Officers' handling of Bridgewater Commons Mall fight sparks concerns of One officer pushed the white teen into a seated position on the couch . a video showing twoofficers breaking up a fight between two teens, one Black and one white, at Bridgewater Commons over the weekend went viral, Black teen restrained by police in Bridgewater fight hires George Floyd's family lawyer, Tasers, hailed as a way to avoid deadly police shootings, are seldom used in NJ, NJ AG reveals names of cops who have been suspended, demoted, terminated, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. BRIDGEWATER - The township has found itself in the center of the national controversy over police use of force after a video showing two officers breaking up a fight between two teens, one. Have a news tip? Bridgewater/Raritan, NJ Police & Fire | TAPinto Officer Patrick Knapp was promoted to sergeant. The first list was released in August 2021 and covered the second half of 2020. The theme for the 2022 celebration is Fire RARITAN, NJ - The Raritan Borough Police Department is now an accredited law enforcement agency in New Jersey. 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"In order to absolutely ensure that these policies and regulations were upheld in this instance, Chief (Paul) Payne has requested that the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office conduct an independent review of the incident, with the unqualified support of the BPD.". At about 2:29 a.m., a Volkswagen Tiguan was traveling in the left lane of southbound I-287 and a pedestrian, Alfred Hernandez, was walking near the left lane ahead of the vehicle, State Police said. International Womens Day Event! A victim reported Sept. 15 that their vehicle had been burglarized while it was parked in the lot of Seasons 52, on Commons Way. BREAKING: Black teen restrained by police in NJ mall fight video hires George Floyd's family lawyer, Although an investigation is still gathering the facts about this incident, Im deeply disturbed by what appears to be racially disparate treatment in this video. My grandparents were from Bound Brook, and I used to go through Bridgewater to go see them, he said. His mother, Ebon, who only shared her first name to NBC New York, was outraged. Before the New Jersey Supreme Court decision, the Garden State shielded the identities of officers disciplined or fired from the public. He said increasing trust between police and the community has been a hallmark of his administration from day one. Two Bridgewater Police Department cops arrive and pull the White teen onto a nearby couch, as they pin the Black teen, 14, to the floor and handcuff him. Violation of the Department Code of Ethics. The officer lied to supervisors when questioned and lied again during an [Internal Affairs] investigation, according to the report. The directive came after the New Jersey Supreme Court authorized the public release of such info on a going-forward basis. The driver of the Volkswagen Tiguan remained on scene and was not injured, State Police said. It doesnt take two cops to hold a 14-year-old boy down whos not resisting, while the other boy is just kind of going free and still going off on my son. Black teen restrained by police in NJ mall fight video hires George Floyd's family lawyer, After Bridgewater Commons mall fight, NAACP calls for police officers removal, Tasers, hailed as a way to avoid deadly police shootings, are seldom used in NJ, NJ AG reveals names of cops who have been suspended, demoted, terminated, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. The fire broke out on Sunday in the Finderne section of Bridgewater Township. Home | Bridgewater Police WEBINAR: Learn About Wills, Living Trusts and Nursing Home Asset Protection, Saint Joseph High School Annual Basket Raffle, School Bus Company Seeking Fleet Mechanic, Protect Your Home from Ticks with Yard Guard from Viking Pest, Now Hiring Front Counter Sales/Business Development, Bridgewater Area Pets Up For Adoption: Clara, Casper, Caleb & More, Patch's Playground Spotlight: North Branch Park, Somerville Coffee Shop Rebrands Itself Again, This Time For Good, Bridgewater Boy's Love Of Pokmon Grows Into Thriving Business, Defeated: Largest Development In Bridgewater's History Since Mall, Gourmet Breakfast & Lunch Caf Opens In Bridgewater. Get involved by signing 7,678 people like this 8,626 people follow this http://patch.com/new-jersey/bridgewater alexis.tarrazi@patch.com BRIDGEWATER, NJ For the second time, the New Jersey Attorney General's Office publicly released all the names of New Jersey police officers who were subject to "major discipline" in 2021 and a police officer with Bridgewater Township police is on that list. pic.twitter.com/ThJPQFNEzO. NJ School Aid 2023: Whos Getting More, Whos Getting Less, Bridgewater Schools To Gain $1.1M In State Aid Next Year. Smith said the state conference was disappointed to see police actions "irrefutably showing the disparate treatment of African-Americans in our police institutions.". BRIDGEWATER The Bridgewater Police Department has called for an internal affairs investigation after a video circulated on social media showing officers response to a fight at Bridgewater Commons over the weekend. During his COVID-19 news conference on Wednesday, Murphy reiterated his concern for the apparent racially disparate treatment in the video. Former police chief: Bridgewater mall fight response was 'dangerous Video of the incident shows a group of young people gathered in a seating area at the mall and two boys, one white and one Black, standing up in a verbal altercation. At the same time, the white youth, at least equally at fault for the fight as his Black counterpart, was carefully eased onto a couch and treated like a victim," said Smith, adding that this issomething Blacks in New Jersey experience too often. Bridgewater Cop Suspended 180 Days For 'Truthfulness' Bridgewater Mall Investigation Continues, Officials Want Answers BRIDGEWATER, NJ - According to unofficial results, all budgets passed in the fire districts in the Feb. 18 elections. One officer pushed the white teen into a seated position on the couch, according to the video. Hospitality Opportunities in Food Services, Housekeeping And Others! Sarah Berkovits began her career as a substitute teacher in the Bridgewater-Raritan school system before moving to Buildings and Grounds. He was kind of saying, like, Youre a little kid, youre my little pet, and stuff like that, he told NBC New York. Korrie Keats, 38, of Plainfield, was arrested Oct. 12 at about . A pair of New Jersey police officers are facing criticism for how they responded to a fight between teenagers at a shopping mall. Bernards Township Officer David Martin was suspended for 31 days in 2021 for "violation of Bernards Township Police Department Policies and Procedures and Rules and Regulations," read the report. The theft happened in the middle of the day on Thursday, according to Bridgewater Police. Bridgewater/Raritan, NJ Local News | TAPinto Bridgewater/Raritan, NJ Police Blotter | TAPinto Welcome to the Official Bridgewater Police Department (NJ) Facebook Page. Social media postings have drawn law enforcement attention nationally, Bridgewater Township Police said, but no real threat has been found. Gov. According to police, the victim had been unloading items from their BRIDGEWATER, NJ - Bridgewater Township Police have released the police blotter for the end of November through mid December. Murphy's 2024 budget. The post says police have received videos from community members and asks that anyone who has a video of the incident to email it totips@bridgewaterpd.com. ", Discipline:NJ AG reveals names of cops who have been suspended, demoted, terminated. But it's the police response that some, including voices heard on the video and Gov. Two people reported being shot in the head by a BB or pellet gun in separate shootings at the mall in January, said police. To register complaints about emails from TAPinto.net, please email, Bridgewater Police Release Police Blotter, With Car Thefts, Shoplifting Incidents, Bridgewater Police Release Blotter With DWI, Burglary Charges, Bridgewater Police Release New Blotter, Including Thefts, DWI Reports, Raritan Police Blotter Include Arrests for Lewdness, Alcohol Possession, More, Bridgewater Police Blotter Includes Theft, DWI Charges, Bridgewater Police Release New Police Blotter, with Burglaries, DWI, More, Bridgewater Police Blotter Includes Arrests for DWI, Reports of Vehicle Burglaries, Bridgewater Police Release Police Blotter, With Arrests for Shoplifting DWI Since April, Bridgewater Police Blotter Includes Motor Vehicle Thefts, DWI Charges, Bridgewater Police Report DWIs, Burglaries, Thefts in March 10 Police Blotter, Raritan Police: Be Careful of Fraudulent Calls Demanding Money, Bridgewater Police Investigating Shoplifting Incidents at Nordstrom Rack, Macy's, Bridgewater Police Investigating Shoplifting Attempt at Home Depot, DWI, Shoplifting, Other Charges in Bridgewater Police Blotter. According to Superintendent Robert Beers, the district experienced a service disruption Monday that BRIDGEWATER, NJ - Rumors about a threat to Bridgewater-Raritan High School are completely unsubstantiated, according to Bridgewater Police Lt. Kevin Lamey. WEBINAR: Learn About Wills, Living Trusts and Nursing Home Asset Protection, Saint Joseph High School Annual Basket Raffle, School Bus Company Seeking Fleet Mechanic, Protect Your Home from Ticks with Yard Guard from Viking Pest, Now Hiring Front Counter Sales/Business Development, Bridgewater Area Pets Up For Adoption: Clara, Casper, Caleb & More, McDonald's Shamrock Shake Returns To Bridgewater, Patch's Playground Spotlight: North Branch Park, Somerville Coffee Shop Rebrands Itself Again, This Time For Good, Bridgewater Boy's Love Of Pokmon Grows Into Thriving Business, Defeated: Largest Development In Bridgewater's History Since Mall, Gourmet Breakfast & Lunch Caf Opens In Bridgewater. The winning name was chosen by sixth grader Timmy Miessler, of Branchburg, and Ruthanne Ungerleider, a BRIDGEWATER, NJ - A 25-year career police officer in Bridgewater Township, John Mitzak was sworn in Oct. 20 as the eighth police chief of the township department. We strive to enhance the quality of life for all members of the community. Toll Free: (800) 544-3318. Video of New Jersey officers pinning down and handcuffing - CBS News Violation of the Employee Handbook concerning alcohol-free workplace. We also protect and serve patrons, visitors and workers of the businesses and large corporations in town such as the Bridgewater Commons Mall, Bausch Health, iConnective, Sanofi-Aventis, J&J, MetLife, PVH, Qualcomm and events at TD Bank Park which is home of the Somerset Patriots - AA Affiliate of the New York Yankees, We also protect and serve patrons, visitors and workers of the businesses and large corporations in town such as the Bridgewater Commons Mall, Bausch Health, iConnective, Sanofi-Aventis, J&J, MetLife, PVH, Qualcomm and events at TD Bank Park which is home of the Somerset Patriots - AA Affiliate of the New York Yankees, 2023 Bridgewater Police Department. The 2021 report also shows 17 agencies in the county had no police with major violations. The suit claimed Raritan cops shouldn't have released Ronald B. Rebernik after arresting him for heroin hours before the deadly 2018 crash. 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The confrontation escalated with the two throwing punches at each other as onlookers shouted, according to the video. Failure to conduct himself with high ethical standards. Racially motivated.. John Mitzak Sworn in as New Bridgewater Police Chief BRIDGEWATER, NJ - A 25-year career police officer in Bridgewater Township, John Mitzak was sworn . Authorities are searching several states for the veteran, who may be in severe emotional distress and in need of medical help. Crump added: "ZKye was no more of a threat to those officers than the white teen who fought with him. North Plainfield Patrolman Francis Steinhauser was fired for "Statutory Misconduct" for multiple violations of insubordination, failure to obey orders of the Chief of Police, absent without leave, according to the report. As the Black teen is being handcuffed on the ground, the white teen is seen standing up looking at the officers before the female officer sits him back on the couch as the Black teen is lifted off the ground by the male officer. Bystanders stepped in to restrain Faris N. Salem of South Bound Brook until Bridgewater Police Officers arrived, according to the report. The appearance of what is racially disparate treatment is deeply, deeply disturbing and it's just another reminder that the progress we've made on the relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve that our work is not done,and we need to continue that. The fight, which took place Saturday at Bridgewater Commons in Bridgewater Township, New Jersey, was captured on video and prompted a review of the officers conduct, as well as strong words from the governor. Martin reportedly has since resigned from the police department. Raritan Police said Scott Edge, 47, of Flemington, was found sitting at the bar smoking a cigarette while the restaurant was closed. Bridgewater found itself in the eye of a media storm after a 15-second video went viral of a fight between two teenagers at Bridgewater Commons that was broken up by two township police. Two dirt bikes and a catalytic converter were also stolen within the last month in the township, according to police. By: News 12 Staff. New Jersey Attorney General's Office investigation into Bridgewater Police's handling of a teen mall fight in February 2022 is complete. We have to let the investigation play out. In the video, posted just after the incident BRIDGEWATER, NJ - Bridgewater Township added its newest police officer to the force Jan. 19. Some three dozen individuals were in attendance, including Gallos family, the five council members and about a dozen Bridgewater police RARITAN, NJ - A Flemington man was arrested for criminal mischief after allegedly breaking a window at Char Restaurant, on Route 202, Jan. 23, according to Raritan Borough Police. Removal Requests Moench noted in a statement that the rules governing use of force by police officers in New Jersey are codified by the state attorney generals office. The police department's post generated more than 200 comments, some questioning why both teens weren't restrained, or if the fight could have been broken up without the use of handcuffs. A person in the background is heard saying: Yo, its cause hes Black. The settlement is for a total of $450,000, according to court documents, with $100,000 to go into a BRIDGEWATER, NJ - Phase one of Bridgewater Townships new BridgewaterSHIELD program has officially been released, with plans for improving on community policing in the township. SOLD OUT! That video says it all," he said. The Bridgewater Police Department, with seventy-eight officers, serves and protects a diverse residential population of over 45,000 persons. Black teen handcuffed by police at mall while white teen was scared of what could've happened. Phil Murphy, are questioning as racially motivated. Police are asking anyone with video of the incident to share it with the department, and they asked the Somerset County Prosecutors Office to conduct an independent review of the officers conduct. Copyright 2023 TAP IP LLC, All rights reserved. To the best of our knowledge, the New Jersey Attorney General has concluded their investigation, said a township official BRIDGEWATER, NJ - The Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District has released information related to a cybersecurity incident involving information about some employees and individuals on the districts employee insurance plan.