Sheriff Golden: Stay Safe, Don’t Drink And Drive This Weekend

Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden is urging drivers to be alert and stay sober throughout the Labor Day holiday weekend. Along with backyard barbeques and holiday parties, there will be an increase of travelers on the roadways during the extended weekend. Law enforcement will remain vigilant to keep roadways safe and free of drunk drivers.

“We want everyone to enjoy the last weekend of the summer, but, if you are going to drink, don’t drive, it’s as simple as that,” said Sheriff Shaun Golden. “Law enforcement will be out in full force and on the lookout for drunk drivers.”

In an effort to avoid presenting a danger to oneself or others it’s important to follow these safety tips:

• Before going out, designate a driver who will not consume any alcohol the entire night.

• DO NOT DRIVE if you are impaired. Call a cab, a sober friend or family member. If you don’t have a ride stay where you are.

• If you see someone about to get behind the wheel or on a motorcycle after they have been drinking, take their keys and find them a ride with someone who is sober.

• Under no circumstances should adults provide alcohol to a minor or allow anyone under 21 to consume alcohol while at their home.

In New Jersey, an individual is considered over the legal limit if he/she operates a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or greater.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2011, there were 193 alcohol impaired driving fatalities in New Jersey, of that 16 occurred in Monmouth County.

“Any fatality on our roads is one too many,” said Sheriff Golden. “Enforcing the law and educating the public about the dangers of drinking and driving is the key to keeping our roadways safer.”

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Governor Chris Christie Eases Access to New Jersey’s Medical Marijuana Program for Sick Children

Calls for Lifting Three-Strain Cultivation Limit, Allowing Edible Consumption for Children and Giving Parents Choice

Trenton, NJ – Acting with the belief that parents, and not government regulators, are best suited to decide how to care for their children, Governor Chris Christie today acted to ease access for sick children to New Jersey’s medical marijuana program. The Governor acted to lift the three-strain cultivation limit on authorized growers and to make the treatment available to children in edible form. His actions will provide qualifying minors a wider variety of treatment options under the state’s program and empower parents to make choices based on their own reflections, study and physical consultation to provide their children appropriate treatment consistent with their age and medical needs.

“As I have repeatedly noted, I believe that parents, and not government regulators, are best suited to decide how to care for their children,” said Governor Christie in his conditional approval of the bill. “Protection of our children remains my utmost concern, and my heart goes out to those children and their families who are suffering with serious illnesses. Today, I am making commonsense recommendations to this legislation to ensure sick children receive the treatment their parents prefer, while maintaining appropriate safeguards. I am calling on the Legislature to reconvene quickly and address these issues so that children in need can get the treatment they need.”

Governor Christie added that medical review and doctor sign-off before entering the program should be maintained. Media reports have mischaracterized the current requirements and regulations: while a qualifying minor must be approved by both a pediatrician and a psychiatrist, no additional approvals are required if either one of those physicians is registered with the program. This approach is endorsed by the New Jersey Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Governor believes it should remain in place.

While the Governor believes that children should have access to edible forms of medical marijuana, he made modifications to the bill to ensure that these forms will only be available to qualifying patients who are minors.

A copy of the Governor’s message is attached.

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Franchisee of T.G.I. Friday’s Targeted in “Operation Swill” to Pay $500,000 for Replacing Premium Alcohol with Cheaper Substitutes

-Briad Group Will Employ Compliance Officer and Update Employee Training and Inventory Software —

photo via facebook

TRENTON – Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman and Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Director Michael Halfacre today announced that the Briad Group, a franchisee of the T.G.I. Friday’s restaurants in New Jersey raided in May as part of “Operation Swill,” will pay a fine of $500,000 and not contest charges that eight of its restaurants were serving customers alcoholic beverages other than what they ordered.

“Briad’s restaurants were scamming customers by serving them a cheap substitute for what they ordered,” said Acting Attorney General Hoffman. “This unlawful practice took advantage of consumers who were cheated out of what they thought they were purchasing. This fine should send a clear message to every bar and restaurant throughout New Jersey that customers should get what they pay for every time without exception.”

ABC and Division of Criminal Justice Investigators raided 13 T.G.I. Friday’s owned by Briad during “Operation Swill” and seized approximately 250 bottles of spirits from those locations. Eight of those establishments were charged and included in the settlement. Those locations were in West Orange, East Windsor, Old Bridge, Piscataway, Freehold, Marlboro, Hazlet and Linden.

As part of the settlement, Briad will employ an ABC-appointed monitor through June 30, 2014. The compliance officer will have the full cooperation of Briad’s restaurants and its employees as well as access to all books, records, compensation programs and any other information the monitor deems appropriate. The compliance officer will then report his findings to the ABC. In addition, Briad will make internal changes that include updating employee training and inventory software.

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SHERIFF GOLDEN CONTINUES TO MAKE CHILD SAFETY A PRIORITY THROUGH YOUTH ID PROGRAM

Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden is pleased to announce that the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office issued 600 youth ID cards during the Monmouth County Fair which was held from July 24 to July 28. The Youth ID program consists of a credit card size photo ID of a child that is carried by a parent or guardian who maintains complete control of the card. In an emergency, the card can be given to local first responders to aid in the rapid location and safe return of a child.

“The Youth ID Program is offered year round and helps ensure the safety of our children, which is a top priority at the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office,” said Sheriff Shaun Golden.

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HELP SOUGHT IDENTIFYING COLTS NECK STABBING SUSPECT

The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the Colts Neck Police Department are seeking the public’s help in identifying the man seen in the sketch on the left.

The suspect is wanted for questioning about the stabbing of a 41-year-old Colts Neck woman inside her Bray Street home on Sunday, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced.

A composite sketch is a drawing approximating a suspect’s facial appearance.  Please keep in mind that appearances such as hair styles, beards and moustaches are easily changed. People gain and lose weight.

Anyone who recognizes, believes they recognize the man in the sketch or has any information about this case is asked to call Detective Andrea Tozzi, of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office at 1-800-533-7443, or Detective Richard Zarrillo, of the Colts Neck Police Department at 732-462-4343.

If you believe you may have information regarding the identification of the person depicted in the sketch, please contact either of the listed detectives whether or not you are 100 percent sure.  All leads will be followed up in an appropriate fashion.

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FEMA Continues to Discriminate Against Churches and Synagogues Devastated by Superstorm Sandy

WASHINGTON, DC – “It has been five long months since the House overwhelmingly passed my legislation to ensure that houses of worship are no longer discriminated against under Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) rules,”  said Rep. Chris Smith, author of H.R. 592, the “Federal Disaster Assistance Nonprofit Fairness Act of 2013.”

“When a bill passes the House by such a strong, bipartisan margin of 354-72, it is hoped that the Senate will work aggressively to send it to the President’s desk.  The legislation is desperately needed to put fairness back into our disaster relief programs.

“I welcome the bipartisan efforts of Senators Kirsten Gillebrand (D-NY) and Roy Blunt (R-MO) in their introduction of a Senate companion bill, S. 1274, this week and I am delighted and encouraged that New Jersey Sen. Jeff Chiesa has signed on as well. I am confident their leadership will help break the log jam and bring equity to the program.”

Smith, who has personally met with Senators Tom Carper and Tom Coburn, the chair and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, said that they each raised some concerns that Smith believed could be easily addressed in a bill markup session. Having a companion bill will hopefully help show support in the Senate and advance the issue. Smith also met with FEMA head Craig Fugate to discuss the bill and the current unfair treatment of houses of worship compared to other non-profits.

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Christie Administration Announces Federal Supplemental Social Services Block Grant To Assist Superstorm Sandy Victims

Funds Will Reinforce Social Services Programs and Continue to Assist New Jerseyans’ Personal Recovery Efforts

Trenton, NJ – The Christie Administration today announced that it received authorization to spend $209 million of a supplemental social services block grant (SSBG) from the US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families on services provided to victims of Superstorm Sandy. The funding is allocated to the Department of Human Services (DHS) and shared with the Departments of Health (DOH) and Children and Families (DCF) for eligible expenditures.

“The physical rebuilding of structures and the removal of debris are just one part of New Jersey’s efforts to recover from Superstorm Sandy,” said Governor Chris Christie. “Another stage of that recovery is the healing process, which many of our impacted residents have been undergoing over the last eight months through social services programs available to them. New Jersey will use these grant funds to reinforce our social services infrastructure so that we can continue to support Sandy survivors’ ongoing personal recovery efforts.”

The Disaster Relief Appropriations Act provided about $500 million to five states for expenses related to recovery and rebuilding. New Jersey received almost half of the total allotment. SSBG funds are designed to address necessary expenses resulting from Superstorm Sandy, including social, health, and behavioral health services, as well as the repair, renovation and rebuilding of health care, child care and other social services facilities.

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ABC, Cops in Shops, Preventing Underage Drinking

As Revelers Return to Jersey Shore, Cops in Shops back for 17th Year

Division of Alcohol Beverage Control graphic

BELMAR – With the business of summer getting back to usual at  the Jersey Shore, the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control today joined with other  state, county and local officials to announce the summer kickoff of its  successful “Cops in Shops” enforcement initiative.

Under  the program, local police officers work undercover in participating retail  locations. Law enforcement officials either pose as store employees or are positioned  outside the establishment to apprehend adults who attempt to purchase alcohol  for underage drinkers. Cops in Shops is a program designed by the Century  Council, a national not-for-profit organization funded by distillers. The New  Jersey Cops in Shops program is recognized nationally as a successful program.

“Hurricane Sandy did some damage, but we are proud to be back here at the Shore,” said Division  of Alcoholic Beverage Control Director Michael Halfacre. “Given the incredible  progress this area has made in the last eight months, people are again flocking  to their favorite spots along the Jersey Shore. They’re back, which means we’re back.”

“Attitudes among some adults and young people about the dangers of  underage drinking can range from indifferent to dismissive, making our job that  much more challenging. But that’s a challenge we embrace at the ABC because we  are committed to preserving the physical and emotional health of the young people in New Jersey,”  he said.

This  summer, 28 Shore police departments are participating in the program, with approximately $61,000 in funding provided by the Division of Highway Traffic  Safety.

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SIX YEAR OLD SAVED AFTER TREATMENT FOR SEVERE BREATHING PROBLEM

(Hazlet, NJ) — Immediate Care Medical Walk-in of Hazlet lived up to its name recently, after a frantic mother carried her six year old daughter into the facility for difficulty breathing. “She was on the verge of going into anaphylactic shock, wheezing, had difficulty breathing and had broken out in a rash,” said Stacie Stopen, nurse practitioner.  “We immediately administered oxygen, gave her an injection of steroid and started her on a breathing treatment of a bronchodilator.  She was smiling and breathing normally within the hour.”

The problem started when a classmate offered the little girl a bite of her sandwich that contained a luncheon meat with peanuts, to which she was allergic.  That resulted in an almost immediate difficulty in breathing.   Her teacher quickly contacted the school nurse who, in turn, called her parents.  The mother took the little girl home and soon discovered that the child was progressing to hives even after an Epipen injection and some Benadryl, it still wasn’t helping.  So they drove to Immediate Care Medical Walk-in of Hazlet where they were treated immediately.

“That’s why we’re here,” says Dr. Lisa Golding-Granado, medical director of the facility.  “Our staff is trained for virtually any crisis.  And there’s, typically, little or no wait.”

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OPERATION “SHORE BET” DISMANTLES $1 MILLION PER WEEK GAMBLING OPERATION

(FREEHOLD) An extensive investigation into a $1 million-a-week organized gambling enterprise operating in the Monmouth County region culminated Monday with the arrest of 22 individuals, the seizure of a dozen vehicles, more than $500,000 in cash, and the freezing of financial accounts used to facilitate the criminal activity, announced Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE DEFENDENTS

The 18-month joint investigation conducted by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office with the New Jersey Department of the Treasury, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, and the Asbury Park, Deal, Freehold Township, Howell, Marlboro, Ocean, Red Bank and Wall Police Departments culminated Monday with the execution of search and arrest warrants with the assistance of the officers from the Long Branch, Monmouth Beach, Oceanport, Toms River, and West Long Branch Police Departments.

The investigation revealed a well organized gambling enterprise extending throughout Monmouth County and into Somerset, Essex, and Hudson Counties and the State of New York.  Members of the enterprise laundered the proceeds of their criminal activity through various methods to avoid reporting requirements and to mask the true ownership and source of the ill gotten gains.  Additionally, it was discovered members of the organization also engaged in the sale and distribution of marijuana and prescription drugs.

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