State's New Homeland Security Initiative Launched In Northern Ocean County

Local and state officials want business owners and residents to become involved in a new Homeland Security Initiative.

“The idea behind this is that it all highlights the importance of public participation in homeland security today,” Stephanie Raphael, director of communications for the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness said at a recent meeting, according to the Ocean Star.

“We’ve been going around the state talking about the importance of the awareness program, the training and resources offered, speaking about suspicious activity reporting in New Jersey ... and we did talk about [Seaside Park] and how the public played a huge role in that investigation by reporting suspicious activity and notifying local law enforcement,” she said.

Point Pleasant Borough Mayor Robert A. Sabosik and Point Pleasant Beach Mayor Stephen Reid sat down with Chris Rodriguez, director of the homeland security office, to discuss how to ensure the safety and well-being of community members year-round.

Since the Sept. 17 explosion in Seaside Park, local gatherings and events have had an increased law enforcement presence.

She said the new program teaches local business leaders about likely threat scenarios, global intelligence awareness, protective security for public gatherings, and suspicious activity reporting mechanisms.

The program will eventually be implemented statewide.
“We will put this in the forefront," Mayor Robert Sabosik said. The safety of citizens is of the upmost importance and [they] can rest assured we will be one of the safest towns along the Jersey Shore.”

To read the entire story, click here.

Image: Point Pleasant Beach Chamber of Commerce.