TOMS RIVER – People staying in hotels and motels must now have their identity recorded by staff and provided to the police if asked, in response to illegal activities being done in local hotels.
According to the new ordinance, every guest staying in a hotel or motel must have their name and address written legibly. A government-issued photo identification and two other forms of ID are required. Telephone numbers, driver’s license number, and vehicle description must also be provided. The room number and time that they are staying must also be recorded.
Minors can not rent a room unless they have written permission from a parent or guardian. All of this information must also be made available if requested by police officers or code enforcers.
The ordinance also prevents anyone from staying in a room for less than 12 hours, or for more than 90 days. Switching rooms within the same hotel does not extend the 90 days.
Business administrator Paul Shives said the ordinance will be a tool to help police identify somebody staying there who might be suspected of illegal activity.
This ordinance follows two raids in local hotels by the Toms River Police Department’s Special Enforcement Team, and the Township’s Quality of Life Task Force.
The task force is made up of primarily police, fire, and code or zoning enforcement personnel. The goal, according to officials, is to come at a known problem area from all angles in order to improve the quality of life in town.
The first raid was at the Red Carpet Inn on West Water Street in October, where 15 arrests were made.
“The police have had hundreds of calls to that place,” Mayor Thomas Kelaher said.
The township would like to see it shut down, he said. Then, conduct a study on what could be done on that property. It’s in a key spot along the Toms River in the downtown area.
The other was in November, at the Americana Motel on Route 166, where ten people were arrested on drug offenses and warrants, police said. The building was also in violation of several fire codes.
The following were arrested and charged at the Americana:
Joel Cotto: 37, Pennsylvania Avenue, Waretown: Possession of CDS, Possession of CDS with intent to distribute
Lisamarie Narciso: 26, Attision Avenue, South Toms River: Possession of CDS, Possession of hypodermic syringe
Carl Disalvo: 65, Neptune Avenue, Beachwood: Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of hypodermic syringe
Alexander Salek: 29, Chadwick Avenue, Toms River: Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of hypodermic syringe
Donna Salek: 53, Chadwick Avenue, Toms River: Possession of CDS, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of hypodermic syringe
Caitlin Mayer: 29, Redwood Drive, Brick: Contempt of Court Warrants, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of hypodermic syringe
Craig Soltes: 42, 925 Rt. 166: Manager of Americana Motel: Possession of CDS, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of hypodermic syringe
Joseph Davis: 47, Boulevard, Seaside Heights: Contempt of Court Warrants – $500
Matthew Diaz: 53, Shadow Oaks Drive, Toms River: Contempt of Court Warrants – $2,500
Lennon Ambrose: 38, East Lacey Road, Forked River: Contempt of Court Warrants – $6,250
