Faris N. Salem, 42, was charged with unlawful possession of BRIDGEWATER, NJ - Two Somerville teens were arrested on weapons charges stemming from two incidents involving a pellet gun at theBridgewater Commons Mall Jan. 4 and Jan. 14, according to a release from Bridgewater Township Police Chief John Mitzak. The controversy also led the township to cancel Mayor Matt Moench's town hall meeting on road improvements that was scheduled for Wednesday evening because of safety concerns. It doesnt take two cops to hold a 14-year-old boy down whos not resisting, while the other boy is just kind of going free and still going off on my son. About See all Hyperlocal news, alerts, discussions and events for Bridgewater, NJ We're a community-specific news, information and engagement network driven by passionate and experienced media professionals. Mike Voorhees, the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District security coordinator, was joined by four members of the school RARITAN, NJ - A settlement has been reached between Raritan Borough and the estate of Matas Ortega, who was killed in 2018 after he was hit by a car driven by Raritan resident Ronald Rebernik. Have a news tip? SOLD OUT! A driver involved in a Friday morning crash with a utility pole on Route 202 in Branchburg was hospitalized, officials said. As police arrive a female and male officer grabthe white teen off the Black teen. We will get back to you as soon as possible. International Womens Day Event! We have to let the investigation play out. Phil Murphy, are questioning as racially motivated. "Based on the nature of these communications and the number of prospective attendees, the township believes that it cannot reasonably guarantee the safety of the attendees and staff if the scheduled town hall were to proceed," the statement continues, adding a new meeting date will be announced. TAP in the News Isaiah C. Smith, 19, was charged with two BRIDGEWATER, NJ - A 40-year-old man was taken to Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in New Brunswick with a serious injury to his left arm following a motor vehicle accident on Chimney Rock Road near Gilbride Road Tuesday, according to Bridgewater Township Police. The New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) Law Enforcement Accreditation Program is a statewide, independent credentialing body that analyzes the operational Copyright 2023 TAP IP LLC, All rights reserved. No other information was provided on the report. Actions included expansion of Crisis Intervention Team training, development of a statewide "Use of Force Portal" and updates to the state's use-of-force policy. All rights reserved. Knapp comes from a family of service members, with his brother serving as captain in the U.S. Navy, another MARTINSVILLE, NJ - The intersection of Mount Horeb Road and Washington Valley Road is closed as of 6:30 p.m. Monday due to wires down from a motor vehicle accident, according to the Martinsville Volunteer Fire Department. A new program aimed at beefing up community policing in Bridgewater is scheduled to make its debut in the coming months. Video of the incident shows a group of young people gathered in a seating area at the mall and two boys, one white and one Black, standing up in a verbal altercation. Hire A Bridgewater Area Pro To Get A Head Start On Spring Cleaning! 0:57. According to Deputy Township Administrator Wells Winegar, the program addresses various community policing issues, BRIDGEWATER, NJ - The fire district elections are in February to vote on commissioners and budgets in each of the four districts. Bound Brook Police used a garden hose on the fire before volunteer firefighters arrived and extinguished the blaze. During his COVID-19 news conference on Wednesday, Murphy reiterated his concern for the apparent racially disparate treatment in the video. He was released with a pending court appearance. 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The attorney BRIDGEWATER, NJ - The attorney generals office released an official statement Friday regarding the February 2022 police response at the Bridgewater Commons Mall, and said that although it has completed its own investigation, its report may be released if the local administration does not conclude SOMERSET, NJ - The Somerset County Prosecutor's Office has released a motive in the fatal shooting of a PSEG supervisor outside his car at the office, on Weston Canal Road in Somerset, Wednesday. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. In the video, a female and male officer grab the white teen off the Black teen. Welcome to the Official Bridgewater Police Department (NJ) Facebook Page. They were two different reporting periods per the AGs reporting requirements, however, the suspension was consecutive," said Bernards Township Police Chief Michael Shimsky. "We recognize that this video has made members of our community upset and are calling for an internal affairs investigation. Police also reported car burglaries, theft of tools, and windows at the Raritan Train Station being smashed on New Year's Day. Some three dozen individuals were in attendance, including Gallos family, the five council members and about a dozen Bridgewater police RARITAN, NJ - A Flemington man was arrested for criminal mischief after allegedly breaking a window at Char Restaurant, on Route 202, Jan. 23, according to Raritan Borough Police. Carrier Clinic, Taxes in Retirement Seminar on March 7th and 9th at Raritan Valley Community College. 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Internal Affairs. New Jersey Attorney General's Office investigation into Bridgewater Police's handling of a teen mall fight in February 2022 is complete. 1:16. The Bridgewater Police Department, with seventy-eight officers, serves and protects a diverse residential population of over 45,000 persons. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. The officer lied to supervisors when questioned and lied again during an [Internal Affairs] investigation, according to the report. A victim reported Nov. 19 that their vehicle had been burglarized while being parked in the lot of Lands End, on Chimney Rock Road. Fire District Budgets Pass in Annual Elections, According to Crim Students Welcome Bridgewater Officers, Security Officers for National Settlement Reached in Lawsuit Filed Against Raritan Borough, Raritan Bridgewater Introducing Phase 1 of BridgewaterSHIELD Program, Bridgewater Fire District Elections to be Held Feb. 18. Removal Requests We endeavor to reduce crime along with the fear of it, through cooperative interaction with the community. He said increasing trust between police and the community has been a hallmark of his administration from day one. International Womens Day Event! ", Public safety: Tasers, hailed as a way to avoid deadly police shootings, are seldom used in NJ, Watchdog: NJ AG reveals names of cops who have been suspended, demoted, terminated. Bridgewater Police Department100 Commons Way Bridgewater, NJ 08807. South Bound Brook childrens book author Apara Mahal Sylvester's new book, Mousies Way Home, focuses on the plight of feral cats. All rights reserved. "In light of the volume and nature of communications that have been received by our township staff and Police Department, the decision has been made, in the interest of protecting the safety of the public and staff, to postpone the town hall meeting," according to a statement on the township's website. Volunteers Needed For Raritan River Cleanup In Bridgewater, Bridgewater I-287 Pedestrian Crash Prompts Delays Thursday: DOT, McDonald's Shamrock Shake Returns To Bridgewater, Somerset Man Charged With Attempted Murder: Police, Car Loses Control, Hits I-287 Median, Rolls Over In Bridgewater, 'Warm Hearted,' Beloved Bridgewater Employee Retires After 30 Years, An Abandoned Cat's Rescue Featured In Somerset County Children's Book, Hoboken's Official St. Patrick's Day Bar Crawl, NJ Camp Fairs at Menlo Park Mall Mar 4, 2023 - FREE to Attend (12-3PM), Now Hiring!! Phil Murphy said. "We have requested that the Somerset County Prosecutors Office assist us in this matter and are requesting patience as we strictly adhere to the New Jersey Attorney Generals Internal Affairs Directivehttps://www.njoag.gov/iapp/. One officer pushed the white teen into a seated position on the couch, according to the video. A Bridgewater Officer was also named to this list. The township council unveiled a proclamation in honor of the event, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Cindy and David Keogh are the parents of Ryan Keogh, who was found guilty of first-degree murder following a shooting at their home in 2019. RARITAN, NJ - Raritan Borough Police have released the police blotter for the end of October and beginning of November. I always saw a Bridgewater BRIDGEWATER, NJ - A group of local parents have asked the Bridgewater Township Council for assistance regarding what they say is a dangerous pedestrian intersection located near the BridgewaterRaritan High School. To the best of our knowledge, the New Jersey Attorney General has concluded their investigation, said a township official BRIDGEWATER, NJ - The Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District has released information related to a cybersecurity incident involving information about some employees and individuals on the districts employee insurance plan. SOLD OUT! The state is awarding about $16.2 million in grants. In the area of milepost 16, the front of the Volkswagen struck and killed Hernandez, according to the preliminary investigation. Bridgewater Police also reported making arrests for driving while intoxicated and shoplifting in the latest blotter. New Jersey police are under fire for their response to a fistfight after a Black eighth grader was pinned to the ground and handcuffed while a white teen involved in the weekend mall scuffle was left seated on a couch. Raritan Headwaters is hosting its 33rd annual stream cleanup on April 15 to clean select branches of the Raritan River. News about Central Jersey and New Jersey for the Courier News community. Brendan M. Heffernan, 46, of Maplewood, Copyright 2023 TAP IP LLC, All rights reserved. . At about 2:29 a.m., a Volkswagen Tiguan was traveling in the left lane of southbound I-287 and a pedestrian, Alfred Hernandez, was walking near the left lane ahead of the vehicle, State Police said. We are a community oriented force and are always looking for ways to improve our service to you. Korrie Keats, 38, of Plainfield, was arrested Oct. 12 at about . Ina CBS New York report, the 14-year-old Black teen, identified as Kye, and his mother, Ebone, who asked that their last names not be used, called for the officers to be fired. The Department covers over thirty-four square miles of land, 3,600 acres of public and private parks, and major highways such as US 202, US 202/206, US 22, NJ 28, and Interstate 287. Privacy Policy Z'Kye's family has retained civil rights attorney Ben Crump, the law firm announced Thursday. February 16, 20223:11 PM ET. BRIDGEWATER A 38-year-old Morristown man was killed early Thursday morning while walking on Interstate 287, State Police said. Joe Hernandez. The teen and his mother could not be reached for comment Wednesday. BREAKING: Black teen restrained by police in NJ mall fight video hires George Floyd's family lawyer, Although an investigation is still gathering the facts about this incident, Im deeply disturbed by what appears to be racially disparate treatment in this video. 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Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. BridgewaterSHIELD's first phase includes a Citizens Police Academy, Virtual Reality Training for the public, and Coffee with Police Staff. Susan Loyer covers Middlesex County and more for MyCentralJersey.com. "The men and women of the Bridgewater Township Police Department are thankful for our community partners and look forward to continuing to build our positive relationships," the post says. Branchburg Township Police were called to a business on Route 202 to check for a man who had been in a restroom for over an hour. His mother, Ebon, who only shared her first name to NBC New York, was outraged. Bernards Township Officer David Martin was suspended for 31 days in 2021 for "violation of Bernards Township Police Department Policies and Procedures and Rules and Regulations," read the report. Bound Brook Police released photos of a dark-colored vehicle (appears to be a Ford Escape) wanted in connection with the abandoned dog. We also protect and serve patrons, visitors and workers of the businesses and large corporations in town such as the Bridgewater Commons Mall, Bausch Health, iConnective, Sanofi-Aventis, J&J, MetLife, PVH, Qualcomm and events at TD Bank Park which is home of the Somerset Patriots - AA Affiliate of the New York Yankees, Moench noted in a statement that the rules governing use of force by police officers in New Jersey are codified by the state attorney generals office. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters. Sustained charges against Martin included: Martin was also previously suspended for 55 days in 2020 on the same violation, according to the report released in August 2021. "This rumor started last week, and it has spiraled in reference to a student bringing a BRIDGEWATER, NJ - Bridgewater Police released a message warning residents to keep their valuables close after investigating a number of thefts of purses and wallets that have been left unattended. The 2021 report shows that six Somerset County agencies had at least one officer subject to "major" discipline: one from Bernards Township Police, one from Bridgewater Township Police, one from Franklin Township Police, one from North Plainfield Police, and one from Somerset County Sheriff's Office Corrections Division. The township postponed the town hall meeting as nationwide attention focused on Bridgewater. He was kind of saying, like, Youre a little kid, youre my little pet, and stuff like that, he told NBC New York. IE 11 is not supported. Police report that, on Oct. 29 at about 3:52 p.m., someone stole a vehicle from inside the vestibule of Target, on Promenade Boulevard. See district-by-district changes proposed as part of the $834 million in school funding in Gov. Thomas A. Gallo was sworn in at the town council meeting. An Adamsville Road resident reported Feb. 6 that someone stole a motor vehicle from the driveway of his residence. . "When Bridgewater police found two youths fighting, the immediate reaction was to aggressively throw the Black child to the ground, knee placed around the neck area and cuffed behind the back. The man's car caught fire while delivering newspapers early Sunday morning, said fire officials. The video shows no sign of resistance from the Black teen. According to the report, at 1:11 p.m. Dec. 10, two Hispanic males shoplifted 17 pairs of designersunglasses from BRIDGEWATER, NJ - Bridgewater Township Police are investigating a report of an attempted shoplifting of power tools from the Home Depot, on Promenade Boulevard, according to a report from the police department. Officers' handling of Bridgewater Commons Mall fight sparks concerns of racial discrimination Feb 16, 2022, 10:14pm Updated on Feb 17, 2022 By: News 12 Staff Bridgewater Police Department - NJ | Bridgewater NJ The driver was hospitalized with a serious injury on Tuesday, said police. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Crump added: "ZKye was no more of a threat to those officers than the white teen who fought with him. According to police, at 3:16 p.m. Jan. RARITAN, NJ - The Raritan Borough Police Department is seeking the public's help to find three adults who did not pay their bill after dining at Char Steakhouse on Route 202. Dedicated to Service, Committed to Community. WEBINAR: Learn About Wills, Living Trusts and Nursing Home Asset Protection, Saint Joseph High School Annual Basket Raffle, School Bus Company Seeking Fleet Mechanic, Protect Your Home from Ticks with Yard Guard from Viking Pest, Now Hiring Front Counter Sales/Business Development, Bridgewater Area Pets Up For Adoption: Clara, Casper, Caleb & More, McDonald's Shamrock Shake Returns To Bridgewater, Patch's Playground Spotlight: North Branch Park, Somerville Coffee Shop Rebrands Itself Again, This Time For Good, Bridgewater Boy's Love Of Pokmon Grows Into Thriving Business, Defeated: Largest Development In Bridgewater's History Since Mall, Gourmet Breakfast & Lunch Caf Opens In Bridgewater. In 2021, then-Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal's ordered all New Jersey law-enforcement agencies to publicly release certain disciplinary info. The seasonal cult favorite has returned to McDonald's. Video of the . But it's the police response that some, including voices heard on the video and Gov. The winning name was chosen by sixth grader Timmy Miessler, of Branchburg, and Ruthanne Ungerleider, a BRIDGEWATER, NJ - A 25-year career police officer in Bridgewater Township, John Mitzak was sworn in Oct. 20 as the eighth police chief of the township department. It just doesnt make sense, she said. | Contact Us BRIDGEWATER - The township has found itself in the center of the national controversy over police use of force after a video showing two officers breaking up a fight between two teens, one. BRIDGEWATER, NJ - Bridgewater Township is one of many receiving a grant from the state for 2020 recycling efforts, according to a release. "Although an investigation is still gathering the facts about this incident, Im deeply disturbed by what appears to be racially disparate treatment in this video. They then begin pushing and shoving each other, a move that sends a couch sliding along the floor, and the Black teen is thrown to the floor. The white teen is placed onto the couch while the male officer tackles the Black teen to the ground, straddles his back and crosses his hands to handcuff him while the female officer appears to have her knee on his back. Just stay calm and not move and do what they tell me to do.. She said the officers' responses weren't "fair.". According to the report, at 3 p.m. Nov. 6, two suspects attempted to shoplift power BRIDGEWATER, NJ - Bridgewater Township Police released its police blotter for the week of April 26, with incidents from the end of March through mid-April. SC Sheriff's Officer Shane Rebuth was suspended for 7 days in 2021 for "Standard of Conduct." Sienna's . A Sherlin Drive resident reported Dec. 22 that their vehicle was stolen from their driveway. A former New Jersey police chief has a lot to say about a viral video showing a fight at the Bridgewater Commons Mall and . Im just glad it happened where there were a whole bunch of eyes on the situation, cause I dont know what would have happened.. Public safety:Tasers, hailed as a way to avoid deadly police shootings, are seldom used in NJ. The white teen is put on a nearby couch while the male officer tackles the Black teen to the ground, straddles his back and crosses his hands to handcuff him while the female officer appears to have her knee on his back. Carrier Clinic, Taxes in Retirement Seminar on March 7th and 9th at Raritan Valley Community College. Bridgewater police have called for an internal affairs investigation with assistance from the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office.