Chief Darren White provided the township with several updates to the police department.
By KRYSTAL NURSE
The Sun
At Mantua Township’s Nov. 19 committee meeting, members were provided updates from Nov. 15’s nor’easter, completion of road construction as well as several changes to the police department.
Township Engineer Jon Bryson said phase three of the repaving of Tylers Mill Road is scheduled to be completed in the first week of December by Paving Plus.
Steve Alexander, superintendent of public works, said a resident graciously cleared out storm drains in her neighborhood of leaves to ease the flooding.
In the police department, Chief Darren White announced all of the body cameras arrived at the department and training is scheduled to get all of the department’s full-time officers equipped with the cameras. Some of the Special Law Enforcement Class II officers will receive it as well.
“I was talking to Paulsboro’s chief about how excellent body cameras are,” said White. “We talked about how significantly their complaints dropped from 25 to three, and the three they did have were shown to not have happened the way presented.”
The department has also raised around $1,000 for Movember, a month-long campaign in November to raise money and awareness for men’s health, and they’re sorting through charities to donate the money to.
Sgt. Bill Murphy was sent to an “in depth training class” for the county for developing a better active shooter policy for all departments in the county. White seeks to utilize Murphy’s training within the department to help prepare officers.
“It’s unfortunate that we’re to the point where we have to do this consistently and get better,” said White. “I figured it’s better to be prepared.”
Committee members also brought up concerns to White in regard to Wenonah’s coin drop that took place on Nov. 17, where members of the Wenonah Athletic Association receive funds from drivers when traffic is stopped.
“I noticed that Wenonah, even though that’s not our town, they had a coin drop on [Nov. 17] and it’s dangerous out there,” said Mayor Peter Scirrotto. “I don’t know how they policed it on Woodbury-Glassboro Road. Somebody might get hit out there.”
White said the town has been doing it for years and they had to seek prior approval from the county and himself, which was done.
Resolutions were passed by consent by all members of the township committee. Some included appointing Ptl. Jesse Bair as an alternate municipal human law enforcement officer; appointing Lt. Brian Grady as emergency management coordinator for a three-year term; and endorsing grant applications to apply for funding from the NJDOT to resurface Bethel Mill Road and to reconstruct East Warren Avenue.
The next committee meeting is scheduled to occur on Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. in the Municipal Building.
