661 were here. The incident follows a sordid history. The video has prompted the NAACP to call for the officers to be "removed" from the Bridgewater Police Department pending an investigation by the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General. The theme for the 2022 celebration is Fire RARITAN, NJ - The Raritan Borough Police Department is now an accredited law enforcement agency in New Jersey. The video cuts off at this point. Bridgewater Schools To Gain $1.1M In State Aid Next Year, Volunteers Needed For Raritan River Cleanup In Bridgewater, Bridgewater I-287 Pedestrian Crash Prompts Delays Thursday: DOT, 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!! Richard T. Smith, president of the NAACP New Jersey State Conference, called for the immediate removalof the officers pending an investigation. In the area of milepost 16, the front of the Volkswagen struck and killed Hernandez, according to the preliminary investigation. Dedicated to Service, Committed to Community. To register complaints about emails from TAPinto.net, please email, Fire District Budgets Pass in Annual Elections, According to Unofficial Results, Crim Students Welcome Bridgewater Officers, Security Officers for National Law Enforcement Appreciation, Settlement Reached in Lawsuit Filed Against Raritan Borough, Raritan Police Following Death of Matias Ortega in 2018, Bridgewater Introducing Phase 1 of BridgewaterSHIELD Program, Bridgewater Fire District Elections to be Held Feb. 18, Moench: Delay in Report on February 2022 Bridgewater Mall Incident Rests With Trenton, Not Bridgewater, Attorney General May Release Own Report on February 2022 Incident at Bridgewater Commons Mall, Prosecutor Reveals Motive in Killing of Employee Outside PSEG in Somerset, Bridgewater Township: Attorney General Concludes Investigation Into February 2022 Mall Incident, District Releases Information on Possible Cybersecurity Breach Involving Personal Information of Employees, County Prosecutor: Washington Man Dies of Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound in Bridgewater After Shooting Man in Franklin, No Updates 1 Year After Bridgewater Commons Mall Incident, Flemington Arrested for Breaking Window, Stealing Packages at Closed Raritan Restaurant, Raritan Police Seeking Three Adults Who Didn't Pay Bill at Char Steakhouse, South Bound Brook Man Arrested for Hitting McDonalds Employee With Rock, Two Somerville Teens Arrested After Shots Fired From Pellet Gun at Bridgewater Commons Mall, Police: Robbinsville Man Taken to Hospital Following Motor Vehicle Crash on Chimney Rock Road Tuesday, Bridgewater Officers Promoted to Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, Portion of Washington Valley Road Closed Due to Wires Down Following Car Accident, Bridgewater Police: Car Stolen From Resident's Driveway Thursday Afternoon, District Computer Services Restored, BRHS Principal Notes Rumors About Threat at School are False, Bridgewater Police: Rumors of Threat to Bridgewater-Raritan High School are False, Bridgewater Police Reminding Residents to be Mindful of Valuables When Out Shopping, County's New K9 Given New Name Following Contest, John Mitzak Sworn in as New Bridgewater Police Chief, Parents Express Concerns About Safety at Pedestrian Intersections Near BRHS, Moench to Recommend New Bridgewater Police Chief at Monday Council Meeting, Bridgewater Township Acknowledges Fire Prevention Week, Raritan Police Department Now Named an Accredited Law Enforcement Agency. We endeavor to reduce crime along with the fear of it, through cooperative interaction with the community. Gov. Crump identified the white teen as an 11th grader. 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. International Womens Day Event! The female officer appears to place her. Black teen handcuffed by police at mall while white teen was scared of what could've happened. Authorities are searching several states for the veteran, who may be in severe emotional distress and in need of medical help. 2023 Bridgewater Police Department. A pair of New Jersey police officers are facing criticism for how they responded to a fight between teenagers at a shopping mall. Violation of the Employee Handbook concerning the use of Township vehicles. Hospitality Opportunities in Food Services, Housekeeping And Others! . The video shows no sign of resistance from the Black teen. New Jersey: After Bridgewater Commons mall fight, NAACP calls for police officers removal. 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. Authorities identified Gary T. Curtis, 58, of Washington, as the man who fatally shot Russell D. BRIDGEWATER, NJ - Bridgewater Township has confirmed that the states investigation into the incident at the Bridgewater Commons Mall in February 2022 has been closed. Phil Murphy, are questioning as racially motivated. 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. Z'Kye's family has retained civil rights attorney Ben Crump, the law firm announced Thursday. The Bridgewater Police Department addressed the incident Monday in a statement on its Facebook page. Smith said the state conference was disappointed to see police actions "irrefutably showing the disparate treatment of African-Americans in our police institutions.". That video says it all," he said. Phil Murphy said. Brendan M. Heffernan, 46, of Maplewood, Copyright 2023 TAP IP LLC, All rights reserved. All rights reserved. Public safety:Tasers, hailed as a way to avoid deadly police shootings, are seldom used in NJ. 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. Martin was convicted of driving while intoxicated(DWI) while on duty. Toll Free: (800) 544-3318. Route 22 East was closed for about an hour on Monday morning as a result, said Bridgewater Police. New Jersey State Police and Finderne Volunteer Firefighters came out to the snowy scene to help early Tuesday morning. Phil Murphy's school aid plan for the 2023-24 school year. BRIDGEWATER, NJ - Bridgewater Township is one of many receiving a grant from the state for 2020 recycling efforts, according to a release. The video shows two male teens, one Black and the other white, having an argument before pointing fingers at each other. Hire A Bridgewater Area Pro To Get A Head Start On Spring Cleaning! Police Blotter; Emergency Alert; About Us. "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/. Franklin Township Officer Dexter McKelvin was suspended for 60 days in 2021 for "Lacked Integrity, failed to call out sick and report for duty." "Except to say that I am completely confident that the prosecutor's review will be impartial, objective and thorough," Moench said. Raritan Police said Scott Edge, 47, of Flemington, was found sitting at the bar smoking a cigarette while the restaurant was closed. Even through there was rightful anger and passion, folks had gotten a sense of a rhythm with each other," Murphy said. A resident of Schindler Terrace reported Aug. 27 that their Black Mongoose bicycle was stolen from in front of their home. The Bridgewater Police Department, with seventy-eight officers, serves and protects a diverse residential population of over 45,000 persons. They were two different reporting periods per the AGs reporting requirements, however, the suspension was consecutive," said Bernards Township Police Chief Michael Shimsky. After several seconds of punching, two uniformed Bridgewater police officers ran onto the scene and pulled the two apart. This is another example of the kind of racial bias that we need to root out of our system of policing. The video has sparked calls for the firing of the two police officers, including at a Saturday protest outside Bridgewater Township police headquarters. By: News 12 Staff A viral video of two Bridgewater police officers responding to a fight between two teens at the Bridgewater Commons Mall has angered and disturbed many people. Two dirt bikes and a catalytic converter were also stolen within the last month in the township, according to police. Download here. Mitzak has been BRIDGEWATER, NJ - The second week of October will mark Fire Prevention Week in Bridgewater Township, from Oct. 9 through Oct. 15. BRIDGEWATER, NJ - Bridgewater Township Police have released a police blotter from the middle of October through the end of November. Bridgewater Township Mayor Matthew Moench acknowledged the video Tuesday, and New Jersey Gov. The township council unveiled a proclamation in honor of the event, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Bridgewater Police Department - NJ | Bridgewater NJ Video shows officers handcuffed and restrained a. Carrier Clinic, Taxes in Retirement Seminar on March 7th and 9th at Raritan Valley Community College. 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. Were committed to increasing trust between law enforcement and the people they serve. Somerset County 4-H Fair and theSomerset County July 4th Celebration. Reporting for duty under the influence of alcohol. 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. Contact Us All results are expected to be certified Feb. 23. When your child was young, visiting the pediatrician was quite an event. Copyright 2023 TAP IP LLC, All rights reserved. "The time for the governor and attorney general to put a stop to this type of behavior by the police is now," Smith said in a news release. 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. Local businesses will be supplied with naloxone and opioid education and training should a life-threatening emergency arise. Racially motivated.. His mother, Ebon, who only shared her first name to NBC New York, was outraged. Matt Kemper, who worked at his family's former business Kemper Pontiac Cadillac, was last seen in Las Vegas on Jan. 5. RARITAN, NJ - Raritan Borough Police have released the police blotter for the end of October and beginning of November. "Same offense, suspension until ultimate resignation. A business on East Main Street reported April 20 at 8:33 a.m. that someone stole catalytic converters from five of their vehicles, which were parked in a rear parking BRIDGEWATER, NJ - Bridgewater Township Police have released the police blotter for April 7, including motor vehicle burglary reports and DWI arrests. 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. Although there have been no credible threats in Bridgewater Township and New Jersey associated with social media posts circulating that reference a supposed "National Day of Hate" on Saturday,. In district one, which is the Martinsville Volunteer Fire Company, the $616,197.38 budget passed by a vote of 314 to BRIDGEWATER, NJ - The students and staff at Crim Primary School had a first-hand experienced when they celebrated National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day Jan. 9. The man's car caught fire while delivering newspapers early Sunday morning, said fire officials. Have a news tip? A driver involved in a Friday morning crash with a utility pole on Route 202 in Branchburg was hospitalized, officials said. Terms of Use Matt Kemper had gone missing on Jan. 5 and was last seen in Las Vegas, Nevada. February 16, 2022 at 11:12 a.m. EST Authorities are investigating how police in Bridgewater Township, N.J., responded to a weekend mall fight. The teen and his mother could not be reached for comment Wednesday. ", Discipline:NJ AG reveals names of cops who have been suspended, demoted, terminated. New Jersey police department calls for investigation after viral video. One officer pushed the white teen into a seated position on the couch, according to the video. According to Superintendent Robert Beers, the district experienced a service disruption Monday that BRIDGEWATER, NJ - Rumors about a threat to Bridgewater-Raritan High School are completely unsubstantiated, according to Bridgewater Police Lt. Kevin Lamey. Bridgewater Township Municipal Building 100 Commons Way, Bridgewater, NJ 08807 (908) 725-6300 Monday- Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM According to the release, on Dec. 12, the district detected BRIDGEWATER, NJ - A suspect in a homicide investigation died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a parking lot in Bridgewater Township Wednesday morning after allegedly shooting a man in the parking lot of PSEG in Somerset, according to a release from Somerset County Prosecutor John BRIDGEWATER, NJ - Nearly a year after the incident at the Bridgewater Commons Mall Feb. 12, 2022, there is still no update on the investigation into a video on social media of officers breaking up a fight and arresting only the darker skinned boy. "ZKye, an 8th grader, was noble to defend his friend from bullies; however, it is evident that officers immediately assumed that because of the color of ZKyes skin, him acting nobly was not even in the realm of possibility. Volunteer firefighters in Bridgewater rescued a cat from a burning home Friday afternoon, officials said. Phone: (908) 722-4111 Fax: (908) 722-8246. New Jersey State Police and Finderne Volunteer Firefighters came out to the snowy scene to help early Tuesday morning. Failure to conduct himself with high ethical standards. Franchise TAP. A victim reported Sept. 15 that their vehicle had been burglarized while it was parked in the lot of Seasons 52, on Commons Way. 202 Crash With Utility Pole In Branchburg: EMS, Car Stolen While Resident Was Unloading Items In Bridgewater, Catalytic Converter, Purses, Packages Stolen In Bridgewater, Police Crackdown On Drunk, Impaired Drivers In Somerset County, Combating Opioid Overdoses: Somerset County Gives Away Naloxone, 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!! 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. Parks and trails will be closed at the Bridgewater park due to firearm use, officials said. You had to load up the car Come and see 15 Morningside Road in Verona; open house 3/4 1-3pm and 3/5 1-4pm. In district 1, which is the Martinsville Volunteer Fire Company, the total operating budget is set at $616,197.38, with the amount to be raised by taxation set at BRIDGEWATER, NJ - Mayor Matthew Moench responded Friday to a statement from the attorney generals office regarding the investigation into the February 2022 incident at the Bridgewater Commons Mall, saying the fault for the delay in the report lies with Trenton, not Bridgewater. The Bridgewater Police Department, with seventy-eight officers, serves and protects a diverse residential population of over 45,000 persons. A car pulled over and left the dog on the side of the road earlier this month, said police. Scott Edge, 47, was charged with criminal mischief, theft and trespassing. Read more Parents Express. We talked about thepride we had post the murder of George Floyd, we had thousands of demonstrations and very, very few incidents. During his COVID-19 news conference on Wednesday, Murphy reiterated his concern for the apparent racially disparate treatment in the video. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters. We have to let the investigation play out. Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. pic.twitter.com/ThJPQFNEzO. BRIDGEWATER, NJ For the second time, the New Jersey Attorney General's Office publicly released all the names of New Jersey police officers who were subject to "major discipline" in. A Sherlin Drive resident reported Dec. 22 that their vehicle was stolen from their driveway. a video showing twoofficers breaking up a fight between two teens, one Black and one white, at Bridgewater Commons over the weekend went viral, Black teen restrained by police in Bridgewater fight hires George Floyd's family lawyer, Tasers, hailed as a way to avoid deadly police shootings, are seldom used in NJ, NJ AG reveals names of cops who have been suspended, demoted, terminated, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. "To deepen that trust and walk in the other guy's shoes, I think we've made an enormous amount of progress. The fire broke out on Sunday in the Finderne section of Bridgewater Township. Both ZKye and the other teen involved have been banned from the mall for three years, Bridgewater Commonssaid to NBC News in a statement. South Bound Brook childrens book author Apara Mahal Sylvester's new book, Mousies Way Home, focuses on the plight of feral cats. The township postponed the town hall meeting as nationwide attention focused on Bridgewater. Before the New Jersey Supreme Court decision, the Garden State shielded the identities of officers disciplined or fired from the public. Proudly created withWix.com. Privacy Policy 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. But it's the police response that some, including voices heard on the video and Gov. Homeowner injured, pets die in Hillsborough townhouse fire: police. Carrier Clinic, Taxes in Retirement Seminar on March 7th and 9th at Raritan Valley Community College. As police arrive a female and male officer grabthe white teen off the Black teen. The post says police have received videos from community members and asks that anyone who has a video of the incident to email it totips@bridgewaterpd.com. 0:57. To register complaints about emails from TAPinto.net, please email. 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. Z'Kye said of being restrained: I was, like, calm, because I knew not to be scared. "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. The Bridgewater Mall Fight is the clearest example of how police actively use race as a shorthand for who they perceive as a threat.See for yourself. Two people reported being shot in the head by a BB or pellet gun in separate shootings at the mall in January, said police. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. To get unlimited access to her work,please subscribe or activate your digitalaccount today. 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. 2023 www.mycentraljersey.com. . For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. To register complaints about emails from TAPinto.net, please email, Bridgewater Police Release Police Blotter, With Car Thefts, Shoplifting Incidents, Bridgewater Police Release Blotter With DWI, Burglary Charges, Bridgewater Police Release New Blotter, Including Thefts, DWI Reports, Raritan Police Blotter Include Arrests for Lewdness, Alcohol Possession, More, Bridgewater Police Blotter Includes Theft, DWI Charges, Bridgewater Police Release New Police Blotter, with Burglaries, DWI, More, Bridgewater Police Blotter Includes Arrests for DWI, Reports of Vehicle Burglaries, Bridgewater Police Release Police Blotter, With Arrests for Shoplifting DWI Since April, Bridgewater Police Blotter Includes Motor Vehicle Thefts, DWI Charges, Bridgewater Police Report DWIs, Burglaries, Thefts in March 10 Police Blotter, Raritan Police: Be Careful of Fraudulent Calls Demanding Money, Bridgewater Police Investigating Shoplifting Incidents at Nordstrom Rack, Macy's, Bridgewater Police Investigating Shoplifting Attempt at Home Depot, DWI, Shoplifting, Other Charges in Bridgewater Police Blotter. He said increasing trust between police and the community has been a hallmark of his administration from day one. These officers need to be reprimanded and retrained to overcome the implicit bias that results in unequal and often dangerous treatment of Black people.. BRIDGEWATER, NJ - The attorney general's office released an official statement Friday regarding the February 2022 police response at the Bridgewater Commons Mall, and said that although it. The police department's post generated more than 200 comments, some questioning why both teens weren't restrained, or if the fight could have been broken up without the use of handcuffs. BRIDGEWATER, NJ - The Bridgewater Township Police Department released its police blotter for the end of December and early January. Thomas Gallo took the oath of office during the Jan. 19 Township Council meeting. A Bridgewater Officer was also named to this list. New Jersey Attorney General's Office investigation into Bridgewater Police's handling of a teen mall fight in February 2022 is complete. Social media postings have drawn law enforcement attention nationally, Bridgewater Township Police said, but no real threat has been found. Black teen restrained by police in NJ mall fight video hires George Floyd's family lawyer, After Bridgewater Commons mall fight, NAACP calls for police officers removal, Tasers, hailed as a way to avoid deadly police shootings, are seldom used in NJ, NJ AG reveals names of cops who have been suspended, demoted, terminated, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Martin reportedly has since resigned from the police department. 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!! 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. 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. 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. Bridgewater found itself in the eye of a media storm after a 15-second video went viral of a fight between two teenagers at Bridgewater Commons that was broken up by two township police. "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.