Burlington County Operation Helping Hand Program Expanded Services

Defendants with offenses related to drug use will be offered treatment services

MT. HOLLY, NJ (February 13, 2020)–Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced that the Burlington County Operation Helping Hand program has expanded services into the municipal court that

serves Burlington City and Burlington Township, with outreach and treatment options being offered to those arrested on nonviolent offenses related to their drug use.

In partnership with the Burlington Township Police Department, the City of Burlington Police Department, and Solstice Counseling and Wellness Center (“Solstice”), the County Prosecutor’s Municipal Court Diversion Initiative (MCDI) seeks to provide intervention to those arrested for drug-related disorderly persons offenses or petty disorderly persons offenses by presenting the opportunity to enter treatment and have their court matter adjourned for a period of time.

At the successful conclusion of treatment, the defendant will return to court to face the charges, hopefully on the path to recovery so that the municipal prosecutor and municipal judge can consider their progress when determining the appropriate disposition or sentence in the case.

“We will continue to explore different options to provide support and assistance to people struggling with addiction,” Prosecutor Coffina said. “Being arrested puts one at a crossroads, and through the MCDI, we will present the opportunity for a person struggling with substance use to start down the road to recovery. We cannot relent in this effort if we hope to conquer this horrific opioid epidemic, which continues to destroy so many lives.”

Prosecutor Coffina emphasized that the MCDI is not a get-out-of-jail-free card, and

enrolling in a treatment program is no guarantee that the charges will be dropped or reduced. However, the municipal prosecutor and judge will give consideration to program participants who make a good-faith effort to pursue treatment, participate in counseling and embrace the recovery process. Assessments, referrals to an appropriate treatment program for each participant, and assistance with aftercare will be provided by Solstice.

The MCDI program is focused specifically on defendants charged with nonviolent offenses in municipal court. Eligible defendants must be referred by a police officer from the City of Burlington or Burlington Township police departments, or by the municipal prosecutor who prosecutes cases in the joint municipal court.

“We are grateful to Burlington County Assignment Judge Jeanne T. Covert, Municipal Court Presiding Judge Dennis McInerney, Municipal Prosecutor Dan Gee, Burlington Township Public Safety Director Bruce Painter, and City of Burlington Police Chief John Fine for their enthusiastic support of this initiative,” Prosecutor Coffina added. “We look forward to working with them and their agencies to offer help to people whose offenses are driven by addiction rather than malice, while still holding them accountable for their actions.”

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This is the third round of Operation Helping Hand that has been launched in Burlington County by the Prosecutor’s Office. During May and August last year, recovery specialists responded to calls around the clock from local police officers to offer support and access to treatment to individuals soon after they had been revived with naloxone following an overdose, were arrested or were simply struggling with addiction.

The pilot MCDI is expected to run through at least August 2020. In addition, this month the Prosecutor’s Office and law enforcement agencies throughout Burlington County are again making recovery specialists available on a 24/7 basis to anyone they believe could benefit from substance abuse treatment or counseling. This initiative, in partnership with the nonprofit City of Angels, will run throughout the month of February, and be reprised in May and July 2020.

Last year, City of Angels recovery specialists had a greater than 80% success rate in having people agree to recovery coaching, and ultimately, over 33% of the people with whom this connection was made went into treatment.

Operation Helping Hand is a law enforcement-initiated outreach program funded through grants from the United States Department of Health and Human Services, and administered by the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General. The Prosecutor’s current Operation Helping Hand program also includes recovery coach training (see here for more information), a veteran’s initiative, and support for the Burlington County Sheriff’s Department’s Hope One mobile outreach program and the County’s forthcoming recovery resource center, which is expected to open in the summer.

Operation Helping Hand is one of three BCPO initiatives aimed at combatting the opioid epidemic.

Operation Safe Overnight, which began in November 2018, focuses on saving lives and increasing enforcement activity at hotels and motels that have experienced overdoses and drug-related criminal activity. Through this program, with the support of Virtua Health, the BCPO has provided Narcan to county hotels and has also trained hotel employees how to use it to reverse an overdose and save a person’s life.

Straight … to Treatment is a program that allows people to walk off the street and into police stations in three municipalities to seek treatment for drug addiction, regardless of whether they are insured or live in Burlington County.

The Straight … to Treatment program began in Evesham Township in early 2018, expanded to Pemberton Township in September 2018, and to the City of Burlington in April 2019. It has helped connect over 200 people to treatment so far.

Straight … to Treatment Locations and Hours of Operation

Evesham Twp. Police Department, 984 Tuckerton Road, Evesham Township Mondays: noon – 7 p.m.

Pemberton Twp. Police Department, 500 Pemberton-Browns Mills Road, Pemberton Twp. Tuesdays: noon – 6 p.m.

City of Burlington Police Department, 525 High Street, City of Burlington Wednesdays and Thursdays: noon – 6 p.m.

Opioid Treatment

TRUMP VISITS WILDWOOD

WILDWOOD, NJ (February 14, 2020)(CNBNews.net)–Local resident Scott MacAdams (above) was in Wildwood for the Trump Rally on January 28. He writes, \”We were in line for 10 grueling hours, and still didn\’t get in and ended up watching on one of the Jumbotrons. It was a totally awesome day, and we met tons of great \’Deplorables\’. Here are some photos taken that day, please share them with your readers.\”

Wildwood Boardwalk Taken Over by Trump Backers

Democrats Holding Event in Cape May to Counter Trump Rally in Wildwood

photos by Scott MacAdams

Letters to Aunt Hattie Event February 22

Burlington County Freeholder Director Felicia Hopson announced today that the Women’s Advisory Council is hosting an event to celebrate 100 years of women’s suffrage. The year 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing and protecting women’s constitutional right to vote.

“The performance, Letters to Aunt Hattie, celebrates women’s suffrage as well as the contribution of African-American women to the movement,” said Freeholder Director Felicia Hopson. “This one-woman show is truly inspirational and allows us to reflect on and appreciate the legacies of women like Harriet Forten Purvis and Charlotte Forten Grimke who shaped the women’s rights movement.”

The event will be held on Saturday, February 22 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Burlington County Library Auditorium on Pioneer Blvd. in Westampton. It is free and open to the public.

The play is written and performed by Gilletta McGraw based on the real-life activists Harriet Forten Purvis and Charlotte Forten Grimke.

Charlotte Forten, a young, bright student, begins writing letters to her favorite aunt, Aunt Hattie. Through these letters, Charlotte shares her thoughts during her studies and learns about some of the monumental accomplishments of the women in her family. During their back-and-forth correspondence, Charlotte grows in her activism and dedication to serve the oppressed and fight for equality.

Additionally, Harriet Forten Purvis was an African-American abolitionist and first-generation suffragist. With her mother and sisters, she formed the first biracial women’s abolitionist group, the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society, which was the first biracial women’s abolitionist group. She also hosted anti-slavery events at her home and bravely ran an Underground Railroad station, and fought against Segregation.

“This is just one of the events that the Council will be hosting this year to celebrate 100 years of women’s suffrage,” concluded Freeholder Hopson. “We hope that everyone will join us. The anniversary gives us the opportunity to recognize those who have made a difference in history and empower younger generations.”

The Burlington County Women’s Advisory Council works to identify and address issues that affect women in Burlington County, raise public awareness of the special needs and roles of women, provide mentoring opportunities for women, and enhance the quality of life for all women. For more information follow the Council on Facebook at @BurlingtonCountyWomen or visit: http://co.burlington.nj.us/263/Womens-Advisory-Council

NJ American Water Plans Infrastructure Work in Beverly

CAMDEN CITY, N.J. – FEB. 12, 2020 –

New Jersey American Water

will replace approximately 5,100 feet of aging water main in Beverly beginning next week. The project also includes replacing five fire hydrants and 114 utility-owned service lines along the pipeline route. The company will upgrade the aging water lines, installed as far back as the 1930s and as small as four inches in diameter, with new, larger ductile iron main along the following streets:

Laurel Street

from Front Street to Railroad Avenue

Putnam Street

from Laurel Street to Cooper Street

Spruce Street

from Putnam Street to Railroad Avenue

Pine Street

from Laurel Street and Spruce Street

This $800,000 investment will continue to advance water service reliability and increase water flows for household consumption and fire protection in this community. This improvement is part of New Jersey American Water’s multimillion-dollar initiative to accelerate the

renewal of water infrastructure

that has reached the end of its useful life in more than 100 communities across the state.

New Jersey American Water’s local, qualified contractor, Pioneer Pipe Contractors, Inc., will begin work on or about Feb. 17 and expects to finish by the end of April, weather permitting. Work hours will be from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Work outside of these hours is not expected unless required to maintain project schedule. Final street restorations will be completed in the summer of 2020.

For the public’s and workers’ safety, traffic restrictions and/or alternating traffic patterns are likely to occur during work hours. All emergency vehicles and local traffic will be allowed access during construction. New Jersey American Water values the safety of its workers and advises drivers and pedestrians to take caution in the vicinity of work sites.

About New Jersey American Water

New Jersey American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 2.7 million people. For more information, visit

www.newjerseyamwater.com

and follow New Jersey American Water on

Twitter

and

Facebook

About American Water

With a history dating back to 1886, American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse U.S. publicly traded water and wastewater utility company. The company employs more than 7,100 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to more than 14 million people in 46 states. American Water provides safe, clean, affordable and reliable water services to our customers to make sure we keep their lives flowing. For more information, visit

amwater.com

Obituary: Selvajean “Jean” Campanella, Bellmawr

Selvajean “Jean” Campanella (nee Miller), on February 12, 2020, of Bellmawr, formerly of South Philadelphia. Age 82.

Beloved wife of the late Anthony, Sr. Devoted mother of Anthony, Jr. (Dawn) and the late Denise. Loving grandmother of Anthony, III (Diana), Ryan Anthony (Erica), Steffany, Danielle (Justin) and Alayna and great grandmother of Hailey, Liliana and Reese. Dear sister of the late Gloria.

Mrs. Campanella enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and the Shop Rite girls.

Services are private.

Family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Mrs. Campanella’s memory to Animal Welfare Assoc., 509 Centennial Blvd., Voorhees, NJ 08043.

Mt. Holly Woman Found Guilty of Murdering Her Wife

MOUNT HOLLY, NJ (February 12, 2020)–Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced that a 31-year-old woman was convicted today in Superior Court of fatally shooting her wife inside their Mount Holly

home during the summer of 2017.

After deliberating over three days, the jury found Laura Bluestein guilty of Aggravated Manslaughter (First Degree) and Tampering with Evidence (Fourth Degree). The Hon. Terrence R. Cook, P.J.Cr., scheduled sentencing for April 23.

The investigation began on August 6, 2017 when Mount Holly police went to the couple’s Mill Street residence after being notified by Bluestein’s father that an incident had occurred inside the home.

Upon arrival, police discovered the body of Felicia Dormans, 29, who had been shot in the face. Dormans, who was Bluestein’s wife, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutors Jeremy Lackey and Lisa Commentucci. The investigation was conducted by the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and Crime Scene Unit, along with the Mount Holly Police Department. The lead investigator was BCPO Detective Michael Reagan.

In Burlington County, help for victims of domestic abuse and their children is provided free of charge by Providence House. The organization emphasizes that services are offered regardless of race, gender, religion or sexual orientation.

Providence House can be reached through a 24-hour hotline at 1-877-871-7551 or 609-871-7551, or online at

Providence House Domestic Violence Services

200 Club of Burlington County Announces 30th Annual Valor/Scholarship Awards Banquet

Moorestown: The 200 CLUB OF BURLINGTON COUNTY is pleased to announce they will celebrate the organization\’s 30th annual Valor Awards Dinner on Friday February 28, 2020 at Merion Caterers, Route 130, Cinnaminson NJ.

The 200 Club or Burlington County is a charitable, non-profit organization comprised entirely of dedicated volunteers with the primary mission of providing financial assistance to the families of fallen or injured members of the State Police, County and Municipal Police, Fire or Emergency Medical Services serving the citizens of Burlington County. The Club also supports these public safety professionals through the awarding of higher education scholarships, advanced training awards and special recognition awards. The program will include the presentation of awards to several members of the Burlington County law enforcement, fire and EMS community in the categories of HONOR-VALOR, awarded for an act or deed of personal bravery involving risk to the individual\’s own life, above and beyond the performance of duty and the, MERITORIOUS AWARD, awarded for service rendered when an individual, with diligence and perseverance, conspicuously performs their duty, above and beyond the call of duty. Examples: prevents crime, protects life and/or property, apprehends criminals, or otherwise performs a deed which reflects credit upon the individual and the agency he or she represents. The DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD is awarded to an individual who has dedicated years of unqualified giving and service for the betterment of their community, department and profession and ADVANCED TRAINING AWARDS, presented to a department or agency for the purpose of funding advanced public safety training programs which enhance the individual’s ability to perform their duties or conduct the training necessary to improve other members’ capabilities.

In addition, the 200 Club of Burlington County will distribute $10,000 in Scholarship funds by presenting four $2,500 Scholarships to family members of Burlington County police officers, County detectives, troopers, firefighters, or EMS personnel to offset the cost of college.

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The recipients of this year\’s scholarships, one of which is sponsored by Republic Bank and Bowman & Company LLP, Certified Public Accountants include: Haley Chenier of Medford, N.J.,

Madison Congemi of Cinnaminson, N.J. , Jacob Dotson of Pemberton, N.J. and Jarrod LaRosa, of Medford, N.J.

The 200 Club will also present four Advanced Training Awards to local fire and police agencies to fund training for their personnel. The agencies receiving these awards, two of which are sponsored by Bowman & Company, LLP include: Riverside Township for Emergency Medical Technician training, sponsored by the Dietz & Watson Company; Maple Shade Township Police to attend De-Escalation Instructor Course training; Palmyra/Cinnaminson/Riverton EMT to attend a Stop The Bleed Training Control Course and to Evesham Township Fire District for training on the Lion Gas Monitoring Training System to be used at fire scenes. Funds totaling $6,000.00 will be divided and awarded to these agencies to fund, and/or provide education and training. In addition, Mount Laurel resident Debbie Johnson, wife of former Moorestown Police Public Safety Harry Johnson also contributes funds for the training and education in his memory.

The 200 Club’s Honor-Valor Award Committee will present the Distinguished Service Award to Colonel Edward R. Reynolds, for his lifetime commitment to the betterment, protection and service to his country and community for over 50 years and to acknowledge his service to the Burlington County Office of Emergency Management and the citizens of Burlington County.

The recipients of the Meritorious Service Awards include Maple Shade Police Corporal Robert Bennett, Officer Mark O’Brien, Officer Joseph Capate and Officer Justin Jericho for their actions dealing with an armed suspect. Corporal Bennett began negotiations with the armed suspect while Officers O’Brien, Capate and Jericho removed the suspect’s wife from danger and secured the area to protect surrounding residents. Corporal Bennett convinced the suspect to surrender. Officers located a fully-loaded handgun with an extended magazine and ammunition.

Also included in the Meritorious Service Awards are Riverside police Sergeant Brando Conard, Ptlm. Anthony Congemi, Ptlm. Brandon Griffin and Ptlm. Shane Pettit for their efforts in apprehending a violent sexual predator. Officers responded to a report of a missing 14-year-old female. When Officers arrived they were briefed by the victim’s mother and learned a suspect known to the girl broke into her bedroom window and forced the victim to go with him at knifepoint. The suspect, a 17-year-old male, was located and arrested in Delanco as a result of these Officers\’ quick actions. The victim was located unharmed.

The Honor/Valor Award is being presented to Chief Robert McFarland, Bordentown Fire District and Firefighter Tom Capraro, Vincentown Fire Company, and a Good Samaritan, Tyler Schulte, for their actions in rescuing a trapped occupant from a residential dwelling fire on April 16, 2019. As a result of their bravery, the occupant survive the ordeal.

President’s Award 200 Club President Steve Raymond will be presenting five (5) President’s Awards to several members of the Law Enforcement community helping the fight against opioid addiction. Prosecutor

Scott Coffina, Evesham Chief of Police Christopher Chew, City of Burlington Chief John Fine and Pemberton Township Chief David H. Jantas will be recognized for developing Straight to Treatment. The Straight to Treatment program allows anyone struggling with addiction to voluntarily walk into a police station and be referred immediately to a treatment program. Individuals will not be subject to charges even if they come in high or carrying drugs. Additionally, Lt. Louis Fisher, Riverside Police Department, will be recognized for his development of NJ Treatment Incentive Program (NJTIP). NJTIP tasks police with identifying “high risk” addicted individuals, and these individuals are brought in and given the opportunity to go into long-term treatment as an alternative to prosecution. With both programs the recidivism rates are drastically lower than individuals who are subjected to the ordinary criminal justice process.

Major Albert Della Fave, (Ret) N.J.S.P

The guest speaker for the event is Albert Della Fave, Major (Ret) New Jersey State Police. Major Della Fave retired from employment with the New Jersey State Police in November of 2009, having served the agency with distinction since June 1985. On September 27, 2008 he was promoted to Major and assigned as the Regional Operations Intelligence Center Task Force Commander, which also encompassed the Office of Cease Fire Operations. This statewide initiative focused on reducing urban street violence through the coordination of intelligence-led policing partnered with social services and community outreach activities. Prior to his promotion to Major he was assigned to the Office of Public Information since 1993. He was designated chief spokesperson and Director of Communications responsible for the dissemination of information concerning the functions and activities of the Division of State Police. He is a graduate of Upsala College where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree, and Seton Hall University where he received a master degree in education.

Event Details

Date: February 28, 2020

Time: Reception: 6:00 p.m. – Dinner/Awards: 7:00 p.m.

Location: Merion Caterers, Route 130 Cinnaminson, New Jersey 08077

The banquet is open to members of the general public, friends and family of recipients. Tickets may be obtained by contacting the 200 Club of Burlington County at 856-222-0100. Single tickets are $90 per person and a table for 10 guests for $900. Each ticket includes dinner and 1 hour open bar reception.

Financial Secretary Charged with Stealing $561,777 from St. Paul\’s Baptist Church in Florence

Taisha D. Smith-DeJoseph

FLORENCE NJ (February 11, 2020) –

Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina and Florence Township Police Department Officer in Charge Jonathan Greenberg announced that a financial secretary has been charged with embezzling more than $561,000 from the church where she served as a volunteer.

Taisha D. Smith-DeJoseph, 43, of Baldwin Lane in Willingboro, was charged with Theft by Deception (Second Degree), Computer Criminal Activity (Second Degree), Misapplication of Entrusted Property (Second Degree), four counts of Failure to File Personal Income Tax (Third Degree), five counts of Failure to Pay Income Tax (Third Degree) and Filing a Fraudulent Income Tax Return (Third Degree).

The investigation began after officials from St. Paul’s Baptist Church who suspected the theft contacted the BCPO Financial Crimes Unit. The investigation revealed that over a five-year period ending in March 2019, Smith-DeJoseph, who was responsible for overseeing the church’s finances, opened electronic bank accounts for St. Paul’s and used the funds for personal purposes.

In addition to the unapproved electronic spending, Smith-DeJoseph also issued payroll and supply reimbursement checks to herself from St. Paul’s bank accounts. She fabricated monthly statements to hide the church’s true financial state.

The investigation revealed that Smith-DeJoseph used the money to pay her car loans, rent, credit card expenses, satellite television and cell phone bills, to make hundreds of online purchases and and even to pay for her wedding at a Burlington County venue. The investigation determined that Smith-DeJoseph embezzled a total of $561,777.

In an attempt to hide the embezzlement scheme from the government, Smith-DeJoseph failed to file income tax returns for 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2018. From 2014 through 2018, she failed to pay the appropriate amount of taxes, and in 2017, filed a fraudulent tax return.

The case will now be prepared for presentation to a Burlington County Grand Jury for possible indictment. Smith-DeJoseph will be prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Andrew R. McDonnell, supervisor of the Financial Crimes Unit.

The investigation was conducted by the BCPO Financial Crimes Unit, the New Jersey Department of the Treasury and the Florence Township Police Department. The lead investigators are BCPO Detective Nicholas Schieber and Florence Police Detective Nicole Bonilla.

All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Mt. Laurel Man Charged with Possession, Distribution of Child Pornography

MOUNT LAUREL, NJ–(February 10, 2020)–Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina and Mount Laurel Police Chief Stephen Riedener announced that a 56-year-old Mount Laurel man has been charged with possessing and distributing child pornography.

Marco Pulcini, 56, of Wilderness Run Court, was charged with four counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Second Degree).

Pulcini was arrested on February 7 at his residence following the execution of a search warrant. Multiple electronic devices were seized and will be examined by detectives from the BCPO High-Tech Crimes Unit.

The investigation began after the BCPO High-Tech Crimes Unit received information regarding Pulcini’s online activities from United States Homeland Security Investigations – Cherry Hill Office.

The investigation revealed that Pulcini utilized file-sharing software to allow others to access child pornography in his possession.

Pulcini was released following a first appearance over the weekend in Superior Court in Mount Holly. The case will now be prepared for presentation to a Burlington County Grand Jury for possible indictment. He will be prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Joseph Remy.

The investigation was conducted by the BCPO High-Tech Crimes Unit, with assistance from United States Homeland Security Investigations – Cherry Hill Office, the New Jersey State Police and the Mount Laurel Township Police Department. The lead investigator was HSI Special Agent Jennifer Miller, who is presently designated as an acting BCPO detective.

The Prosecutor’s Office High-Tech Crimes Unit is a member of the New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and the New Jersey State Police Cyber Terrorism Task Force.

All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Law Enforcement Investigating Fatal Shooting of 4-Year-Old in Brown Mills

PEMBERTON TOWNSHIP (February 8, 2020)– –

Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina and Pemberton Township Police Chief David Jantas announced that a 4-year boy died last night from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Emergency medical technicians and officers from the Pemberton Township Police Department were called to the family’s home on Maricopa Trail just after 7 p.m. and discovered Lincoln Mack with a gunshot wound to his cheek. He was transported to Capital Health Emergency Department at Deborah Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at approximately 8 p.m.

The investigation revealed that the boy gained access to an unsecured handgun in the home. The evidence indicates that the shooting was accidental and appeared to be self-inflicted.

“Our hearts are with Lincoln’s family in the wake of this unspeakable tragedy,” Prosecutor Coffina said. “However, an accident like this is entirely preventable. I urge everyone who owns a gun to go – right now – and make sure it is secure and not accessible to any children in their home.”

Lincoln’s parents and two siblings were inside the home at the time of the shooting.

The investigation is ongoing and no charges have been filed as of now.

The incident is being investigated by detectives from the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office and the Pemberton Township Police Department.