March 07, 2010

Gloucester Township Police Department

W. Harry Earle

Chief of Police

Mission Statement
We, the members of the Gloucester Township Police Department, dedicate ourselves to the community in which we serve. We recognize our badge as a symbol of public faith and accept it as public trust, and hold it true to the ethics of police service. As part of our goal, we will continually strive to:

Protect the lives and property of the citizens of Gloucester Township Preserve the peace and order of the community through the prevention of crime and apprehension of criminals. Be sensitive, understanding, and responsive to the needs of the community. Foster and maintain a positive public image of the Police Department within the community Interact with the community by getting organizations, leaders, and citizens involved in the total law enforcement effort.
Be role models to the children of the township, to teach them to resist temptation to do wrong, and to build a relationship based on mutual respect and trust.

We will constantly seek to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating ourselves to our chosen profession, law enforcement.

Dial 911 For Emergency
Dial (856) 228-4500 For Non Emergency

Police Crime Tip Line
856-842-5560

police@gtpolice.com

Personnel

110 Sworn Officers 25 Special/Park Patrol Officers 12 Police Communications (FULL TIME)
9 Civilian Employees

Community Relations Unit
Cpl. Sean Grannan

Community Support

80+ Active neighborhood watch groups throughout Gloucester Township with 6,800 participating house holds
Society Improvement Program and D.A.R.E. working with 8,011 students throughout the year.

POLICE DEPARTMENT NEWS

Gloucester Township Police Department Rolls Out New Crime Tip-line

In an effort to further community involvement and to assist in the investigation of criminal activity, Chief Harry Earle would like you to know that the Gloucester Township Police Department has created a Crime Tip-Line. This line is for use by the public to supply the police with potentially vital information that they may have to assist police in solving crimes that have occurred. The tip can be anonymous as there is no requirement that the person leave their name or address. The number of the tip-line is 856-842-5560. The Crime Tip Line should not be used for crimes in progress, a crime that has just occurred where an immediate police response will assist in the apprehension of violators, or anytime life or property is endangered. In these situations a person should call 9-1-1. Members of the public should also continue to call Gloucester Township Police Department Headquarters at 856-228-4500 to report non-emergency situations, request the non-emergency response of a police officer, or request general public safety information. The Crime Tip Line will enable all of those who wish to do the right thing, but have not come forward with information concerning a crime. Gloucester Township citizens are also encouraged to become a member of Neighborhood Watch. Neighborhood Watch groups are active throughout Gloucester Township and assist the Gloucester Township Police Department by being alert to unusual or suspicious behavior and reporting this activity with a confidential Neighborhood Watch Identification number.

For further information about the Neighborhood Watch Program or the new Crime Tip Line contact the Community relations Unit at 856-228-4011 or communityrelations@gtpolice.com

NEW JERSEY BICYCLE HELMET LAW

Effective March 1, 2006, New Jersey?s Bicycle Helmet Law has changed. Young people under the age of 17 will be required to wear an approved helmet when cycling, roller skating, in-line skating or skateboarding. The law previously effected riders under the age of 14. For bicycle safety tips see: www.njsaferoads.com/bike.html

House Numbers are very Important
Please note, it is required by the Township Ordinance, Chapter 73, that all buildings (houses and businesses) be properly labeled with identifying number (street address). This helps us help you in case of emergency, 911 response. The properly numbered building helps with easy identification, quick response and reduces confusion. Thanks for your cooperation.

Gloucester Township Crisis Intervention TeamGloucester Township Crisis Intervention Team provides assistance to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Working with the local police department, volunteers are trained to provide comfort, education and referral services to persons and families in need.Many victims of domestic violence and sexual assault are frightened and embarrassed by what happens to them. They are often unaware of the many services available in the community. These include emergency food, clothing and shelter, as well as counseling and legal services.If you are a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault, you are encouraged to call the Gloucester Township CIT at (856) 374-5728 or the domestic violence hotline at (856) 227-1234. If you are calling the CIT line, please leave a message and phone number where you can be reached and a volunteer will return your call. The Domestic Violence Hotline is manned day and night. Your confidentiality is assured either number you call.

The CIT team is looking for volunteers to join the team. CIT members undergo a forty-hour ten-week training program to prepare them as Crisis Intervention Counselors. If you are interested in volunteering for the team, call (856) 374-5728 or (856) 227-1800, ext. 22.

RECEIVE EMAIL AND TEXT MESSAGE ALERTS FROM THE GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPARTMENTTRAFFIC ALERTS, CRIME SPREES, POLICE DEPARTMENT EVENTS, AND MORE

The Gloucester Township Police Department is launching a new Community Information Service designed to deliver important and timely information to residents in our area using the latest technology.This service, created by Nixle, delivers trustworthy and important neighborhood-level public safety and community event notifications by web, email and cell phones. The potential applications are many, including notification of missing persons, crime spree information, or upcoming events that may result in traffic delays or road closures. Other Departments of the Township of Gloucester such as the Recreation Department, Mayor's Officer, and Clerk's Office may also start utilizing Nixle to disseminate important community information. Nixle is a new community information service provider built exclusively to provide secure and reliable communications. Its authenticated service connects municipal agencies and community organizations to residents in real time, delivering information to geographically targeted consumers over their cell phones (via text messages), through e-mails, and through web access. Nixle is offered at no cost to all governments, their agencies and organizations, non-governmental organizations and consumers.

Any person may register with Nixle. Registration with Nixle will ensure you receive important alerts/notifications issued by the Gloucester Township Police Department and by other Departments of the Township of Gloucester.

User Registration Instructions: Visit: www.nixle.com. Click on the "Register Now" icon. Enter your user name. Create and enter your password. Retain it for future use. Enter your full name. Enter your email address. You may enter your cell phone number. Review the terms of service as appropriate and accept. Enter your "Home Address" You may enter additional addresses, phone numbers, etc. You are encouraged to enter other addresses as this will only assist in you getting important messages from the Gloucester Township Police Department. Nixle notifications are sent to areas based on geography and the sending agency will select a geographical area that will receive a notice. Therefore, adjoining communities will receive our notifications and we will receive their notifications as well. If you experience any difficulty registering as a Nixle user contact Officer Sean Grannan for assistance at 856-228-4011. As a reminder there are special curfew hours for 10/29/09, 10/30/09 and 10/31/09. The hours for those dates are 7:00 pm to 6:00 am. Persons under the age of 18 years and not accompanied by a parent or guardian are not permitted to loiter, idle,wander, stroll, play or remain in or upon the public street, highway, roads, playgrounds, public buildings, places of amusement, entertainment or places of business conducted for profit to which the public is invited and all public and quasi- public places either on foot or in a vehicle during these hours.

TRAFFIC SAFETY UNIT

College Drive ConstructionConstruction has begun on the improvements to College Drive in the area of Camden County College. This project will include the installation of new on/off ramps to Route 42 in both the north and south bound directions. This construction is expected to last through the fall of 2010. Motorists are advised to expect delays due to construction in this area during this time period.Parking of Certain Trucks, Vehicles, and Trailers Prohibited on Township RoadwaysNo person shall park any truck or vehicle over three tons gross vehicle weight, a school bus, any other type bus, recreational vehicle, camper, boat or trailer between the hours of 9 PM and 6 AM on any township roadway or street. Any person in violation of this ordinance is subject to a fine.

Driving While under the Influence Enforcement Patrols
Driving while under the Influence of alcohol or drugs continues to be a safety concern through out the country with a steady increase of arrests being made for operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of narcotics and or prescription medications. The effects of prescription medication upon a person’s ability to operate a motor vehicle are equal to that of alcohol. The concern is that people know that consuming alcohol will affect the way they operate a motor vehicle but may not realize the impact that prescription medications have upon them.The Gloucester Township police department takes driving under the influence of alcohol and or drugs very seriously. The department has six officers that are trained as Drug Recognition Experts in the identification and enforcement of persons operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs or prescription medication. The penalties are the same if you are convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. A first offense carries a penalty of a Drivers license suspension from 7-12 months and a fine of up to $500.00 and up to 30 days in jail.

The Gloucester Township Police Department received a $6000.00 (Six Thousand Dollars) as part of the "Over the Limit under Arrest" 2009 Drunk Driving Enforcement Campaign. This enabled officers to work thirty, 4 hour enforcement patrols during this enforcement campaign.