THE POLICE
The OGHOA sent an email out two days ago. It was about the Permit Plan meeting, but the second part says, “The Police” and encourages Grovers to go to a Baptist church in Neptune to attend a meeting with the new Police Committee. A copy of their note is below in italics:
“As many of you know, Neptune Township has made important changes to the administration of the Neptune Police Department, including the appointment of a Police Committee to replace the Police Director.
“Rev. Edmond Lee, the pastor of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, will host a meeting with the new Police Committee. This is an excellent opportunity for all Neptune residents to learn about the function of the Police Committee, and how, and to what extent it will change the administration of the Neptune Police Department.
“The meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 5, at 6:00 p.m. at the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. The church is located at 296 Drummond Avenue in Neptune.
“We encourage all residents to attend.”
Editor’s note
: This plea to attend a meeting in Neptune reminds us of when the HOA decided to get involved in the Neptune Renaissance for murky reasons.We know that there has been a change in oversight of the NTPD, but is there some issue regarding policing in the Grove? If not, why is the HOA promoting our attendance at this meeting out of the Grove?
Neptune Township has some horrible law enforcement concerns including shootings, murder, threats, and drugs, but we in Ocean Grove are fortunate to have no problems with the NTPD.
There has been controversy in Neptune regarding how best to deal with police issues that have nothing to do with Ocean Grove. So why should we get involved in that?
Theresa: You are being disingenuous with your question.
What I am “suggesting” is that an Ocean Grove organization that goes public to get Grovers to go to such a meeting must have a reason for doing so besides merely to learn about how the NTPD is being monitored.
After all, there were many news stories this year about the NTPD in reference to a variety of serious matters in Neptune, and there is the whole Black Lives Matter movement, murder by a cop, and sexual harassment issues which relate to the police. Yet the Groaners never said a word then about those concerns related to the NTPD when they made the news.
So what is it about this meeting in a church which causes the HOA to get excited?
—Paul
Theresa, I feel we should all be interested in becoming familiar with how our Township police department is structured, what changes are being made and how they might impact our community. Even when a bike is stolen in Ocean Grove, I call the NTPD.
Are you suggesting that one should not be interested in learning about that which is outside one’s narrow experience? Theresa checki