LAKEHURST – Security guards will remain on duty at cannabis stores in the borough. A move to lift that requirement from municipal code was discussed during a recent council meeting.
During that session Police Chief Matthew Kline brought up his concerns noting the number of calls made to the community’s cannabis establishments and recommending that the governing body’s requirement of them remain in place.
Councilman Steven Oglesby said there was a review by the Cannabis Ordinance Committee and due to some clerical issues, some wording needed to be tightened up. The idea had been presented to remove the portion requiring armed security at the cannabis businesses in the community.
“We haven’t seen any evidence that it has been really necessary,” Oglesby said. “We can open up to questions and comments to see where we are now with it.”
Chief Kline expressed his opposition to removing the armed security guards from the borough’s three establishments. He cited 48 incidents of police response to those businesses – not all of which were during hours of operation. “I don’t see why we should go backwards.”
He noted the argument that liquor establishments do not have the same requirement. “We respond to liquor establishments in a fraction of that number.”
“There is no price tag on public safety. I feel we should keep the ordinance the way it is,” the chief said. “That is what we have been doing from the beginning. I believe we should keep this in place for the community and for public safety. I’d hate to go back later to something we already have in place.”
Councilman Oglesby pointed out that some of the incidents from the list of 48 were for calls that occurred after the cannabis vendor was closed. “I’m all for armed security guards. I’m not for making it a requirement.” Some of the incidents were alarm responses after hours.
Mayor Harry Robbins said “I agree with the chief.”
Councilman Robert McCarthy pointed out that “the 48 incidents happened with a security guard.”
Oglesby said there was 27 officer requests, four disturbances, one juvenile incident, one suspicious person. “I did not include a motor vehicle incident because they are not in the building.”
“For the record I am for the armed security guards. I am not necessarily for the requirement for it. If I were a business owner, they would want it as a good insurance protection. As far as making it a law, that is where I have an issue with it and that is why we also wanted to have your comments,” Oglesby told Chief Kline.
Councilwoman Patricia Hodges remarked that it was “not our job to run the town. Our job is to see that the town is well run. The chief was professional and well prepared. If he feels this is important, I support him.”
“The stats may not be overwhelming but I’d like to see it remain as is,” Hodges added.
Councilwoman Bernadette Dugan agreed. “I defer to Chief Kline. He’s not an alarmist.”
“I defer to the chief,” McCarthy added.
Mayor Robbins suggested the chief be added to future meetings of the Cannabis Ordinance Committee.
“We knew what his thoughts were on this,” Oglesby noted.
Council President Jeffrey Emmons said, “I’m for having security guards.”
Having an unarmed security guard didn’t appeal to the officials. Noting one incident, “what would having an unarmed security guard do against somebody armed with a machete? I agree with the chief.”
A Lakehurst cannabis business owner said during the meeting that he was surprised to hear the number of incidents listed by Chief Kline. He remarked, “I want the town to be comfortable. We opened over 100 dispensaries.”
Mayor Robbins said the next meeting of the governing body would introduce the ordinance for its first reading. The ordinance will not remove the requirement of an armed security guard.
In other business, Hodges reported on recent snowfall cleanup efforts by the Borough’s Department of Public Works saying, “snowfall removal was obviously a challenge but overall they did a good job. There were no cars on the street during plowing. We are prepared for another storm when we have it.”
Councilwoman Dugan noted that high turnout for this year’s Lakehurst Historical Society Soup & Chili Cookoff “which was a great success.”
She also noted that due to President Donald Trump’s tariffs, the cost of fireworks for Independence Day in the borough will rise from $14,331 to $16,767. A counter plan which was said to be less costly would involve a drone display.
The council meeting occurred prior to a decision by the United States Supreme Court which stuck down much of Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs, which were invoked based on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
Hours after the decision made last week, Trump announced on Truth Social that he’d be leveraging a new act, Section 122, to impose 10% tariffs globally – and one day later hiked them to 15%. It is unknown at this writing as to whether this is legal and whether the Borough’s fireworks display cost might drop back to be affordable enough to do or if the drone display will actually replace it as was discussed.
