Notes From the Last Neighborhood Watch Meeting

Detective Bureau/Juvenile Report – Sgt. Jeffrey Ackerson

Sergeant Ackerson introduced himself as the Department’s new Juvenile Officer (replacing Corporal Cusick).  Ackerson stated that he is responsible for any juvenile entering the Criminal Justice System from Holmdel.  In addition, Ackerson serves as a liaison officer with the schools:

• Communicates with school officials on areas of concern
• Assists with School security drills:  Lockdowns, Secure the Building, and Evacuations.

Adult Investigations

• Reported that stores (Sears for one) have issued temporary credit cards to people who acquire Social Security Numbers and birthdates illegally.    

• Prosecutor’s Office has good information on Identity Theft on their website (prosecutor.co.monmouth.nj.us).

Juvenile Issues

• Investigating several thefts from Holmdel High School.  The majority of the thefts are from unsecured lockers.  As always, we urge students not to bring expensive items or large sums of money to school, but if it is necessary to do so, they should ensure the items are kept in a secure locker.

• Synthetic Drugs are becoming more prevalent in the area.  These are made in a lab, and many are not yet illegal because the chemist can change the formula slightly.  Some common names are K2 Spice, or bath salts, and they are available on the Internet and in local shops.  Holmdel has already had one overdose from an individual ingesting the substance.  Legislature takes time to pass new laws banning substances, because the chemical makeup can be easily altered to get around the law.  Parents should be aware of this trend. 

• Sgt. Ackerson also distributed information on a newer drug called “Dragonfly” which has the same effect as LSD and is in the form of blots of paper.

Traffic Safety / Crime Prevention  –  Sergeant Michael Pigott:

Sgt. Pigott spoke about a recent domestic violence incident in which a woman came to Headquarters reporting that her boyfriend attempted to shoot her.  One of the Captains stated that they felt it was unfair that a resident complained that the Police failed to use Code Red to broadcast the incident.  Pigott explained that the Department was dealing with a case that was unfolding, and we were able to ascertain that the subject had left the area in less than an hour.  Once that was confirmed there was no reason to broadcast a message.   

• In response to a question about the new traffic light on Holmdel and Bethany, Sgt. Pigott explained that there is a “no turn on red” to ease congestion for residents exiting from the Old Manor neighborhood.  Deputy Mayor DiMaso (who was in attendance) reported that she has been in touch with the County, and they will eventually change the no turn (probably by first of the year).  The NO TURN ON RED has since been removed.

• Pigott also spoke about the work being completed on Holmdel Road. The gas line will eventually extend from Holmdel Village, through the center of Town, to the Middle Road/Laurel Avenue intersection (9.8 miles).  The work should be completed by August 2012.  As of now, the work has moved to Roberts Road and it will be closed.  Holmdel Road is now re-opened.

• A question was raised about the “Move Over” Law.  This is now a law which requires a driver to move their vehicle to the “left” when an emergency vehicle (Police, Fist Aid, tow truck, etc.) is on the shoulder of the road, you must make an effort to pull over to the next lane, or if this is unsafe, at least slow down while passing.

Operation Take Back – Most recently held on Saturday, October 29th.  Even though there was a snowstorm on collection day, 38 lbs. of unused and/or expired prescription medication was collected.

Holmdel Police Explorers – Sgt. Pigott said that the Explorer Program now falls under the Traffic Safety/Crime Prevention Bureau.  He has plans to “reinvigorate” the program, which is open to individuals with an interest in Law or Law Enforcement.  Members must be 15 years of age or have graduated 8th grade.  Twenty-one is the maximum age for Explorers.