HOWELL TOWNSHIP, NJ–Following the June 30 incident that occurred when a worker fell into a trench and it collapsed on him at a house construction site in Howell, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration is reminding all New Jersey employers to take the necessary steps to protect workers from trench-related fatalities and accidents. The Howell trench was 40 inches x 40 inches, approximately seven-and-a-half-feet-deep, located in the rear of the basement wall of the house.
“A trench can quickly become an early grave if the proper protection is not utilized.” said OSHA Area Director Paula Dixon-Roderick in Marlton, New Jersey. “Friday’s rescue should be a strong reminder for employers to take the proper precautions. OSHAs message to employers is simple: Slope it, Shore it, and Shield it.”
In 2020-2021, OSHA documented 20 deaths and injuries related to trenching and excavation. The leading cause for these fatalities was inadequate cave-in protection. These tragic worker deaths have long-lasting impacts on the workers’ families, co-workers, and communities.
Just 7 days prior there was another trench rescue in Hamilton Township Mercer County:
OSHA offers free app to help calculate worksite heat index, display risks
July 7, 2022
NEW YORK, NY– As temperatures and humidity rise in New Jersey, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration reminds employers and workers not to ignore the dangers of working in hot weather – indoors and out – and remember, “Water. Rest. Shade.” can be the difference between ending the workday safely or suffering serious conditions or worse.
“Our goal is to ensure workers are protected in hot indoor and outdoor environments,” said OSHA Regional Administrator Michael Rivera in Philadelphia. “For the past several years, OSHA’s heat safety campaign has focused intently on raising awareness of the related dangers. A big part of our recent national emphasis program is reaching out to unions, employers, and other organizations in target industries to increase protection for workers most often exposed to heat illness and injuries.”
Encourage workers to drink water every 15 minutes.
Ensure workers take frequent rest breaks in the shade to cool down.
Have an emergency plan ready to respond when a worker shows signs of heat-related illness.
Train workers on the hazards of heat exposure, and how to prevent illness.
Allow workers to build a tolerance for working in heat.
The OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool is a free, downloadable app that calculates a worksite’s heat index and displays the associated risk levels. Users can receive precautionary recommendations specific to heat index risk levels to help protect employees from heat-related illness. The tool is available in English and Spanish.
OSHA’s Occupational Heat Exposure page explains the symptoms of heat illness, first aid measures to provide while waiting for help, engineering controls and work practices to reduce workers’ exposure to heat, and training.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)– The New Jersey State Police have arrested eight suspects for allegedly operating a human trafficking network in Central New Jersey. During a four-month investigation, detectives discovered that the suspects smuggled female victims into the country and forced them into prostitution.
On Friday, January 21, 2022 detectives from the State Police Missing Persons & Human Trafficking Unit obtained information that a juvenile was being trafficked out of a residence on Hudson Street, in Trenton, Mercer County. Later in the day, detectives along with members of the State Police T.E.A.M.S. Unit, K-9 Unit, Crime Suppression Central Unit, Trenton Police Department, and United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) executed a search warrant at the residence. As a result, detectives located two female victims inside the residence and arrested Daniel Bonito Camara, 55, of Trenton and Edy Villeda Estrada, 39, of Trenton.
During the investigation, detectives discovered that one of the female victims was smuggled from Mexico to Texas under the belief that she would be working in a restaurant. However, she was involuntarily forced into a human sex trafficking operation. The juvenile was then trafficked into New Jersey where she continued to be forced into prostitution in Asbury Park before being moved to Trenton.
Through various investigative means, detectives identified Paulino Macolas-Aguirre, 43, of Trenton, N.J. as the ringleader of the human trafficking operation and determined that he was operating out of multiple residences in Trenton.
On Wednesday, May 11, 2022 detectives from the New Jersey State Police Missing Persons & Human Trafficking Unit, Trenton Police Department, Asbury Park Police Department, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Fugitive Unit and the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice executed search warrants at various residences in Trenton. As a result, nine additional female victims were located. Detectives also obtained evidence that they were smuggled into the United States under the pretense they would be provided legitimate employment.
Due to this investigation the following suspects have been charged:
Paulino Macola- Aguirre, 43, of Trenton, N.J
• Two counts of 1st Degree Human Trafficking
• 1st Degree Promoting Organized Street Crime
• 1st Degree Promoting Child Prostitution
• 2nd Degree Facilitating Human Trafficking
• 2nd Degree Sexual Assault
• 3rd Degree Money Laundering
• 3rd Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child
• 3rd Degree Maintaining a House of Prostitution
• Conspiracy
Daniel Bonito Camara, 55, of Trenton, N.J.
• 1st Degree Human Trafficking
• 1st Degree Promoting Child Prostitution
• 1st Degree Promoting Organized Street Crime
• 2nd Degree Facilitating Human Trafficking
• 2nd Degree Hindering Apprehension
• 2nd Degree Conspiracy to Commit Witness Tampering
• 2nd Degree Conspiracy to Commit Hindering Apprehension
• 2nd Degree Hindering Apprehension
• 3rd Degree Hindering Apprehension
• 3rd Degree Witness Tampering
• 3rd Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child
• 3rd Degree Maintaining a House of Prostitution
Edy Villeda Estrada, 39, of Trenton, N.J.
• 1st Degree Human Trafficking
• 1st Degree Promoting Child Prostitution
• 1st Degree Promoting Organized Street Crime
• 2nd Degree Facilitating Human Trafficking
• 3rd Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child
• 3rd Degree Maintaining a House of Prostitution
Efran Melocastillo, 30, of Trenton, N.J.
• Conspiracy
• 2nd Degree Promoting Organized Street Crime
• 3rd Degree Money Laundering
• 3rd Degree Maintaining a House of Prostitution
Jose Gabriel Camara Perico, 30 of Trenton, N.J.
• Conspiracy
• 2nd Degree Promoting Organized Street Crime
• 3rd Degree Money Laundering
• 3rd Degree Maintaining a House of Prostitution
Laura Macolas Aguirre, 44 of Asbury Park, N.J.
• Conspiracy
• 1st Degree Human Trafficking
• 2nd Degree Facilitating Human Trafficking
• 2nd Degree Promoting Organized Street Crime
• 3rd Degree Money Laundering
• 3rd Degree Maintaining a House of Prostitution
Daniel Handerson Camara Perico, 31 of Trenton, N.J.
• Conspiracy
• 2nd Degree Promoting Organized Street Crime
• 3rd Degree Money Laundering
• 3rd Degree Maintaining a House of Prostitution
• 2nd Conspiracy to commit Tampering with Witness
Daniela Penco-Camara, 28 of Trenton, N.J.
• Conspiracy
• 2nd Degree Promoting Organized Street Crime
• 3rd Degree Money Laundering
• 3rd Degree Maintaining a House of Prostitution
• 2nd Conspiracy to commit Tampering with Witness
“The trafficking of human beings is horrific, particularly when it involves the sexual exploitation of vulnerable women and girls lured to this country under the promise of a better life,” said Acting Attorney General Platkin. “We are committed to working with the State Police and our law enforcement partners to arrest human traffickers and rescue their victims from the shadows, where these crimes occur.”
“Human trafficking victims are subjected to irreprehensible physical and emotional abuse because of the manipulation and fear-based tactics used by their perpetrators,” said Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “This investigation shows our dedication to use every resource at our disposal to bring these criminals to justice and dismantle operations that create life-long, damage to victims. We remain committed to working with our partners to aggressively target these offenders but remind everyone to remain vigilant and report these heinous crimes to law enforcement.”
Daniel Handerson Camara Perico and Daniela Penco-Camara remain at large. All other suspects were lodged in Mercer County Jail pending detention hearings.
If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, please call 855-END-NJ-HT. All tips remain anonymous.
This case is being prosecuted by the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice. All victims recovered were provided victim services.
Charges are mere accusations, and the accused are considered innocent until proven guilty.
West Trenton – Colonel Patrick J. Callahan announced the opening of the New Jersey State Police application process for the position of State Trooper. Applications will be accepted online starting, July 5, 2022, to Sunday, August 2, 2022. All eligible men and women are encouraged to apply. Those interested should visit www.NJTrooper.com to complete the online application.
Troopers can pursue one of the more than 120 diverse career paths that the State Police offers based on personal interests and specialized skills, while also working to ensure the public’s safety. The New Jersey State Police has embarked on an intensive recruiting campaign with assistance from Governor Phil Murphy, Acting Attorney General Matthew Platkin, members of the Governor’s cabinet, and members of the New Jersey legislature.
“The men and women in our State Police force come from many different backgrounds but they all have one thing in common, to protect and serve those in our state,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “I have had the pleasure of working and interacting with many of our State Police officers in my time as Governor and I look forward to welcoming the next class of brave Troopers joining this great organization,”
“Now more than ever, we need individuals with a diversity of skills, backgrounds, and experiences who are committed to public service so that our State Police is reflective of the communities they are sworn to protect,” said Acting Attorney General Platkin. “We’re calling on talented, dedicated applicants to step up and join us as we rise to meet the challenges of the future.”
“The New Jersey State Police is committed to finding the finest candidates to serve as Troopers who not only reflect the great diversity of our state, but our core values of honor, duty, and fidelity. We want the best men and women out there who will advance our public safety mission for the next one hundred years,” said Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “I would like to thank Governor Murphy, his cabinet members, Acting Attorney General Platkin and the New Jersey legislature for greatly assisting the State Police with our recruiting campaign.”
Here are the minimum requirements to apply:
An applicant must have a bachelor’s degree, signifying completion of the undergraduate curriculum and graduation from an accredited college or university. To meet the bachelor’s degree requirement, an applicant must have completed all academic, financial, and administrative obligations to be conferred a bachelor’s degree by June 30, 2022.
OR
An applicant must have an associate’s degree or 60 college credits from an accredited college or university AND at least 24 months of satisfactory employment and/or military experience by June 30, 2022. Work experience must equate to 104 weeks of employment, including military experience, with a minimum of 20 hours of work per week. The 104 weeks are not required to be consecutive.
OR
An applicant must have 30 college credits from an accredited college or university AND at least 24 months of active duty military service by June 30, 2022.
If an applicant does not meet any of the above minimum qualifications, they may still meet the following:
An applicant must have 80 college credits from an accredited college or university by June 30, 2022, AND to enter the background portion of the Selection Process, with successful completion of all other phases, an applicant must have a bachelor’s degree by June 30, 2023, signifying completion of the undergraduate curriculum and graduation from an accredited college or university.
However, if this option is chosen as the minimum qualification during the online application open enrollment process, the applicant will NOT be considered for the current selection process but moved to the following selection process based on the date their degree will be conferred.
Applicants must be at least 21 years old as of the date of the application and must not reach their 35th birthday prior to the graduation of their State Police class.
Applicants must be a U.S. citizen and must have a current driver’s license at the time of application.
Tax removed by Jake Honig’s Law effective July 1, 2022
July 7, 2022
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER) – As of Saturday, July 1, 2022 New Jersey residents enrolled in the state’s Medicinal Cannabis Program will not pay state sales tax on cannabis and cannabis products purchased at a permitted medicinal dispensary. The three-phase elimination of the sales tax was delineated in the Jake Honig Compassionate Use Medical Cannabis Act signed into law by Governor Murphy in 2019.
“Removing state sales tax on medicinal cannabis is consistent with Governor Murphy and the Legislature’s intent to prioritize patients and improve affordability,” said Jeff Brown, executive director of the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission. “As the sales tax has been phased out from 4% to 2% and now to 0% patients have been able to spend less on their medicine, further ensuring patients are prioritized over recreational consumers.”
The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission establishes and enforces the rules and regulations governing the licensing, cultivation, testing, selling, and purchasing of cannabis in the state.
Process for federal funding available for applicants
July 7, 2022
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)– Mayor W. Reed Gusciora today announced the City’s next phase of its American Rescue Plan program – two funds of $2,000,000 each – one for not-for-profit projects and one for small, for-profit businesses.
“On March 11, 2021, the White House announced that President Biden had signed into law the historic American Rescue Plan (ARP) — a $ 1.9 trillion economic stimulus and aid package aimed at addressing the impact of COVID-19,” Mayor Gusciora said. “We were thrilled when we learned that the City of Trenton had been awarded almost $73 million in direct ARP funds – $36.5 million was distributed to the City in May 2021, and another $36.5 million was received in early June 2022.”
Gusciora continued, “While the receipt of the ARP funds is without doubt a ‘good problem’ to have, determining the most appropriate uses has been formidable.”
Although the specific projects have evolved, we are consistently focused on 3 primary goals – (i) building youth and neighborhood resilience; (ii) transforming aging infrastructure; and (iii) investing in local jobs and businesses. With an eye towards these goals, Phase 1 of Trenton’s ARP Plan focused on solutions that will have long term implications towards the revival of the City, including:
New first responder radio equipment and 911 emergency dispatch center Parks upgrade Water infrastructure Expansion of the City animal shelter The City’s Phase I ARP Expenditure Plan consisted exclusively of direct expenditures by City agencies. These projects were reviewed and evaluated by members of the Mayor’s Administration and ultimately approved by City Council for funding. In Phase II of the ARP Expenditure Plan, Mayor Gusciora announced that two (2) funds have been established to extend the opportunity for ARP funding to external organizations (subrecipients): (i) one fund totaling $2,000,000 will be available to not-for-profit entities; and (ii) a second fund totaling $2,000,000 will be available for small (defined below), for-profit businesses that operate in Trenton, particularly among the City’s low-income communities and people of color.
Funding will be available to support projects with a minimum request of $25,000 up to a maximum amount of $100,000. The Program covers costs incurred no earlier than March 3, 2021, and no later than December 31, 2024. Follow the links below to access the necessary documents:
PRINCETON, NJ (MERCER)–On Wednesday, July 6, 2022 at 3:19 p.m., the Princeton Police Department responded to TD Bank, 883 State Road, on the report of an armed robbery. Investigation revealed a male entered TD Bank and approached the teller counter. There was no teller present at the counter and the suspect attempted to jump over the counter but was unsuccessful. The male suspect tried to jump over the counter a second time and was again unsuccessful. The suspect then exited TD Bank and fled on a black motorcycle towards Princeton Avenue. He was last seen stopped at the intersection of Princeton Avenue and Route 206. The suspect did not brandish a weapon, did not make any threats and nothing was stolen from the bank. The suspect was described as a male, approximately 5’4” – 5’5” in height, wearing green pants, a black shirt, black gloves, grey New Balance sneakers, a chest harness with a GoPro style camera attached to it, a black half shell motorcycle helmet and a gas mask. We are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has additional information, to contact Det. Robert Allie at (609) 921-2100 extension 2123.
SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–On Tuesday, July 5, 2022, at 8:44 a.m., the Monmouth Junction Fire Department and South Brunswick Police were dispatched to 404 Samuel Court in Dayton Center for a report of smoke coming from a barbecue on a balcony. Police officers arrived within minutes and observed smoke coming from the roof line of a one-story section of the 4-unit building and immediately started evacuating the residents. Chief Scott Smith of the Monmouth Junction Fire Department arrived and immediately requested the first alarm, bringing the Kingston and Kendall Park Fire Departments to the scene to assist. Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control in approximately 20 minutes but remained on location until 10:30 a.m. extinguishing hot spots.
“This was a challenging fire as we had to use saws and hand tools to open the decking of the second-floor balcony, as well as the walls and ceiling of the unit below the balcony in order to expose and extinguish the fire, which must have been smoldering unnoticed for some time. We are fortunate that the fire was relatively contained and discovered during the day, and not when residents were sleeping,” said Chief Smith.
Six fire trucks and 30 firefighters responded to the fire. South Brunswick EMS responded, and there were no injuries.
Preliminary indications are the fire was caused by old charcoals from a barbecue the night before. The fire is under investigation by the South Brunswick Township Fire Safety Bureau.
MidJersey.News 
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