JACKSON – Township Council members recognized the loss of two murdered New York City police officers during the latest gathering of the governing body. The session included a promise by the mayor to increase the number of Jackson police.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the NYPD officers Jason Rivera and Wilbert Mora who were murdered in the line of duty in Harlem. It was so awful and tragic,” Councilman Nino Borrelli said.
“It is sickening what is happening in our country with an increase in crime. Please keep our police in your prayers as they work to keep us safe and secure 24/7. To the JPD, we have your back,” Councilman Borrelli added.
“My condolences also go out to the families of the officers. That was a murder, an assassination and ambush of those officers. It reminds us of how important a role the police play and as Councilman Borrelli mentioned this council has spoken about Jackson police on numerous occasions and I will say it again they are second to none in this state and certainly have the back of the governing body,” Councilman Alex Sauickie said.
He added, “it is unfortunate that there are incidents like that with the New York police that it has to remind folks of what these officers do every day and put their lives on the line.”
Mayor Michael Reina said, “let it be known that our response to defunding the police (referring to a national conversation that started in 2020 following Black Lives Matter protests) we will not only defend our police department, we will be hiring even more officers now.”
“We’re not going to do what a Democrat controlled city or Democrat appointed DA (District Attorney) will do and leave their law enforcement officers to the side. We’re going to stand behind them. We’re going to stand strong with them,” Reina added.
The mayor said Jackson would “build our department to be even stronger than it is right now. Public safety is going to be job one no matter what anyone says beyond these walls of Jackson. We will have a strong police department.”
Last year, the Jackson Township police department observed their 75th anniversary and also hired several additional officers to bring up the total of personnel, for the first time, to over 100.
Police Chief Matthew Kunz recently announced that the department had received state accreditation which is a very special status that several police departments and law enforcement agencies receive for a designated period of time for having reached the highest standards of policing.
Failed Bill Criticized
Councilman Steven Chisholm wanted to bring people’s attention “to yet another ridiculous Democrat government overreach from Trenton. Not that his anything new because almost everything they do is government overreach and mandates.”
“Why because they can’t influence you and just use common sense and have debate,” he added. “They like to force things on you. In this economy tell me why it is that you want to possibly raise everybody’s oil and gas bill and mandate that you redo your heating.”
Chisholm also noted another legislative effort. “In December (17th District) Senator Bob Smith from Crazy Town New Jersey introduced bill S-4273, this bill would require all businesses and private homeowners to throw away their perfectly good gas-powered leaf blowers because they are such a menace.”
“They are killing the environment. First it was plastic straws now it is leaf blowers. You will not only have to buy a new leaf blower which is perfectly working but you can be fined. After one year in service, they will make you throw away the ones that do work. Where are you going to put those if you are saving the environment? Are you throwing them in a landfill?” Chisholm asked.
Chisholm also asked, “where are you going to get these batteries (for the electric leaf blowers that would be required)? That’s right we’d have to go overseas. Let’s go get them from China. Thankfully this one was squashed but all bad legislation comes back so keep your eyes out, watch Bob Smith and watch Trenton.”
