Mtown News Flash 12-28-12

State Reports Shows Middletown Crime Rate Decreased

Middletown’s overall crime rate has decreased about six percent, according to the latest New Jersey State Police Uniform Crime Report.

“The Middletown Police Department, its Quality of Life Unit and a very supportive community deserve a large measure of credit for the decreased crime rate,” said Mayor Anthony P. Fiore.

The township’s overall crime rate for 2011 is 13.2 incidents per 1,000 inhabitants compared to a rate of 14.0 incidents in 2010. The township’s total crime index dropped to 881 in 2011, from 930 in 2010. Violent crimes decreased to 36 in 2011, from 46 the year before. Non-violent crimes also went down to 845 in 2011, from 884 in 2010, according to the report.

The Police Department’s Quality of Life Unit is utilized to aggressively identify and arrest those for community offenses that affect the community’s quality of life. The unit was responsible for the arrest of over 200 subjects through the end of 2011 for offenses such as narcotics, burglaries, receiving stolen property, warrants and other criminal activity, Police Chief Robert Oches said.

The Police Department also works closely with the township’s two Neighborhood Watch groups – one in Ideal Beach and another in the Fairview section of town. “We are beginning to see the positive impact that such groups, working in conjunction with the Police Department, can have on our community,” the Mayor said. “I encourage other neighborhoods to follow in their footsteps in the coming year.”

The overall crime rate in Monmouth County dropped about 2 percent to 23.7 incidents per 1,000 inhabitants from 24.2 incidents. Statewide the crime rate increased about 3 percent to 24.7 incidents per 1,000 inhabitants, according to the report.

The 45th annual New Jersey State Police Crime Report is based on statistics submitted to the New Jersey Uniform Crime Reporting System by every New Jersey law enforcement agency for the year 2011. Information about 2012 will be released in December 2013. Visit www.njsp.org/info/ucr2011 to view the full report.



Oceanic Bridge Closed Due to Nor'Easter Damage
As a result of the nor’easter on Wednesday, Dec. 26,, the approach to the Oceanic Bridge from Navesink River Road is closed. All vehicle and pedestrian access to the Oceanic Bridge is prohibited. Marine access continues, according to the Monmouth County Public Information Office.

The embankment, or slope, on the approach to the Oceanic Bridge gave way and deposited soil and brush in the roadway. An assessment of the damage has been completed and the short-term repair work to stabilize the existing material on the slope is being worked on now. Upon completion, vehicular access to the bridge can resume. Long-term plans and work will further secure the slope and be completed at a future date.

As a result of the storm, there were also temporary local road and bridge closures due to flooding and high water levels on both county and local roads.



New Year’s Day – January 1, 2013
Municipal Offices are closed in observance of New Year’s Day



Organization Day Meeting Scheduled for January 6th
The Township Committee will hold Middletown’s annual Organization Day meeting at noon on Sunday, January 6, 2013 at Town Hall, 1 Kings Highway.

On the agenda will be the swearing in of the 2013 Mayor and Deputy Mayor. Under the township’s form of government, the Township Committee designates two members to serve as mayor and deputy mayor for a one-year term. Committeeman Stephen G. Massell will accept the oath of office to serve his second consecutive term. The term for each Committee members is three years.

Two police officers will also accept their oaths of office during Organization Day. Both officers are being promoted.

Scores of volunteers traditionally attend to accept oaths of office to serve on more than a dozen township boards, committees and commissions. Each group focuses on different aspects of the community and works to enhance Middletown’s quality of life. Residents are appointed to these positions by the Township Committee. For more information call the Township Clerk at (732) 615-2014.



Christmas Tree Collection Begins January 7th

Within Township Garbage District (Township Contractor)
The township contractor will start picking up Christmas tree for those that have Township Garbage Collection the week of January 7, 2013 on the second collection day (Thursday, Friday or Saturday).

Outside the Garbage District (Private Collection)
Christmas Trees will be collected according a schedule for those who have private garbage collection. Collection begins January 7, 2013. Click here for schedule

Recycling Center Drop-off
Christmas Trees can be dropped off the Kanes Lane Recycling Center, 52 Kanes Lane, by Middletown residents only free of charge. Call 732-615-2008 for more information.



County Closes Oceanic Bridge On January 7-28 for Safety Upgrades
On Jan. 7, Monmouth County will begin a project to upgrade the safety systems on the Oceanic Bridge that connects Rumson and Middletown. The work requires the closure of the bridge to vehicles and pedestrian traffic during the estimated three week work period that is expected to conclude on Jan. 28. The Oceanic Bridge will be open to marine traffic during the upgrades.

To perform these upgrades, the County will close the bridge’s roadway so the contractor, IEW Construction Group can replace safety gates and perform other upgrades and maintenance work.

“This work is required because the existing equipment is outdated and replacement parts are becoming more difficult to find,” County Engineer Joseph M. Ettore, P.E. said. “We are maximizing this scheduled closure to have county crews perform repair work to damage caused by Superstorm Sandy and to provide NJ Natural Gas with access for their necessary repair and installation work.

Detours
All motor vehicle traffic on Bingham Avenue between Rumson and Middletown (CR-8) will be detoured west, through Fair Haven and Red Bank to Middletown, or east, through Sea Bright and Highlands to Middletown.

Northbound traffic from Rumson on Bingham Avenue (CR-8) should detour east through Fair Haven and Red Bank on East River Road (CR-10) to East Front Street to Route 35 North to Navesink River Road (CR-12A) in Middletown. Or, northbound traffic can detour from Bingham Avenue south, turn left onto Rumson Road (CR-520) to Sea Bright and turn left onto Ocean Avenue (Route 36 North) to Highlands and take the jug handle for Navesink Avenue in Middletown. Follow Navesink Avenue and turn left onto Locust Avenue and left again onto Locust Point Road (CR-8B).

Southbound traffic from Middletown should detour west on Navesink River Road (CR-12A) to Route 35 South in Red Bank. And then will follow detour signs to travel west on East Front Street (CR10)/ East River Road through Fair Haven and into Rumson. Or, southbound traffic can detour from Navesink River Road (CR-12A)/ Locust Point Road (CR-8B) and turn right onto Locust Avenue, turning right onto Navesink Avenue and then bear right onto Route 36 South through Highlands and into Sea Bright. Turn right onto the Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge and follow Rumson Road (CR-520) west to Bingham Avenue. Turn right onto Bingham Avenue (CR-8).



Storm Recovery Information Tips and FAQs

FEMA Advisory Base Flood Elevations

Superstorm Sandy Information

www.disasterassistance.gov/
Find assistance, request assistance and track applications
Survivors of Hurricane Sandy in New Jersey have until January 30, 2013 to register for disaster assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Small Business Association.

FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC)
Non-Holiday Hours: Mon-Sat 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Closed on Sundays
Henry Hudson Trail Activity Center
945 Highway 36
Leonardo, NJ 07737
Holiday Hours: The center will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. They will be closed New Year’s Day. Normal hours will resume Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013.

Crime Scene Middletown: Local Crime Statistics Mirror County's But Appear To Be On The Rise For 2011

The Asbury Park Press has an article posted about the rising crime rate for Monmouth and Ocean Counties. It states that according to the NJ State Police Uniform Crime Report for 2010 incidents of major crime( violent crimes of murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault, and the nonviolent crimes of burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft) rose by 7% in Ocean County and 4% in Monmouth County in the year following 2009.

Seeing how I reside in Middletown, which has a population of 67,000 residents spreadout over 42 square miles, I am not really interested in what is happening in Ocean County, I'm more interested in what's happening closer to home.

According to the APP article:

In Monmouth County, most categories of violent crime remained stable, although aggravated assaults fell 11 percent. The increase in overall major crimes in Monmouth County was partly attributable to a 6.5 percent uptick in the number of burglaries, from 2,528 to 2,694.

Monmouth County saw a 24 percent jump in the number of arrests for the sale or manufacture of drugs, from 455 to 562

After reading the full article it made me a bit curious about what has been going on in Middletown over this same time period, what I found locally seems to have mirrored what happened county wide.

In Middletown, while the crime index for 2010 rose a mere 0.84% over the 2009 index (12.39 vs 13.23), the incidents of Part I Crimes (Murder, Rape, Robbery, Agg. Assault,Burglary, Larceny, Auto Theft, Arson) rose 5.2% (2009/828 vs 2010/873) and the incidents of Part II Crimes (Simple Assaut,Forgery, Fraud, Embezzlement,Vandalism, Weapons, Other Sex Offenses, Disorderly Conduct and Other) rose 13% (2009/4454 vs 2010/5111).

I found this information posted on the Middletown Township website posted under the Police Department link for the year to date Crime Stats. I've been keeping an eye on these statistics for most of the year, after I discovered them posted on the Township website a number of months ago. The stat sheet compares the crime index and incidents of crime in Middletown going back to 2002 and has been recently updated to include incidents of crime through October 2011.

Looking at the reported numbers thus far for 2011, it seems that the crime rate in Middletown will be somewhat higher than it was in 2010. With two months left to report crime statistics, Part I type crimes total 690 while Part II type crimes total 3932. Interestingly (or not), the arrest rate is also up over last year thus far (1599),which I suppose should be expected given the increase in incidents.

Calls for service is also up sharply and should exceed last years total of 45,587 which is staggering to me when you consider how understaffed Middletown's Police Department is,on the flip side of that however, is that the number of summonses written thus far this year. It seems that summonses issued should also top the total of 6,473 that were issued in 2010.

Given the numbers, I think members of Middletown's Police Department should be commended for the hard work and effort they give keeping us all safe during this time of increased criminal activity.

Residents are quick to criticize when response times are slow or when they see a police car parked on the side of the road with an officer just sitting there seeming to be doing nothing and are slow to give credit for a job well done under stressful circumstances.