Sheriff Golden Urges Monmouth Residents To Prepare For The Storm

Monmouth County: Sheriff Shaun Golden wants all to prepare and plan prior to the impending storm that’s expected to travel up the east coast, beginning Friday, since it has the potential to cause severe weather in Monmouth County. It’s still too early to determine how much of an impact this Nor’easter can or will have at the Jersey Shore, however, Sheriff Golden, whose agency runs the Office of Emergency Management, says it’s important to take precautions now and have a family disaster plan ready.

“Preparing, planning and staying informed makes dealing with weather related events that may affect Monmouth County, much easier,” said Sheriff Golden. “Now is the time to take basic steps and plan what you will do if heavy snow, severe flooding and high winds occur or if power goes out for an extended period of time.”

People who live in flood prone areas are particularly being strongly urged to stay aware and plan, before the storm hits. Those residents have the highest risk for flooding, considering the impact of persistent on shore winds accompanied by increased storm surge.

Steps that residents can take are:

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Scharfenberger Sworn In As Middletown Mayor

Acting Governor Kim Guadagno administered the Oath of Office to Mayor Gerald Scharfenberger, PhD, on Sunday when the Middletown Township Committee reorganized for 2016.

Selected by his fellow members of the Township Committee, Scharfenberger replaces Stephanie Murray who served two terms as mayor through 2014 and 2015.  Scharfenberger praised the “spectacular job” Murray did as mayor and expressed his gratitude to her for what she taught him about leadership and public service.

Scharfenberger has been a member of the Township Committee since 2005 and previously served as mayor in 2007,2008, 2009, 2010 and 2013.

Guadagno swore in Committeeman Tony Fiore as Deputy Mayor and Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden administered the Oath to Committeeman Steve Massell who was elected to his third term on the Committee last November.

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Freehold Bomb Threat Was Domestic Terrorism Hoax

Monmouth County authorities arrested Jessee Carroll, 22, of Middletown on Friday and charged him with making bomb threats at the AMC theater complex at Freehold Raceway Mall on Monday December 14 and again on Friday the 18th.

Carroll is being held in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution on $200,000 bail with no 10% option as set by Superior Court Judge Honora O’Brien Kilgallen.  Should he make bail, Carroll is ordered not to return to the scene of the crime or any other movie theaters.

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Police Recruits Graduate, Embark on a Career in Law Enforcement

Sheriff Shaun Golden salutes a new policewoman

Sheriff Shaun Golden is pleased to announce the graduation of 68 newly sworn in law enforcement officers from the Monmouth County Police Academy.  On Dec. 17 recruits from the 89^th Basic Course for Police Officers received their police training commission certifications during a ceremony at Neptune High School’s Performing Arts Center.

“By successfully completing this training, these fine men and women have demonstrated their commitment to law enforcement,” said Sheriff Shaun Golden.  “That is a great privilege, since there is no higher responsibility, than maintaining public safety. I’m proud of their accomplishments and commend all for a job well done.”

The Basic Course for Police Officers is a 20 week program with 780 hours of training. The class is run through the Monmouth County Police Academy and upon completion the officers are well trained and well prepared to serve their respective law enforcement agencies.

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“All Clear” in Freehold Bomb Threat

Authorities have issued an “all clear” after no explosives were found this evening at the AMC Theater complex in the Freehold Raceway Mall, according to a statement issued by Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christoper J. Gramiccioni.

A theater employee discovered a note in the men’s room at 5 p.m. which stated there were multiple bombs in the complex set to detonate this evening. Theater management evacuated the building and contacted the Freehold Township Police Department.  K-9 units from the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, Middletown and Wall police departments, New Jersey Homeland Security, Freehold Independent Fire Company, and Freehold First Aid responded to assist the FTPD.

The theater was cleared of any explosives at 6:51 p.m.

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Cantor seeks to unseat Golden as Monmouth County Sheriff

Marlboro Councilman Jeff Cantor announced this morning that he is seeking the Democratic nomination for Monmouth County Sheriff in 2016.

A Colonel in the U.S, Army Reserves, Cantor cited his military experience in intelligence, emergency management and anti-terrorism as reasons he could do “a tremendous job” as sheriff in a phone interview with MMM.

Cantor has served on the Marlboro Council since 2004, including while deployed on active duty overseas. During his deployments, he participated in Council meetings via telephone.  He told MMM that he doesn’t think he will be deployed in the next two years before he retires from the military, “but it depends on what happens in Syria.”

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19 Arrested in Monmouth Prostitution Sting

19 people were arrested last weekend on prostitution related charges according to an announcement by Sheriff Shaun Golden.  The arrests occurred in Wall and Hazlet Townships.

The undercover operation was conducted by the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the Hazlet and Wall Township Police Departments.

Twelve females were charged with solicitation of prostitution and seven people were charged with promotion of prostitution. Additional charges included possession of Controlled Dangerous Substances, possession with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school zone and possession of a weapon. A total of $5,000 was confiscated.

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Sheriff’s Office on high alert for 9-11 anniversary

Monmouth County Sheriff’s Patrol At Seastreak’s Highlands Terminal. file photo

The Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office is on heightened alert for the 14th anniversary of the 9-11 terrorists attacks, according to a statement issued by Sheriff Shaun Golden.

“September 11th is a day of remembrance and reflection for our country,” Golden. “As always, our Law Enforcement Division will be working closely with local law enforcement agencies to take whatever steps are required to ensure the safety and security of the people who live and work in Monmouth County, as well as those who may be visiting.”

In addition to their routine security checks, sheriff’s officers will be assisting local police patrols at ferry terminals and transportation hubs.

K-9 teams will be sweeping ferry terminals and train stations, as well as major 9/11 remembrance observances, as requested. Sheriff’s Marine #1 will be out patrolling the waterways and conducting homeland security checks throughout the day.

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Golden: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden

As summer is coming to a close, law enforcement throughout Monmouth County is participating in the national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign lead by the NJ Division of Highway Traffic Safety, according to Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden.

The campaign to crack down on drunk driving started last Friday and extends through Labor Day, September 7.

“We want everyone to enjoy the remainder of the summer, but, if you are going to drink, don’t drive, it’s as simple as that,” said 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 yourself or others, it’s important to follow these safety tips:

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19th Annual Citizen Police Academy

Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden

Applications are now being accepted to the 19th Annual Monmouth County Citizen Police Academy, Sheriff Shaun Golden announced this morning.

A prerequisite for participating in VISCOMP (Volunteers in Sheriff’s Community Programs), the course is designed to foster and promote an understanding by citizens in Monmouth County of the services offered and challenges facing the law enforcement agencies in the county. It is envisioned that graduates of the Citizen Police Academy will gain awareness and appreciation of the services provided by these agencies and will become “goodwill ambassadors” for the law enforcement and public safety community.

The course consists of six sessions on consecutive Tuesday evenings, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, starting on September 22 and concluding with graduation on October 27th. The 12-hour block of instruction designed to give attendees an overview of law enforcement services in Monmouth County and features presentations by municipal, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies.

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