban.
Whole Deer Carcass Ban
Hunters are banned from bringing a whole carcass from any member of the Cervid family (including but not limited to white-tailed deer, black-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, moose, wapiti, caribou, reindeer, roe deer, red deer, sika deer) into New Jersey from ANY other state or country.
Hunters are banned from bringing a non-taxidermied head of any member of the Cervid family harvested into New Jersey from ANY other state or country.
ONLY completely boned-out meat (meat with all bones removed), cleaned skullcaps and hides, shed antlers, and clean upper canine teeth of any member of the Cervid family may be brought into New Jersey.
Deer-Derived Scent and Lure Ban
Lures and scents made from any member of the Cervid family are banned for sale, possession, and use while hunting in New Jersey, including deer urine and deer glandular secretions, as infectious prions that cause CWD can be found in these fluids.
ONLY synthetic scents or natural lures made from species not in the deer family are legal for deer hunting in New Jersey.
Many synthetic products are readily available at sporting goods stores and online retailers. Hunters must use these products as part of New Jersey’s effort to keep CWD out of the state.
One of the most important ways of slowing the spread of CWD is early detection. The Division of Fish and Wildlife tests hunter-harvested deer every year, along with symptomatic wild or captive deer. Please report deer that appear sick, weak, or starving to Dr. Nicole Lewis, Wildlife Veterinarian at (908) 735-6398 or nicole.lewis@dep.nj.gov
FREEHOLD, NJ (MONMOUTH) – A Monmouth County Grand Jury has returned an eight-count indictment against three defendants charged in connection with a botched robbery that resulted in a shooting earlier this year, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey announced Friday.
Kingphess Gomez, 21, of Woodbury, 21-year-old Thaddeus West Jr., and 27-year-old Suncere Smith, 27, both of Neptune City, are all charged with first-degree Armed Robbery, first-degree Conspiracy, first-degree Attempted Murder, second-degree Certain Persons Not to Possess a Firearm, and other related second-degree weapons offenses.
Moments before 1:30 a.m. on Friday, January 22, 2021, a ShotSpotter notification indicated multiple shots fired on the 300 block of Fisher Avenue in Neptune City, and minutes later, members of the Wall Township Police Department stopped a vehicle and discovered the 19-year-old shooting victim in the front passenger seat. The victim was then rushed to Jersey Shore University Medical Center for emergency treatment.
A joint investigation by detectives in the Prosecutor’s Office’s Major Crimes Bureau and the Neptune Township Police Department led to the discovery that the three co-defendants lured the victim to the area in a conspiracy to rob him at gunpoint before the shooting incident ultimately occurred. With the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Regional Task Force, the defendants were arrested on these charges in August.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Caitlin Sidley of the Prosecutor’s Office’s Major Crimes Bureau.
Gomez is being represented by Robin Kay Lord, Esq., with an office in Trenton; West is represented by Courtney Schneider, Esq., based in Freehold Borough; and Smith is represented by Glenn D. Kassman, Esq., based in Tinton Falls.
All three defendants remain incarcerated pending the adjudication of the cases against them.
If convicted of Attempted Murder or Armed Robbery, the defendants will face a maximum sentence of 20 years in a New Jersey state prison, subject to the provisions of the No Early Release Act (NERA), requiring them to serve 85 percent of the sentence imposed before becoming eligible for release on parole. They would also be under parole supervision for five years following release from state prison.
If convicted of Certain Persons Not to Possess Firearms, the defendants will face sentences of five to 10 years in a New Jersey state prison, with mandatory periods of five years of parole ineligibility. If convicted of the other second-degree firearm offenses, defendants will face sentences of five to 10 years in prison, subject to the Graves Act, which requires a mandatory period of parole ineligibility of half of the custodial sentence imposed, or 42 months, whichever is greater.
Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.
MidJersey.News 
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