Homeland security grant assists Plumsted police

PLUMSTED — Homeland security grant funds will pay for software and technical support that will enable the Plumsted Police Department to be linked into an information database system with all other Ocean County law enforcement agencies to a central hub in the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office.

Mayor Ron Dancer said the sharing of law enforcement agency information was a key recommendation of the federal 9/11 Commission that was organized following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Dancer said the information sharing will improve emergency preparedness, prevention, response and recovery efforts. The Ocean County Board of Freeholders will pay $50,000 a year for the maintenance of the county-wide program, after receiving $150,000 from the state Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness.

Plumsted's Office of Emergency Management and the police department, in cooperation with the state Office of Homeland Security, is heightening public awareness with the following public service announcement: "Our Most Effective Weapon Against Terrorism Is You - If You Suspect It - Report It. Call 1-866-4-SAFE-NJ or email tips@njhomelandsecurity.gov."

In other news, Dancer said the Federal Bureau of Justice Assistance has awarded the Plumsted Police Department funding in the 2009 bulletproof vest program to purchase a new National Institute of Justice-compliant armored vest.

And, at the recommendation of the Officer in Charge of the Plumsted Police Department, Sgt. Matt Petrecca, the Township Committee has authorized interviews for two additional part-time fully certified police officers, according to the mayor.

Petrecca has proposed using the two officers to reduce overtime expenses for shift coverages in the event of training, vacation or sick leave absences. If the officers are hired, the number of fully certified uniformed officers in Plumsted would be at its highest level of 13, Dancer reported.

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The only bird in North America that dons red, white and blue is the bluebird,

and Plumsted is uniquely its year-round home. Plumsted's Bluebird Awareness Kickoff, benefiting the Ken Francis Environmental Stewards Scholarship Fund, will be held on Oct. 30 at the Laurita Winery, Archertown Road, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. The Ken Francis Memorial Kayak and Canoe Race/Tour will begin at 8 a.m. at the Oakford Lake on Nov. 1. For more information

and tickets, contact Bill Lewis at 609- 775-7134.

Fall Fest '09 in downtown New Egypt will be held Nov. 1 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information about Fall Fest '09, contact Lori at 609-758-7461.

A fall soup and sandwich social will take place in the senior citizen community room of the municipal building, 121 Evergreen Road, New Egypt, on Nov. 6 from noon to 2 p.m. The cost is $3 and seating is limited. To register, call the Senior Outreach Services office at 609-758-2241, ext. 111.

The Plumsted Business and Merchants Association's 2009 Fall Business Expo will be held on Nov. 7 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the New Egypt Elks Lodge, 105 Lakewood Road, New Egypt.

The annual fundraiser book sale hosted by the Friends of the Plumsted Library will be held on Nov. 6 from 2-7 p.m. and on Nov. 7 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at New Egypt High School, Evergreen Road. In addition to books, CDs, DVDs, jigsaw puzzles and more will be available.

The Plumsted Township Council for the Arts is presenting "Rat Pack" impersonators of Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra on Nov. 7 at the Welcome Center, 31 Main St., New Egypt, at 7 p.m. Tickets (including dessert) are $10 per person or $15 per couple. All proceeds benefit the arts council. For tickets and more information, contact the township clerk's office at 609-758-7461 or plumstedartscouncil@ comcast.net.

The Township Committee will meet at 8 p.m. Nov. 4.