To the best of our knowledge, the New Jersey Attorney General has concluded their investigation, said a township official BRIDGEWATER, NJ - The Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District has released information related to a cybersecurity incident involving information about some employees and individuals on the districts employee insurance plan. I am completely confident that the Prosecutors review will be impartial, objective and thorough, Moench said. Video of the . Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com. . The winning name was chosen by sixth grader Timmy Miessler, of Branchburg, and Ruthanne Ungerleider, a BRIDGEWATER, NJ - A 25-year career police officer in Bridgewater Township, John Mitzak was sworn in Oct. 20 as the eighth police chief of the township department. The officers were able to respond quickly to this incident and stop it from escalating because of a tip we received from the community," the post says. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Im just glad it happened where there were a whole bunch of eyes on the situation, cause I dont know what would have happened.. The officer lied to supervisors when questioned and lied again during an [Internal Affairs] investigation, according to the report. Joey's friend, Sienna Freidinger, filmed the video. IE 11 is not supported. About See all Hyperlocal news, alerts, discussions and events for Bridgewater, NJ We're a community-specific news, information and engagement network driven by passionate and experienced media professionals. BREAKING: Black teen restrained by police in NJ mall fight video hires George Floyd's family lawyer, Although an investigation is still gathering the facts about this incident, Im deeply disturbed by what appears to be racially disparate treatment in this video. Bystanders stepped in to restrain Faris N. Salem of South Bound Brook until Bridgewater Police Officers arrived, according to the report. pic.twitter.com/ThJPQFNEzO. A video began circulating on Sunday showing the fight between a white teen and a Black teen at the Bridgewater Commons mall. To register complaints about emails from TAPinto.net, please email. SC Sheriff's Officer Shane Rebuth was suspended for 7 days in 2021 for "Standard of Conduct." RARITAN, NJ - Raritan Borough Police have released the police blotter for the end of October and beginning of November. Mitzak has been BRIDGEWATER, NJ - The second week of October will mark Fire Prevention Week in Bridgewater Township, from Oct. 9 through Oct. 15. Smith isn't the only person calling for the officers' removal. Martin was convicted of driving while intoxicated(DWI) while on duty. Just stay calm and not move and do what they tell me to do.. Moench: Delay in Report on February 2022 Bridgewater Mall Incident Rests Fire District Budgets Pass in Annual Elections, According to Unofficial Results, Crim Students Welcome Bridgewater Officers, Security Officers for National Law Enforcement Appreciation, Settlement Reached in Lawsuit Filed Against Raritan Borough, Raritan Police Following Death of Matias Ortega in 2018, Moench: Delay in Report on February 2022 Bridgewater Mall Incident Rests With Trenton, Not Bridgewater, Attorney General May Release Own Report on February 2022 Incident at Bridgewater Commons Mall, Prosecutor Reveals Motive in Killing of Employee Outside PSEG in Somerset, Bridgewater Township: Attorney General Concludes Investigation Into February 2022 Mall Incident, District Releases Information on Possible Cybersecurity Breach Involving Personal Information of Employees, Health Matters - Morristown Medical Center, Make the Most of Your School-Age Childs Well Check, Read More Health Matters - Morristown Medical Center, Home of the Week: 15 Morningside Rd Verona Twp., NJ 07044, Laurel Circles Management Company, LCS, Ranks #1 in Senior Satisfaction Study. . The Bridgewater Police Department, with seventy-eight officers, serves and protects a diverse residential population of over 45,000 persons. Although an investigation is still gathering the facts about this incident, Im deeply disturbed by what appears to be racially disparate treatment in this video," Gov. According to police, officers BRIDGEWATER, NJ - Bridgewater Township celebrated the promotions of several township officers at a ceremony at the end of November. Dedicated to Service, Committed to Community. SOLD OUT! | Parks and trails will be closed at the Bridgewater park due to firearm use, officials said. Public safety:Tasers, hailed as a way to avoid deadly police shootings, are seldom used in NJ. The Bridgewater Police Department said in a statement on Monday that it is aware the community is "upset," and requested that the Somerset County Prosecutor's office assist in an investigation . To register complaints about emails from TAPinto.net, please email, Bridgewater Police Release Police Blotter, With Car Thefts, Shoplifting Incidents, Bridgewater Police Release Blotter With DWI, Burglary Charges, Bridgewater Police Release New Blotter, Including Thefts, DWI Reports, Raritan Police Blotter Include Arrests for Lewdness, Alcohol Possession, More, Bridgewater Police Blotter Includes Theft, DWI Charges, Bridgewater Police Release New Police Blotter, with Burglaries, DWI, More, Bridgewater Police Blotter Includes Arrests for DWI, Reports of Vehicle Burglaries, Bridgewater Police Release Police Blotter, With Arrests for Shoplifting DWI Since April, Bridgewater Police Blotter Includes Motor Vehicle Thefts, DWI Charges, Bridgewater Police Report DWIs, Burglaries, Thefts in March 10 Police Blotter, Raritan Police: Be Careful of Fraudulent Calls Demanding Money, Bridgewater Police Investigating Shoplifting Incidents at Nordstrom Rack, Macy's, Bridgewater Police Investigating Shoplifting Attempt at Home Depot, DWI, Shoplifting, Other Charges in Bridgewater Police Blotter. BRIDGEWATER, NJ For the second time, the New Jersey Attorney General's Office publicly released all the names of New Jersey police officers who were subject to "major discipline" in 2021 and a police officer with Bridgewater Township police is on that list. Bound Brook Police released photos of a dark-colored vehicle (appears to be a Ford Escape) wanted in connection with the abandoned dog. Get involved by signing 7,678 people like this 8,626 people follow this http://patch.com/new-jersey/bridgewater alexis.tarrazi@patch.com Proudly created withWix.com. One officer pushed the white teen into a seated position on the couch, according to the video. The Attorney General completed its investigation and sent a comprehensive Internal Affairs Report and Findings to Bridgewater in Sept. 2022. The driver was hospitalized with a serious injury on Tuesday, said police. A victim reported Nov. 19 that their vehicle had been burglarized while being parked in the lot of Lands End, on Chimney Rock Road. According to police, the victim had been unloading items from the vehicle when an unknown person entered the car and fled the BRIDGEWATER, NJ - The Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District has released a statement that, as of Thursday, all computer systems have been fully restored after being disrupted since Monday. Carrier Clinic, Taxes in Retirement Seminar on March 7th and 9th at Raritan Valley Community College. "When Bridgewater police found two youths fighting, the immediate reaction was to aggressively throw the Black child to the ground, knee placed around the neck area and cuffed behind the back. At the same time, the white youth, at least equally at fault for the fight as his Black counterpart, was carefully eased onto a couch and treated like a victim," said Smith, adding that this issomething Blacks in New Jersey experience too often. The Bridgewater Police Department, with seventy-eight officers, serves and protects a diverse residential population of over 45,000 persons. Bridgewater SHIELD; Body Worn Camera; Burglar Alarm Registration; Common Scams; Community Police Alliance; Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information; Driving While Impaired; Domestic Violence Response Team; Firearms Handling and Storage . Bridgewater police have called for an internal affairs investigation with assistance from the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office. In the area of milepost 16, the front of the Volkswagen struck and killed Hernandez, according to the preliminary investigation. The township council unveiled a proclamation in honor of the event, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com. BRIDGEWATER, NJ - According to unofficial results, all budgets passed in the fire districts in the Feb. 18 elections. Thomas Gallo took the oath of office during the Jan. 19 Township Council meeting. We will get back to you as soon as possible. | Toll Free: (800) 544-3318. Korrie Keats, 38, of Plainfield, was arrested Oct. 12 at about . Two people reported being shot in the head by a BB or pellet gun in separate shootings at the mall in January, said police. 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A new program aimed at beefing up community policing in Bridgewater is scheduled to make its debut in the coming months. The dog is said to be worth $5,000, said North Plainfield Police Lt. William Speck. Carrier Clinic, Taxes in Retirement Seminar on March 7th and 9th at Raritan Valley Community College. Bridgewater Township officer Anne Alosi was suspended for 180 days in 2020 for "Neglect of Duty and Truthfulness. Bridgewater found itself in the eye of a media storm after a 15-second video went viral of a fight between two teenagers at Bridgewater Commons that was broken up by two township police. Hospitality Opportunities in Food Services, Housekeeping And Others! Volunteers Needed For Raritan River Cleanup In Bridgewater, Bridgewater I-287 Pedestrian Crash Prompts Delays Thursday: DOT, McDonald's Shamrock Shake Returns To Bridgewater, Somerset Man Charged With Attempted Murder: Police, Car Loses Control, Hits I-287 Median, Rolls Over In Bridgewater, 'Warm Hearted,' Beloved Bridgewater Employee Retires After 30 Years, An Abandoned Cat's Rescue Featured In Somerset County Children's Book, Hoboken's Official St. Patrick's Day Bar Crawl, NJ Camp Fairs at Menlo Park Mall Mar 4, 2023 - FREE to Attend (12-3PM), Now Hiring!! According to Deputy Township Administrator Wells Winegar, the program addresses various community policing issues, BRIDGEWATER, NJ - The fire district elections are in February to vote on commissioners and budgets in each of the four districts. Phil Murphy expressed his concern. "Major discipline" is defined as police officers who were terminated, demoted, or suspended for more than five days. It just doesnt make sense, she said. Cindy and David Keogh are the parents of Ryan Keogh, who was found guilty of first-degree murder following a shooting at their home in 2019. Smith said the state conference was disappointed to see police actions "irrefutably showing the disparate treatment of African-Americans in our police institutions.". Somerset County Sheriffs Office - Corrections Division. "The men and women of the Bridgewater Township Police Department are thankful for our community partners and look forward to continuing to build our positive relationships," the post says. Officer Patrick Knapp was promoted to sergeant. Two Bridgewater Police Department cops arrive and pull the White teen onto a nearby couch, as they pin the Black teen, 14, to the floor and handcuff him. According to the report, a 76-year-old man reported he was the victim of BRIDGEWATER, NJ - Bridgewater Township Police are investigating a number of thefts from various stores around Bridgewater in December, according to this week's police blotter. Video shows officers handcuffed and restrained a. Bridgewater News, Breaking News in Bridgewater, NJ Hello Bridgewater Today's weather Times of clouds and sun High: 49F Low: 36F Top local news Bridgewater News Somerset Man. Were committed to increasing trust between law enforcement and the people they serve.. A Bridgewater Officer was also named to this list. The controversy also led the township to cancel Mayor Matt Moench's town hall meeting on road improvements that was scheduled for Wednesday evening because of safety concerns. International Womens Day Event! Rashid was issued the following summonses: DWI, Careless Driving, Failure to Report a Crash and Leaving the Scene of a Crash. A business on East Main Street reported April 20 at 8:33 a.m. that someone stole catalytic converters from five of their vehicles, which were parked in a rear parking BRIDGEWATER, NJ - Bridgewater Township Police have released the police blotter for April 7, including motor vehicle burglary reports and DWI arrests. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. "The time for the governor and attorney general to put a stop to this type of behavior by the police is now," Smith said in a news release. The incident follows a sordid history. Gov. John Mitzak Sworn in as New Bridgewater Police Chief BRIDGEWATER, NJ - A 25-year career police officer in Bridgewater Township, John Mitzak was sworn . "Same offense, suspension until ultimate resignation. Video of the incident shows a group of young people gathered in a seating area at the mall and two boys, one white and one Black, standing up in a verbal altercation. They then begin pushing and shoving each other, a move that sends a couch sliding along the floor, and the Black teen is thrown to the floor. Joe Hernandez. Even through there was rightful anger and passion, folks had gotten a sense of a rhythm with each other," Murphy said. Murphy's 2024 budget. One officer pushed the white teen into a seated position on the couch . Ina CBS New York report, the 14-year-old Black teen, identified as Kye, and his mother, Ebone, who asked that their last names not be used, called for the officers to be fired. News & Press Releases. Susan Loyer covers Middlesex County and more for MyCentralJersey.com. Meanwhile, ZKye, already on the ground, was pinned onto his stomach by a male officer, with the officers knee appearing to be on his back. According to police, at 3:16 p.m. Jan. RARITAN, NJ - The Raritan Borough Police Department is seeking the public's help to find three adults who did not pay their bill after dining at Char Steakhouse on Route 202. "ZKye, an 8th grader, was noble to defend his friend from bullies; however, it is evident that officers immediately assumed that because of the color of ZKyes skin, him acting nobly was not even in the realm of possibility. Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. NJ School Aid 2023: Whos Getting More, Whos Getting Less, Bridgewater Schools To Gain $1.1M In State Aid Next Year. TAP in the News Phil Murphy, are questioning as racially motivated. In district 1, which is the Martinsville Volunteer Fire Company, the total operating budget is set at $616,197.38, with the amount to be raised by taxation set at BRIDGEWATER, NJ - Mayor Matthew Moench responded Friday to a statement from the attorney generals office regarding the investigation into the February 2022 incident at the Bridgewater Commons Mall, saying the fault for the delay in the report lies with Trenton, not Bridgewater. Hire A Bridgewater Area Pro To Get A Head Start On Spring Cleaning! Bridgewater Police Department100 Commons Way Bridgewater, NJ 08807. Bridgewater Police Department - NJ | Bridgewater NJ Contact Us The New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) Law Enforcement Accreditation Program is a statewide, independent credentialing body that analyzes the operational Copyright 2023 TAP IP LLC, All rights reserved. 2023 www.mycentraljersey.com. Bridgewater Township Mayor Matthew Moench acknowledged the video Tuesday, and New Jersey Gov. Crump identified the white teen as an 11th grader. As police arrive a female and male officer grabthe white teen off the Black teen. A resident of Schindler Terrace reported Aug. 27 that their Black Mongoose bicycle was stolen from in front of their home. The township postponed the town hall meeting as nationwide attention focused on Bridgewater. February 16, 2022 at 11:12 a.m. EST Authorities are investigating how police in Bridgewater Township, N.J., responded to a weekend mall fight. Don't miss local and statewide announcements. Knapp comes from a family of service members, with his brother serving as captain in the U.S. Navy, another MARTINSVILLE, NJ - The intersection of Mount Horeb Road and Washington Valley Road is closed as of 6:30 p.m. Monday due to wires down from a motor vehicle accident, according to the Martinsville Volunteer Fire Department. We also protect and serve patrons, visitors and workers of the businesses and large corporations in town such as the Bridgewater Commons Mall, Bausch Health, iConnective, Sanofi-Aventis, J&J, MetLife, PVH, Qualcomm and events at TD Bank Park which is home of the Somerset Patriots - AA Affiliate of the New York Yankees, 2023 Bridgewater Police Department. All results are expected to be certified Feb. 23. No other information was provided on the report. New Jersey law enforcement is now banned from using chokeholds "except in the very limited situations when deadly force is necessary to address an imminent threat to life.". The seasonal cult favorite has returned to McDonald's. BRIDGEWATER, NJ - Bridgewater Township is one of many receiving a grant from the state for 2020 recycling efforts, according to a release. See district-by-district changes proposed as part of the $834 million in school funding in Gov. Thomas A. Gallo was sworn in at the town council meeting. An Adamsville Road resident reported Feb. 6 that someone stole a motor vehicle from the driveway of his residence. Bridgewater Police also reported making arrests for driving while intoxicated and shoplifting in the latest blotter. After several seconds of punching, two uniformed Bridgewater police officers ran onto the scene and pulled the two apart. Faris N. Salem, 42, was charged with unlawful possession of BRIDGEWATER, NJ - Two Somerville teens were arrested on weapons charges stemming from two incidents involving a pellet gun at theBridgewater Commons Mall Jan. 4 and Jan. 14, according to a release from Bridgewater Township Police Chief John Mitzak. Branchburg Township Police responded to the call at the elementary school on Wednesday afternoon. A car pulled over and left the dog on the side of the road earlier this month, said police. BRIDGEWATER, NJ - Bridgewater Township is one of many receiving a grant from the state for 2020 recycling efforts, according to a release. The police department's post generated more than 200 comments, some questioning why both teens weren't restrained, or if the fight could have been broken up without the use of handcuffs. Read more Parents Express. 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I always saw a Bridgewater BRIDGEWATER, NJ - A group of local parents have asked the Bridgewater Township Council for assistance regarding what they say is a dangerous pedestrian intersection located near the BridgewaterRaritan High School. Were committed to increasing trust between law enforcement and the people they serve," Murphy wrote on Twitter. New Jersey police are under fire for their response to a fistfight after a Black eighth grader was pinned to the ground and handcuffed while a white teen involved in the weekend mall scuffle was left seated on a couch. Fire District Budgets Pass in Annual Elections, According to Crim Students Welcome Bridgewater Officers, Security Officers for National Settlement Reached in Lawsuit Filed Against Raritan Borough, Raritan Bridgewater Introducing Phase 1 of BridgewaterSHIELD Program, Bridgewater Fire District Elections to be Held Feb. 18. In a letter to residents,Mayor Moench said it's not appropriate to comment on the details of the incidentwhile an investigation is ongoing. Social media postings have drawn law enforcement attention nationally, Bridgewater Township Police said, but no real threat has been found. Homeowner injured, pets die in Hillsborough townhouse fire: police. The men and women of the Bridgewater Township Police Department are committed to providing effective police service to all persons within our jurisdiction. Phil Murphy's school aid plan for the 2023-24 school year. The campaign raises awareness about the dangers of impaired driving through a combo of high-visibility enforcement and public education. The suit claimed Raritan cops shouldn't have released Ronald B. Rebernik after arresting him for heroin hours before the deadly 2018 crash. These officers need to be reprimanded and retrained to overcome the implicit bias that results in unequal and often dangerous treatment of Black people.. The report displays the names and agencies of officers who were fired, demoted in rank or suspended for more than five days. Although there have been no credible threats in Bridgewater Township and New Jersey associated with social media posts circulating that reference a supposed "National Day of Hate" on Saturday,. SUMMIT, NJ - A touching tale mixing heartbreak and humor takes center stage at The Summit Playhouse LONG BEACH ISLAND REGION - Although the official start to spring is still over a month away, the About Us During his COVID-19 news conference on Wednesday, Murphy reiterated his concern for the apparent racially disparate treatment in the video. The video also shows township police officers kneeling on and.