Millstone faults police for lack of communication
Mayor upset to find out about recent burglaries through resident e-mail
BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer

MILLSTONE - If residents want to know about crime in their town, they're unlikely to get information from the New Jersey State Police.

Millstone, Roosevelt and Upper Freehold do not have their own police departments and rely on the state police for protection. At their recent meeting, Millstone officials discussed having a hard time getting police reports or investigation information from the state police.

At the April 16 Township Committee meeting, resident Neil Friedman said he has been trying to verify the information distributed in an email about recent burglaries in the township.

The e-mail that circulated throughout Millstone states, "There have been a number of robberies in town the past couple of weeks [on] Stagecoach Rd., Bowman Court and [in] the neighborhood by the baseball fields. The police are looking for a silver/gray car (unfortunately no make, model or license plate)."

The e-mail continues, "It appears to be professionals, not kids. They take money, jewelry and electronics. If you see a car fitting the description above and the driver appears to be suspicious, do not hesitate to call the police."

The Examiner contacted the Office of Public Information for the state police about the Millstone incidents, as well as burglary and vandalism incidents discussed at an Upper Freehold Township Committee meeting earlier this month. In both cases, the paper was told that the state police would call back with information but never did so.

DeputyMayor Bob Kinsey said that he and Township Administrator James Pickering have instituted bimonthly meetings with the state police. Kinsey said that up until last week, the township was being serviced by two barracks. He said that the Allenwood barracks closed and the Hamilton barracks now serves the entire township.

Kinsey said that the Hamilton barracks has had four commanders in four years.

"There always seemed to be a gap," Kinsey said. "We make a phone call and find out there's a new station commander."

Kinsey said the township would like to step up communication with the state police. Pickering, a former police officer, also said that he has a hard time getting information from the state police.

Kinsey said the township should have weekly status reports on reportable incidents so officials are aware of what is going on in town.

Mayor Nancy Grbelja said that she found out about the latest incidents in town from the email that residents circulated. She said the lack of information from the police angered her.

"People should be able to contact me to find out what is going on," she said.

Pickering said the township has put pressure on the state police to release more information.

Pickering said the lack of communication is not a black-and-white issue. He noted that when the Allenwood barracks investigated some incidents, its officials didn't communicate with the Hamilton barracks and vice versa.

"Sometimes they don't want to give information if there is an active investigation and they are getting a search warrant," he said.

Grbelja said she had spoken with former commanders about publishing a police blotter and making information available on the township's Web site or public access channel.

"We had a wonderful commander inAllenwood," she said. "We got stuff set up. Then he's gone."

Friedman said there is no excuse for the lack of information.

"This is a serious matter. We have a right to this information," he said, adding that he has a right to feel safe in his home.

Pickering said the latest information he has about the recent burglaries inMillstone is that the state police are looking for a gray vehicle with a red "R" on the back.