BRICK – There will be more beach vehicles allowed on township beaches this winter as the governing body voted in favor of an introduced ordinance that would increase their number from 125 to 200.
“This ordinance is being presented by the township’s Recreation Committee,” said Councilwoman Heather deJong during a recent Township Council meeting.
“Each year in the month of September, the township Clerk’s office issues beach vehicle permits for the fishermen to drive on the beach in the off season,” she said.
Over the past few years, demand for the popular permits has increased, and based on that, the department asked to increase the number by 50, deJong said.
“This number was approved by engineering, the Police Department, and beach staff as a reasonable number to accommodate,” she said. “Staff is also requesting that the lottery be open only to Brick Township residents on the first day.”
During the portion of the meeting where the public can comment on any town issues, resident Deborah Williams, who lives in an adult community off of Herbertsville Road, described a harrowing car accident she had in January when someone ran a red light.
“This is not political in any way,” she said. “This is strictly Debbie coming before you regarding a personal matter and a safety matter.”
She said her life changed that day when she was on her way to a morning mass at St. Dominic when she stopped for a red light at the intersection of Route 70 and Burnt Tavern Road. When the light turned green, she drove, while at the same time, someone traveling north attempted to beat the red light and hit Williams’ car at a high rate of speed, totaling her car.
“I didn’t know what hit me,” she said. “I went into shock – I didn’t know what year it was, I didn’t know my address.”
What followed was months of fighting with car insurance companies to cover her medical bills and rehabilitation.
“I’m here before you because every time I go out, I see red light runners,” she said. “Every single time…I watch cars speed up at yellow lights and then go through the red.”
Williams said “anything that reduces the overwhelming number of auto accidents would make life better – I’m afraid to drive.”
During recent council meetings, other members of the public have also complained about drivers running red lights.
After the meeting, Brick Police Sgt. Joseph Rossi, who is in charge of Traffic Safety for the department, said, “On a daily basis, Brick Township police patrol officers, along with our traffic safety officers, conduct routine patrols and enforce motor vehicle violations at intersections and roadways throughout town.”
In addition to these routine efforts, the department also utilizes state-funded traffic enforcement grants dedicated to improving roadway safety. These initiatives allow officers to be out in the community every day, working to promote safe driving and reduce crashes, he said.
And finally, during the Mayor’s Comments section of the council meeting, Mayor Lisa Crate said that two Brick Police Officers lost their K-9 partners over the last month. Captain Paul Catalina lost his partner, Duke, and Officer John Turrin lost his partner, Vader.
“Those were two of our K-9 officers who worked in this township for years with our officers – alongside not just our officers, but alongside kids in school,” the mayor said.
“They were great service dogs and I just want to send out my condolences to those officers and everyone on the force who worked with both Vader and Duke…those dogs were truly their partners for many, many years and we are sorry they’re no longer with us,” she said.
The next council meeting will be on Tuesday, September 9 at 7 p.m.
