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Public Safety

ICE's Controversial Plans To Expand NJ Detention Centers Revealed By ACLU ICE's Controversial Plans To Expand NJ Detention Centers Revealed By ACLU
ICE's Controversial Plans To Expand NJ Detention Centers Revealed By ACLU U.S. Immigration and Customers Enforcement( ICE) is exploring plans to expand immigration detention facilities in New Jersey, potentially adding 600 beds across the state, according to documents obtained by the ACLU through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit. The revelations come as concerns mount over President-elect Donald Trump’s promise of a large-scale deportation and detention program. Advocates have criticized the Biden administration for enabling this expansion, warning it could pave the way for sweeping actions against immigrant communities. Two facilities under considerat…
Wildfire Near Large South Jersey Sculpture Deemed Suspicious, State Police Investigating Wildfire Near Large South Jersey Sculpture Deemed Suspicious, State Police Investigating
Wildfire Near Large South Jersey Sculpture Deemed Suspicious, State Police Investigating Troopers were asking for the public's help after a wildfire near a well-known sculpture in Hainesport was ruled suspicious, authorities said. State police have launched an investigation into the Big Rusty Wildfire, troopers said in a Facebook post on Thursday, Nov. 21. The blaze that ignited near Bancroft Lane and Cove Court on Monday, Nov. 18 scorched 40 acres and threatened 20 homes. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service said no evacuations were needed and the wildfire was fully contained by 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 20. Crews have remained on-site to monitor the area for flare-…
NJ Youth Soccer Coach Admits To Sexually Exploiting Players, Prosecutors Say NJ Youth Soccer Coach Admits To Sexually Exploiting Players, Prosecutors Say
NJ Youth Soccer Coach Admits To Sexually Exploiting Players, Prosecutors Say A Union Beach youth soccer coach admitted to molesting two players and sending sexual pictures to several others, authorities said. Ryan Gunsauls, 33, pleaded guilty during a hearing in superior court, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Monday, Nov. 18. The investigation began in May when a teen reported Gunsauls had asked for and shared sexually explicit material through a social media app. As the case developed, eight additional victims between 11 and 17 years old were identified. Gunsauls was held in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution an…
South Jersey Man Who Killed GF With Toilet Tank Cover, Belt On Her Birthday Sentenced: Feds South Jersey Man Who Killed GF With Toilet Tank Cover, Belt On Her Birthday Sentenced: Feds
South Jersey Man Who Killed GF With Toilet Tank Cover, Belt On Her Birthday Sentenced: Feds A New Jersey man will spend up to a quarter-century in prison after admitting to brutally killing his girlfriend in a Washington, D.C. hotel, authorities said. William Barrett, 69, of Mount Holly, was sentenced on Friday, Oct. 25 to 25 years in prison, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia said in a news release on Monday, Oct. 28. He was arrested in the killing of 36-year-old Romaine Maddox, a resident of the northeast quadrant of D.C. According to trial evidence, Barrett and Maddox checked into Ivy City Hotel on New York Avenue, Northeast at around 7 p.m. …
'My Mom Didn't Deserve This': Duo Killed South Jersey Woman In Double Shooting, Prosecutors Say 'My Mom Didn't Deserve This': Duo Killed South Jersey Woman In Double Shooting, Prosecutors Say
'My Mom Didn't Deserve This': Duo Killed South Jersey Woman In Double Shooting, Prosecutors Say Two people from Vineland were accused of shooting and killing a Bridgeton mother in Vineland, authorities said. Bonnie Hitchens, 41, died in the shooting on Saturday, Oct. 26, Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae said in a news release on Monday, Oct. 28. Officers arrested Eric Bundy-Johnson and Francessca Delvalle, both 34 years old, in the case. Millville police responded to two people suffering from gunshot wounds in a vehicle near Alpha and Omega Food Market and Laundromat on East Green Street at around 10:37 a.m. Hitchens was found unresponsive in the passenger's seat with …
Throngs Of Unruly Teens Break Up NJ Haunted Hayride Event, Police Say Throngs Of Unruly Teens Break Up NJ Haunted Hayride Event, Police Say
Throngs Of Unruly Teens Break Up NJ Haunted Hayride Event, Police Say About 200 teens and young adults caused chaos at a PTA-sponsored hayride in Collingswood, authorities said. The large group was dropped off by several vehicles on the outskirts of Knight Park on Saturday, Oct. 19, the Collingswood Police Department said in a Facebook post. The teens and young adults started fighting each other, ran recklessly through the crowd, and cut in line for the Haunted Hayride. Officers at the event broke up the unruly teens and other Camden County police departments were called in to help. "To ensure the safety of those in attendance, the decision was mad…
Family Plans Lawsuit After NJ Transit Train Operator Killed By Fallen Tree Family Plans Lawsuit After NJ Transit Train Operator Killed By Fallen Tree
Family Plans Lawsuit After NJ Transit Train Operator Killed By Fallen Tree The family of the New Jersey Transit train operator killed by a fallen tree is planning to sue several organizations for negligence, an attorney said. Jessica Haley of Levittown, Pennsylvania, was identified as the person who died in the crash, according to a news release from the Anapol Weiss law firm on Thursday, Oct. 15. The single mother of three boys was 41 years old. Haley was operating a River LINE train heading north from Trenton at around 6 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 14. The light rail train struck a tree that had fallen on the tracks south of the Roebling station in Mansfield …
Man, 34, Beaten To Death In Central Jersey Street Fight: Prosecutors Man, 34, Beaten To Death In Central Jersey Street Fight: Prosecutors
Man, 34, Beaten To Death In Central Jersey Street Fight: Prosecutors A New Brunswick man was beaten to death in the city over the weekend, authorities said. Oscar Sanchez, 34, died on Sunday, Oct. 13, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone said in a news release on Tuesday, Oct. 15. New Brunswick police responded to a 911 call on Comstock Street at around 3:03 a.m. Officers found Sanchez unconscious and performed CPR on him. He was rushed to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Investigators said Sanchez had been in a fight and suffered serious injuries. "It has been determined that this i…
Smoke Expected To Linger For Days After NJ Forest Fire Smoke Expected To Linger For Days After NJ Forest Fire
Smoke Expected To Linger For Days After NJ Forest Fire A 30-acre forest fire has been contained, however, smoke could linger across parts of South Jersey for days, fire officials said. The fire broke out on Friday, Oct. 11 along Heath Road in the Tamarac section of Medford Township, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said. It consumed up to 30 acres by the time it was fully contained on Saturday, Oct. 12. "Smoke is expected to remain present until significant rain falls over the fire area," the agency said. "Forest Fire Service staff will remain on scene and continue to monitor control lines and address areas of concern until significant…
NJ Transit Light Rail Driver, Four Passengers Injured In South Jersey Crash NJ Transit Light Rail Driver, Four Passengers Injured In South Jersey Crash
NJ Transit Light Rail Driver, Four Passengers Injured In South Jersey Crash Five people were injured when a New Jersey Transit light rail train crashed into a truck in Burlington Township, officials said. Four passengers and the train's operator suffered injuries on Friday, Oct. 11, a NJ Transit spokesperson said. The crash happened near Dulty’s Lane Crossing at around 6:10 a.m. All five injured people were expected to survive their injuries. There were 36 customers on board the train. The River LINE was temporarily suspended between the Burlington Town Center and Florence stations. Service has resumed with up to 15-minute delays. NJ Transit police are inve…
Football Game Fight: Winslow PD Release Photos Of 11 Suspects Being Sought Football Game Fight: Winslow PD Release Photos Of 11 Suspects Being Sought
Football Game Fight: Winslow PD Release Photos Of 11 Suspects Being Sought Winslow police said they are attempting to locate 11 suspects who were involved in a fight following a football game on Friday, Oct. 4. Numerous fights broke out in the aftermath of the Winslow High School-Camden High School football game, with altercations occurring in the parking lots and on the front lawn of the school, police said. Mutual aid was provided from neighboring police departments, officers said. No injuries were reported, police said. Five arrests were made on scene, police said. The 11 at-large suspects were captured on video directly involved in the melee, police said…
Videos Show Crowds Waiting For Trump Hours Ahead Of PA Visit, Major Traffic Delays Could Follow Videos Show Crowds Waiting For Trump Hours Ahead Of PA Visit, Major Traffic Delays Could Follow
Videos Show Crowds Waiting For Trump Hours Ahead Of PA Visit, Major Traffic Delays Could Follow Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump won't be in Reading for another eight hours or so, but crowds of people are already lining up to see him. Trump will be holding a campaign rally at Santander Arena Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 8 p.m. (scroll for traffic impacts). Videos posted to X show the crowds waiting outside of the area. Big line in Reading, PA to see President Trump more than eight hours before he’s scheduled to speak tonight.Reading is a Latino-majority city.Trump is scheduled to speak in Scranton earlier today. pic.twitter.com/1npqA8yIjI — Daniel Baldwin (@baldwin_daniel_) …
Fights Break Out After Camden, Winslow High School Football Game, Arrests Made: Police Fights Break Out After Camden, Winslow High School Football Game, Arrests Made: Police
Fights Break Out After Camden, Winslow High School Football Game, Arrests Made: Police One adult and several children were arrested after a fight broke out following the completion of a Camden High School-Winslow Township High School football game on Friday, Oct. 4. The fights occurred in the parking lot and front lawn of Winslow Township High School, police said. Mutual aid was provided from neighboring police departments, officers said. No injuries were reported, police said. Detectives are reviewing security and body camera footage for further identification of suspects and additional criminal charges, police said. Parents may also be held accountable, police said. "…
Suspect Wanted After Double Shooting Near Rutgers-New Brunswick Campus Suspect Wanted After Double Shooting Near Rutgers-New Brunswick Campus
Suspect Wanted After Double Shooting Near Rutgers-New Brunswick Campus Police were investigating after two men were shot in a New Brunswick neighborhood near the Rutgers University campus, authorities said. Officers responded to the shooting on Jones Avenue between Comstock and Hale streets at around 11:17 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 30, the New Brunswick city government said in a Facebook post. Investigators said two groups were fighting when a suspect from one group fired shots at the other one. Two New Brunswick men, ages 27 and 26, were brought to a nearby hospital. They were expected to survive their injuries. The Rutgers University Police Depar…
New Jersey Hospital Worker, Nursing Student Arrested In Dangerous Car Rally New Jersey Hospital Worker, Nursing Student Arrested In Dangerous Car Rally
New Jersey Hospital Worker, Nursing Student Arrested In Dangerous Car Rally An illegal car meetup with fires and a police officer nearly being struck has led to two more arrests — this time of people from outside the Philadelphia suburbs, police announced on Saturday, Sept. 28.  Alexis Boyce, 20 of Englishtown, NJ, turned herself into Philadelphia Police at 600 Arch Street at 11:15 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 27, and Albert Woynar, 18 of Pittsburgh, was arrested by Pennsylvania State Troopers later that day, Philadelphia Police detailed in the release. Both were wanted in connection with a 50-car meetup in the 7400 block of Bustleton Avenue on Saturday, Se…
Repeat Offender Convicted In Trenton Shooting That Paralyzed Man, Prosecutors Say Repeat Offender Convicted In Trenton Shooting That Paralyzed Man, Prosecutors Say
Repeat Offender Convicted In Trenton Shooting That Paralyzed Man, Prosecutors Say A Trenton man was found guilty of shooting and paralyzing another man more than two years ago, authorities said. A jury convicted 40-year-old Henry Hutchinson on all counts on Wednesday, Sept. 25, Acting Mercer County Prosecutor Theresa Hilton said in a news release. He was indicted in a shooting that happened at around 11 p.m. on Saturday, July 16, 2022. Investigators said Hutchinson shot a 38-year-old man twice on the 100 block of Chambers Street. "After the victim fell to the ground, Hutchinson stood over him and shot him a third time," said Hilton. "The victim was rendered a …
Man Exposed Himself To Woman On Rutgers Bus, Police Say Man Exposed Himself To Woman On Rutgers Bus, Police Say
Man Exposed Himself To Woman On Rutgers Bus, Police Say Rutgers University police were looking for a man who flashed a woman on a bus, authorities said. The woman "affiliated" with Rutgers reported the incident happened at around 3:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 23, the university's police department said in a community message. The victim was standing on a bus running on the Livingston Campus in Piscataway. The woman said the man exposed his genitals, "intentionally maintaining direct contact with her clothed buttocks." She confronted the man and he immediately got off the bus on Rockafeller Road. The victim wasn't injured during the incident. …
Naked Man Harassed Women, Touched Himself At NJ Apartment Complex, Police Say Naked Man Harassed Women, Touched Himself At NJ Apartment Complex, Police Say
Naked Man Harassed Women, Touched Himself At NJ Apartment Complex, Police Say Police were looking for a man who had been harassing women while naked in a South Brunswick apartment complex, authorities said. The South Brunswick Police Department said a man has been approaching women at least five times in the parking lot of the Royal Oaks & East Garden Apartment Homes since July. The only article of clothing the suspect wore was a ski mask. Investigators said the man goes up to the women and "aggressively manipulates his waist area." The man has also approached women on a nearby trail. While previous incidents have happened between 11 p.m. and 12:30 a.m., the mos…
PA Man Accused Of Drugging, Assaulting Women He Met On Sugar Daddy Site, DA Says PA Man Accused Of Drugging, Assaulting Women He Met On Sugar Daddy Site, DA Says
PA Man Accused Of Drugging, Assaulting Women He Met On Sugar Daddy Site, DA Says At least six women are known to have been sexually assaulted after going out with a man they met on an online dating site who ended up drugging them, District Attorney Jennifer Schorn and Bristol Township Police Chief Robert Coulton announced on Wednesday, Sept. 11.  Andrew Gallo, 40, of Copper Beech Lane, Bristol Township, was charged with five counts of rape by causing impairment, six counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, four counts of strangulation, two counts of selling or furnishing liquor or malt or brewed beverage to minors, and one count each of s…
Campfire Accidentally Sparked Huge Wildfire Near Jersey Shore Neighborhood: Investigators Campfire Accidentally Sparked Huge Wildfire Near Jersey Shore Neighborhood: Investigators
Campfire Accidentally Sparked Huge Wildfire Near Jersey Shore Neighborhood: Investigators An illegal and abandoned campfire started a massive wildfire that burned for three days in Ocean County, authorities said. Investigators determined the wildfire was accidentally started by "an unknown person(s) improperly extinguishing a campfire," Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release on Wednesday, Sept. 11. The roughly 189-acre wildfire burned near Fishers Pit, a sand and gravel pit in the Bayville section of Berkeley Township. In its final update, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said the wildfire was 100 percent contained a…
Sidewalk Save: Bodycam Footage Shows Hightstown Officers Saving Choking Baby Sidewalk Save: Bodycam Footage Shows Hightstown Officers Saving Choking Baby
Sidewalk Save: Bodycam Footage Shows Hightstown Officers Saving Choking Baby Newly-released body-worn camera footage shows two New Jersey police officers saving a choking baby. Hightstown Officers Daniel Abbatemarco and Kenneth Larsen responded to a call of a choking baby girl on March 31. Upon arrival, they were met by a man holding the girl. Larsen arrived on scene and quickly performed the Infant Heimlich Maneuver on the girl, who was breathing again in a matter of seconds. Meanwhile, Abbatemarco and Larsen comforted the man holding her and a woman crying at the scene. "She's breathing, she's clear," the officers say. "Let's let out a cry sweetheart!" …
Woman Critically Injured, Man Arrested In Unprovoked Asbury Park Stabbing: Prosecutors Woman Critically Injured, Man Arrested In Unprovoked Asbury Park Stabbing: Prosecutors
Woman Critically Injured, Man Arrested In Unprovoked Asbury Park Stabbing: Prosecutors An Asbury Park man was accused of critically injuring a woman in an unprovoked stabbing on Labor Day, authorities said. Travis Cavanaugh, 39, was arrested in the case, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Wednesday, Sept. 4. Asbury Park police responded to the 500 block of Asbury Avenue for a report of a stabbing on Monday, Sept. 2.  Officers found the woman suffering from several stab wounds and bystanders were giving her aid. The woman was rushed to a hospital and she was listed in critical condition. Investigators said …
Fishing Boat Accident Closes Two Mile Bridge Fishing Boat Accident Closes Two Mile Bridge
Fishing Boat Accident Closes Two Mile Bridge The Middle Thorofare Two Mile Bridge was closed due to a boat crash on Saturday, Aug. 31, officials said. Wildwood Crest Mayor Don Cabrera posted a statement around 6:15 a.m. saying the 85-year-old bridge was struck by a fishing vessel. It had not reopened as of 9 a.m. "If you are traveling from the Wildwoods or into Wildwood’s early this morning and plan to use this bridge you may want to take alternate routes," the mayor said. The bridge had been closed earlier this month after the drive shaft broke.
Wayward Bullet Strikes Resident In Home Near Camden County Dispute: Prosecutor Wayward Bullet Strikes Resident In Home Near Camden County Dispute: Prosecutor
Wayward Bullet Strikes Resident In Home Near Camden County Dispute: Prosecutor A 67-year-old woman was struck by a wayward bullet that was inadvertently fired into her home in Camden County, authorities said. A 51-year-old man from Gloucester City has been arrested for firing the shot during an argument, they said. Francisco Griffin was charged with aggravated assault and weapons offenses after the shooting, according to Camden County Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay and Gloucester City Police Chief Brian Morrell. On Monday, Aug. 27, at approximately 10:50 p.m., officers from the Gloucester City Police Department were dispatched to the 600 block of Hunter Stree…
Michele Rhodes, 55, ID'd As Woman Who Died At Elizabethtown Fair: Coroner Michele Rhodes, 55, ID'd As Woman Who Died At Elizabethtown Fair: Coroner
Michele Rhodes, 55, ID'd As Woman Who Died At Elizabethtown Fair: Coroner The woman who died following a "medical emergency" at the Elizabethtown Fair on Tuesday, August 20 has been identified by the Lancaster County Coroner's Office.  Michele Rhodes, 55, of Akron, PA, and originally from Mount Holly, NJ, choked to death at the Elizabethtown Fair, Chief Deputy Coroner Eric Bieber explained and as detailed in her obituary posted by Roseboro Stradling Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc., Denver.  Police officers were eating lunch at the fair located at 900 East High Street in Elizabethtown Borough when the incident began at 12:55 p.m. Aug. 20, as Da…
Woman Charged For Breaking Into Tiger Enclosure At NJ Zoo, Police Say Woman Charged For Breaking Into Tiger Enclosure At NJ Zoo, Police Say
Woman Charged For Breaking Into Tiger Enclosure At NJ Zoo, Police Say A Millville woman was accused of hopping a fence at a Bridgeton zoo and trying to pet a Bengal tiger, authorities said. Zyair Dennis, 24, was charged with one count of defiant trespassing, the Bridgeton Police Department said in a news release on Monday, Aug. 26. She was also cited for two violations of city ordinances about people climbing fences at Cohanzick Zoo. Investigators said Dennis went into the restricted area near the zoo's tiger and bear enclosures on Sunday, Aug. 18. Police began investigating after the city's recreation department received video from other …
NJ Paraprofessional Convinced Student To Send Nudes, Suggested They Have Sex: Police NJ Paraprofessional Convinced Student To Send Nudes, Suggested They Have Sex: Police
NJ Paraprofessional Convinced Student To Send Nudes, Suggested They Have Sex: Police A 42-year-old high school paraprofessional from Burlington County has been arrested after authorities say he tried to convince a student to have sex. Michael Van Kline, of Lumberton, who worked at Seneca High School in Tabernacle, used social media to converse with the student, Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw said. Van Kline convinced the student to send him nude photos and suggested the two meet to have sex, Bradshaw said. The investigation began after authorities got a tip that Van Kline may have been inappropriately communicating with a student electronically, the p…
Boy Airlifted After Stepping On Hot Coals Illegally Dumped On NJ Beach, Officials Say Boy Airlifted After Stepping On Hot Coals Illegally Dumped On NJ Beach, Officials Say
Boy Airlifted After Stepping On Hot Coals Illegally Dumped On NJ Beach, Officials Say A boy was airlifted to a hospital after officials say he stepped on hot coals that had been illegally dumped on a New Jersey beach. Paramedics and EMTs from Sea Bright and Robert Wood Johnson were called to Sandy Hook near Guardian Park, where they found the boy with burns to both feet around 2:45 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13, Gateway National Recreation Area spokeswoman Daphne Yun said. Witnesses said the child had stepped on hot coals that had been illegally dumped between rocks in the area, Yun said. The child was flown by Hackensack Meridian to a local burn center, and the area wher…
Intruder Breaks Into Tiger Enclosure, Nearly Gets Bitten At South Jersey Zoo (VIDEO) Intruder Breaks Into Tiger Enclosure, Nearly Gets Bitten At South Jersey Zoo (VIDEO)
Intruder Breaks Into Tiger Enclosure, Nearly Gets Bitten At South Jersey Zoo (Video) Police in South Jersey are seeking the public's help in identifying and locating a woman who hopped the fence at a local zoo to interact with a tiger. Video shared by Bridgeton police on Tuesday, Aug. 20 shows the incident from the tiger exhibit at the Cohanzick Zoo. Officers didn't say when the incident happened. The 16-second clip shows the female putting her hand through wire fencing and trying to pet the tiger. The big cat then appears to try biting the female's hand and starts frantically pacing. The female then backs away from the wiring and climbs back over the wooden fence on the o…
Two More Arrested In Plot To Murder Man On Jersey Shore, Prosecutors Say Two More Arrested In Plot To Murder Man On Jersey Shore, Prosecutors Say
Two More Arrested In Plot To Murder Man On Jersey Shore, Prosecutors Say Two more men were charged in a plot to shoot and kill another man in Jackson Township, authorities said. Noah Phelps of Monroe Township and Glenn Franzson of Jackson Township were arrested, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release on Tuesday, Aug. 20. The two were facing charges in the shooting on Thursday, June 27. Jackson police responded to the shooting report on Larsen Road at around 12:20 a.m. and officers found a 27-year-old man with a gunshot wound to his face. He was treated at Jersey Shore University Medical Center and released from the N…
Bystanders Stop Sex Offender From Raping Teen Girl In Trenton Neighborhood, Police Say Bystanders Stop Sex Offender From Raping Teen Girl In Trenton Neighborhood, Police Say
Bystanders Stop Sex Offender From Raping Teen Girl In Trenton Neighborhood, Police Say A sex offender was accused of trying to rape a teen girl in a Trenton neighborhood one day after he was released from prison, authorities said. Malik Bright, 24, of Trenton, was arrested on Wednesday, Aug. 7, the Trenton Police Department said in a news release. Officers responded to the report of an attempted sexual assault near the corner of Louise Lane and Marion Street in the city's Stuyvesant/Prospect neighborhood at around 9:37 a.m. Investigators said Bright followed the 17-year-old girl from a bus stop for several blocks. She knew Bright was following her and she tried…