​Police Increase Patrols On Rail Trail Due To Safety Concerns

LACEY, NJ — The Lacey Township Police Department is increasing patrols on the rail trail after several residents filed complaints concerning their safety while walking the trail in recent weeks.

Police Chief Michael DiBella discussed ongoing issues at Thursday's committee meeting, noting that Lacey, Berkeley and Waretown are coordinating to patrol areas along the Barnegat Branch Trail.

“These guys are working hard and they said one of the primary reasons there’s some issues down there is intoxication. This bail reform bill is problematic,” Mayor Peter Curatolo said Thursday. “I want our people to know that this chief, this command staff, these officers and our sheriff, they are on this.”

In Lacey, DiBella said several complaints were reported in areas on the trail between Station Drive and the Wawa on South Main Street.

“Once we received those complaints we acted immediately,” DiBella said. “We’ve had some bicycle patrols and ATVs out there, and we’re going to continue to do that.”

“Unfortunately, like anything else, we can’t be there all the time, so we count on residents. If you see something, say something. If you see activity that doesn’t look right, don't hesitate to contact the police department."

Since the Barnegat Branch Trail is part of the Ocean County Parks Department, officers from the county sheriff’s office will be supplementing local police details.

Officers will be varying the times they are on patrol as there’s no recurring time that incidents have been reported, according to investigator Michael Keaton.

The sheriff’s office has also deployed cameras on the trail south of Taylor Lane so officers can monitor the camera from their office and phones.

"If anyone of you are aware of the laws that have been created with bail reform, it’s very tough. Most of the charges we’re charging people with are disorderly person offenses, so they're not going to jail for those. They are very much summonses, identify and release so that creates some definite quality of life issues,” Keaton said. “We’ve pretty much identified the primary agitants causing most of the problems and we’re trying to address that.”

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