EASTAMPTON, NJ (BURLINGTON)–Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw and Eastampton Township Police Chief Joseph Iacovitti announced that a 26-year-old Willingboro man was fatally shot last night at the Eastampton Gardens apartment complex.
The investigation began yesterday just before 7:15 p.m. after officers from the Eastampton Township and Westampton Township police departments were called to the intersection of Hedding-Jacksonville Road and Welsford Way for a report of a motor vehicle crash.
Upon arrival at the scene, it was discovered that Christian Kurtz was suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported by ambulance to Virtua Mount Holly Hospital, where he died approximately 30 minutes later.
The preliminary investigation revealed that Kurtz had been shot while at the apartment complex, then drove a short distance in his car before colliding with the other vehicle.
No arrests have been made. An autopsy will be performed today by the Burlington County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Anyone with information that might be useful to investigators is asked to call Burlington County Central Communications at 609-265-7113, or send an email to tips@co.burlington.nj.us.
28 Municipalities Receive Notices of Violation for Publishing LGBTQIA+ Exclusionary Marriage License Application Forms On Their Websites
DCR has issued Notices of Violation to the following 28 municipalities: Audubon, Carney’s Point, Chester Township, Commercial, Delran, Fair Haven, Farmingdale, Hi-Nella, Lopatcong, Lumberton, Manasquan, Milltown, Morris Plains, Morristown, Ocean Gate, Oceanport, Old Bridge, Pemberton, Pennsauken, Pohatcong, Raritan Borough, Stockton, Sussex Borough, Vineland, West Cape May, Westhampton, Westville, and Woodlynne.
March 8, 2023
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division on Civil Rights (DCR) announced today that DCR has issued Notices of Violation to 28 municipalities across the state for allegedly violating the Law Against Discrimination by publishing marriage license application forms on their websites that exclude certain LGBTQIA+ individuals seeking to obtain marriage licenses.
The Notices of Violation announced today have been issued to 28 municipalities that have posted marriage license application forms on their websites that do not permit nonbinary people to apply for marriage licenses unless they misgender themselves, under oath, as either “m” (male) or “f” (female). That practice is inconsistent with the marriage license application currently published by the New Jersey Department of Health, which has included a third gender option for nonbinary applicants and other people with undesignated or unspecified gender identities since 2019.
DCR has issued Notices of Violation to the following 28 municipalities: Audubon, Carney’s Point, Chester Township, Commercial, Delran, Fair Haven, Farmingdale, Hi-Nella, Lopatcong, Lumberton, Manasquan, Milltown, Morris Plains, Morristown, Ocean Gate, Oceanport, Old Bridge, Pemberton, Pennsauken, Pohatcong, Raritan Borough, Stockton, Sussex Borough, Vineland, West Cape May, Westhampton, Westville, and Woodlynne.
In each case, the Notice of Violation advises that the exclusionary gender options in the municipality’s marriage application form violates New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination (LAD). The LAD prohibits places of public accommodation from discriminating on the basis of real or perceived sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and gender expression. Under the LAD, it is also unlawful for a place of public accommodation to display or post any communication or notice indicating that any of their offerings are unavailable based on a person’s sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or gender expression.
“Marriage equality is not just the law. It is a fundamental right,” said Attorney General Platkin. “The marriage equality enforcement actions we are announcing today reflect our continued commitment to ensuring that municipal governments do not discriminate against couples seeking marriage licenses on the basis of their gender, gender identity, or gender expression.”
“The law in New Jersey is crystal clear: No one can be denied the fundamental right to marry based on their gender identity,” said DCR Director Sundeep Iyer. “Municipalities have an obligation to ensure that they are not excluding LGBTQIA+ individuals from applying for marriage licenses. Today’s enforcement actions underscore our ongoing commitment to ensuring that marriage equality remains a reality for our State’s LGBTQIA+ residents.”
The Notices of Violation announced today are the latest enforcement actions taken as part of DCR’s Marriage Equality Enforcement Initiative, which was launched in October 2022. The Marriage Equality Enforcement Initiative seeks to ensure that municipal governments across New Jersey comply with the LAD by providing gender-inclusive and non-discriminatory marriage licensing applications and instructions to the general public.
The discriminatory language used by municipalities to describe marriage licensing requirements was first flagged in Marriage Equality in New Jersey: A Latina/o/x Perspective, a joint report issued in July 2022 by the Latino Action Network, Hudson P.R.I.D.E., and Garden State Equality. The report found that the websites of certain municipalities violated the LAD by expressly limiting marriage licenses to “opposite-sex couples.” DCR’s investigation identified other discriminatory language employed by municipalities, including the exclusionary gender options identified in the Notices of Violation announced today.
Among other things, the Notices of Violation issued by DCR warn each municipality that the marriage license application form published on their websites violates the LAD, and that such violations could result in financial penalties of up to $10,000.
The Notices of Violation also contain an offer of settlement. If the municipality does not contest the facts as set out by DCR, it can resolve the matter by entering into an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance agreement. That agreement requires, among other things, that the municipality:
Update its websites to state that marriage licenses are available to qualifying couples of all gender compositions;
Ensure that its website does not contain gender-restrictive language regarding who may obtain a marriage license, and that the services the municipality offers will be open to all persons on an equal basis without regard to sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or gender expression;
Adopt a written policy prohibiting discrimination against persons using or seeking to use the municipality’s offerings and services;
Provide LAD training on compliance with the written anti-discrimination policy to all municipal employees involved in drafting website language and in issuing licenses; and
Remit to DCR a payment in lieu of penalty.
The Marriage Equality Enforcement Initiative will continue to investigate other possible violations related to the posting of marriage licensing information by municipalities across the State. The Initiative is being led by DCR’s Strategic Initiatives and Enforcement Unit, including Interim Chief Aarin Williams and Legal Specialist Iris Bromberg.
***
DCR is the state agency responsible for preventing and eliminating discrimination and bias-based harassment in employment, housing, and places of public accommodation (e.g., places open to the public like schools, businesses, hospitals, etc.). DCR enforces the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD), the New Jersey Family Leave Act, and the Fair Chance in Housing Act (FCHA).
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker (both D-N.J.) today announced $226,939.92 in federal Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG) funding to improve safety and operations in Trenton’s fire departments. The AFG program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The City of Trenton will use the funds to install exhaust extraction systems in firehouses to improve the health and safety of firefighters.
“This funding is critical and will ensure our firefighters can continue to protect Trenton’s families and businesses,” said Sen. Menendez. “The best way to show our gratitude to the men and women who risk their lives is by providing them with the tools, resources, and support they need to do their jobs safely and efficiently.”
“Trenton’s firefighters run into danger and risk their lives to protect us,” said Sen. Booker. “I’m proud to secure funding that will provide them with the equipment and resources they need to perform their jobs safely and effectively, and protect their community.”
“The men and women who put themselves on the front line to protect this city every day, deserve safe conditions when they aren’t responding to the call. That is exactly what these funds are going to do,” said Mayor W. Reed Gusciora. “These are necessary improvements for our fire houses and I’d like to thank Sentor Menendez and Sentor Booker for continuing to advocate for the City of Trenton.”
The AFG program provides direct financial assistance to eligible local professional and voluntary fire departments, emergency medical services organizations, and state fire training academies to equip and train first responders. Since it was established in 2001, New Jersey has received over $180 million in funding from the AFG program to enhance response capabilities, as well as to more effectively protect the health and safety of the public and emergency response personnel.
The following departments have been awarded AFG funding:
WESTAMPTON, NJ (BURLINGTON) – Burlington County Central Communications operations were temporarily shifted to the County’s backup center in Mount Laurel Thursday evening due to an investigation at Central’s primary site in the Burlington County Public Safety Center. The investigation was launched at around 8:30 PM Thursday after Central Communications telecommunicators reported feeling ill. The Communications Center is in the Public Safety Building at 1 Academy Drive, Westampton, NJ 08060.
Carbon monoxide alarms inside the building did not activate and a fire personnel check of the air was also negative, however, as a precaution the building was evacuated and the Burlington County Health Department was notified.
All Central Communications operations, including 911 service and police, fire and emergency medical dispatch, were transferred to the backup center within the Burlington County Engineering and Highway Department building on Briggs Road in Mount Laurel. Central Communications training was occurring at the backup center at the time so the transfer of operations was completely seamless with no loss of service.
The Mount Laurel center is equipped with all radio and computer equipment needed for 911 calls and dispatching. It was created in 2018 while the County renovated the Central Communications Center space in the Public Safety Center and upgraded its equipment. The backup center also functions as a training location and as an auxiliary dispatching location during major incidents.
The Burlington County Health Department and Burlington County Fire Marshal did a complete investigation into the air quality inside the building and found nothing hazardous or abnormal conditions. A second inspection was performed Friday morning and was also negative for hazards. Central Communications telecommunicators were permitted to return into the building for the morning shift and all operations are functioning normally.
A total of 10 Central Communications employees went to an area hospital for precautionary examinations. None were admitted.
The New Jersey State Police have arrested Juwreh Boe, 35, and Andy Koiquah, 33, both of Hamilton, N.J. after a traffic stop led to a DWI arrest and the recovery of a handgun.
On Saturday, August 21, at 2:25 a.m., troopers from Troop “C” Bordentown Station stopped Boe for a traffic violation on Interstate 295 northbound at milepost 45.2 in Westampton Township.
During the stop, troopers determined that Boe was under the influence of alcohol and arrested him for DWI. After further investigation, troopers discovered that Boe and Koiquah were in possession of a 9mm handgun and hollow point ammunition.
Juwreh Boe and Andy Koiquah were charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, prohibited weapons and devices, and certain persons not to have weapons. Boe was also charged with DWI. Both were released pending a future court date.
Charges are mere accusations, and the accused are considered innocent until proven guilty.
WESTAMPTON, NJ (BURLINGTON)–Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina and Westampton Township Police Chief Stephen Ent announced that an 18-year-old Pemberton Township resident has been charged with trying to fatally stab a man at a Westampton hotel last week.
Michael Warder, of the 400 block of Salvia Street, was charged with Attempted Murder (First Degree), Aggravated Assault (Third Degree), Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose (Third Degree) and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (Fourth Degree).
He was lodged in the Burlington County Jail in Mount Holly pending a detention hearing next week. The case will now be prepared for presentation to a grand jury for possible indictment.
The investigation began August 7 when Westampton Township police officers were dispatched to a hotel in the 2000 block of Burlington-Mount Holly Road for a report of a stabbing.
Upon arrival, officers discovered an adult male who was bleeding heavily from multiple stab wounds to his abdomen and arms. The victim was airlifted to Cooper University Hospital and underwent emergency surgery. He remains hospitalized but is expected to survive.
The investigation revealed the defendant became upset upon learning his ex-girlfriend might be in a new relationship. He rode his bicycle to the hotel and confronted her and the victim outside of the building. Upon seeing Warder, she ran inside the hotel and was not injured.
When the assault was over, Warder fled on his bicycle. He was apprehended August 10 at his current girlfriend’s home in Marlton by the Burlington County Sheriff’s Department Fugitive Unit.
The investigation was conducted by the Westampton Township Police Department and the Prosecutor’s Office. The lead investigators are WTPD Detective Sgt. Linda Chieffalo and BCPO Detective Kevin Sobotka.
All persons are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
WESTAMPTON TOWNSHIP (BURLINGTON)– The Burlington County Chiefs of Police Association held their annual Fallen Officers Memorial Service at the Burlington County Emergency Services Center
The memorial service has been a longstanding tradition for the Chiefs of Police Association, held every year during National Police Week. The ceremony honors law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty in Burlington County. The service brings the law enforcement community together for a day of solemn remembrance.
Emergency Management Coordinator at Virtua Health, Phyllis Worrell, was the keynote speaker for the service. Burlington County Prosecutor Scott A. Coffina and Riverton Police Chief John Shaw spoke on behalf of the law enforcement community. Senator Troy Singleton also had a chance to speak to honor officers for their ultimate sacrifice.
National Police Week is a week in May to honor law enforcement officers who have been killed or disabled in the line of duty. Unfortunately, a lot of scheduled events for this week have been postponed, modified, or canceled due to Coronavirus, but it is great to see that these officers are still being honored for their sacrifices they took to protect and serve.
Social distancing and all other COVID-19 guidelines were followed.
The memorial was streamed via Facebook Live. You can view that video here.
TRENTON (Jan. 23, 2021) – One Michigan ticket matched all five of the five white balls and the Gold Mega Ball drawn winning the $1.05 billion Mega Millions jackpot. The estimated cash value was $776.6 million.
In New Jersey, there was onesecond-tier prizewinning ticket sold for the Friday, January 22, drawing that matched five of the five white balls drawn winning the $1,000,000 prize. The ticket was purchased at 7-Eleven #11027, 2075 Route 88, Brick in Ocean County.
There were ten third-tier prizewinning tickets sold that matched four of the five white balls and the gold ball winning $10,000. Those tickets were purchased at the following locations:
Sussex County: 7-Eleven #37251, 63 Water St., Newton; and,
Warren County: Mini Mart, 1312 US Highway 22 East, Phillipsburg.
In addition to the second and third-tier prizes won, 236 players matched four of the five white balls drawn making each ticket worth $500. 15 of those tickets were purchased with the Megaplier option, multiplying the prizes to $1,000. Moreover, 389,264 other New Jersey players took home $1,455,848 in prizes ranging from $2 to $400. The winning numbers for the Friday, January 22, drawing were: 04, 26, 42, 50, and 60. The Gold Mega Ball was 24, and the Megaplier Multiplier was 02.
The jackpot resets to $20 million for the next drawing on Tuesday, January 26, at 11:00 pm. All New Jersey Lottery Mega Millions tickets must be purchased before 10:45 pm to participate in the drawing. Mega Millions tickets cost just two dollars; by adding the Megaplier option for an extra dollar per play, players can increase their non-jackpot winnings up to five times. Mega Millions tickets are sold in 46 participating jurisdictions. Drawings are held on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Jersey Cash 5 Boasts the Biggest Cash Jackpot EVER
Jersey Cash 5 Leaps to Record $2 Million Jackpot
TRENTON (Jan. 23, 2021) – New Jersey Lottery would like to announce the record-breaking jackpot for tonight’s Jersey Cash 5 drawing. The drawing for the all-cash jackpot of $2 million happens tonight at 10:57 pm, so be sure to get your tickets in time. The $2 million jackpot is the highest jackpot for Jersey Cash 5, ever – topping the 2013 record of $1.96 million.
With daily drawings and jackpots starting at $100,000, seeing jackpots top the million-dollar milestone is a rare treat for the game’s loyal players, but the two-million-dollar jackpot breaks new ground for the Jersey Cash 5 record books. For just a dollar, Jersey Cash 5 is a great option for players to pick their lucky numbers – or go with a Quick Pick option – and hope for the five-out-of-five match tonight.
Jersey Cash 5, which held its first drawing in 1992, has already proven to be a vital component of the Lottery’s offerings to support our State.
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.
WESTAMPTON, NJ (BURLINGTON)–The New Jersey State Police have arrested Kevin Stover, 27, of Philadephia, PA and seized a handgun and various drugs and cash during a traffic stop.
On Tuesday, July 28, at 7:28 p.m., Trooper Daniel Deverin stopped Stover for a traffic violation on Interstate 295 southbound at milepost 45.4 in Westampton Township, Burlington County. During the stop, Tpr. Deverin determined that Stover was under the influence and arrested him for DWI. While conducting a search of the vehicle, troopers discovered a 9mm handgun, a high capacity magazine, $6,000 worth of marijuana, $2,400 worth of promethazine codeine, $2,000 worth of ecstacy, $825 worth of precription legend drugs, $350 worth of hashish, $60 worth of heroin, and $963 cash.
Kevin Stover was charged with unlawful possession of a handgun, certain persons not to have weapons, possession of prohibited weapons and devices, unlawful possesion of a weapon, possession of a weapon while committing a CDS offense, possession of heroin, possession of hashish, possession of ecstacy, possession of marijuana, three counts of possession of CDS with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of hypodermic needles, criminal under the influence, and DWI.
Stover was lodged at the Burlington County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Charges are mere accusations and the accused is considered innocent until proven guilty.
You must be logged in to post a comment.