Category: NORTH JERSEY

Former Gloucester City Firefighter Michael Malinowski Dies Suddenly; Age 40; Services Saturday in Morton, Pa

William E. Cleary Sr. | CNBNews

MORTON, PA (December 10, 2019)—Former Gloucester City firefighter Michael Malinowski died suddenly on December 3.   Malinowski was a volunteer firefighter with the Gloucester City Fire Department from 1996 to 2015. A few years back he and his family moved to Morton, Pa where he continued to serve as the captain of the Morton Rutledge Volunteer Fire Department.

Michael Malinowski Sr.

On Monday evening, Dec. 2 Malinowski responded to the report of trees and wires down just after 8 p.m. in Nether Providence, Pa. Following the call, Malinowski reported to officers that he was feeling ill, according  to the

DelcoTimes

.

“He was running the duty engine Monday night when they came back he let some of the crew know he wasn’t feeling well,” said Morton Rutledge Fire Chief Don Holstein. “He went to work the next morning, had tightness in his chest and was taken to the hospital where he died.”

Malinowski\’s wife, Melissa Anne posted on her Facebook page,

“My world came crashing down when Michael Malinowski unexpectedly passed away,” she posted on his Facebook page Wednesday.

“I drove him crazy but he loved me, Harper, Cooper, Matt, Michael, & Bailey with all that he had. There were some days the fire house or cooking might have topped us though. I keep wishing we would all wake up from this nightmare. Please keep me, the kids, his mom, his sister, and the rest of his family in your thoughts. I love and miss you so much.”

Malinowski had been with the fire company for five years after being a firefighter in Gloucester City, N.J. Holstein said he was promoted to captain in the past two years.

“You’d walk in and he was the guy who was always there,” Holstein said. “He was all about helping others, either in community or helping friend. If you needed someone one to help you move he was there, an outstanding individual.” reported the

DelcoTimes

.

Holstein said Malinowski was involved in numerous aspects of the fire company from being on the board of directors to training, fund raising and running the website. \”There wasn’t anything you asked that he wouldn’t get done.\”

Since his death the American flag at the fire station on Alfa Terrace has been flying at half staff and black bunting is wrapped on the trucks as Holstein and his 25- 30 fellow firefighters came to gripes with losing one of their own.

Gloucester City Battalion Chief Pat Hagan said, \”Michael was a dedicated volunteer firefighter for the city of Gloucester City for 19 years. He gave his all to serving the residents of our community and our fire department. He will be missed not only by his friends in Gloucester City but also by those he served with in Morton, Pa. Our prayers and condolences are with his family.\”

Hagan said some members of the Gloucester City Fire Department will travel to Morton, Pa for the services.

\”We are very saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Firefighter Malinowski,\” said Gloucester City Mayor Dan Spencer.

\”We are grateful for his service to the citizens of Gloucester City. His sacrifice is certainly noticed and appreciated. Our heartfelt sympathy, thoughts and prayers are with his family and the Firefighter Family during this difficult time. May he rest in peace,\” said the Mayor.

Delaware County Department of Emergency Services Executive Director Timothy Boyce said his office was informed of Malinowski’s death and notified state officials.

Boyce said there is a window of coverage for first responders that may have had a medical event while on duty pending an investigation.

The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 27 and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 654 are collecting toys for the Malinowski five children (ages 3 to 17). Gifts can be dropped off at Folcroft police or the IBEW Local Union 654. Business Office -3729 Chichester Ave. Boothwyn, PA 19061.

Predeceased by his father Robert Malinowski, Sr.

Survived by his cherished wife Melissa (nee Aglidian) Malinowski; adoring children; Harper, Cooper, Matthew, Michael Jr., and Baily Malinowski; his beloved mother Lucille (nee Pratz) Malinowski; loving brother of Robert Jr., and Theresa Malinowski; his in-laws, Sally and Hans Aglidian, Thomas Aglidian (Maureen) and Shannon Hollar (Alex).

His funeral service will take place Saturday, Dec. 14.  A viewing and service will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 2130 Franklin Ave. in Holmes from 9:30 a.m. to noon. A funeral Mass will follow in the church at noon.

Funeral Services are under the direction of the D\’Anjolell-Barone Memorial Home, 2811 West Chester Pike, Broomall, PA 19008

Phone

:

(610) 356-4200.

Interment Private. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his name made to the Morton-Rutledge Fire Company 38 Alfa Terrace Morton, PA 19070 would be appreciated.

published

Gloucestercitynews.net

Related:

Gloucester City News

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BREAKING NEWS

Holiday gifts teachers really want

Looking for a special teacher gift for the holidays? Take a tip from teachers themselves.

by:

GreatSchools Staff

|

December 5, 2012

Sure that “World’s Best Teacher” coffee mug is cute, but imagine how many of them an experienced teacher already has! Here, teachers share what gifts they’d really like, and it turns out that gifts from the heart are among the most appreciated.

Teachers tell us what they want

There is a perfect gift for every teacher, as comments from these teachers show:

“I am a teacher so I have plenty of knowledge on this topic. Gift cards are a beautiful thing; restaurants, stores, movies, grocery cards are all really great gifts. Flowers are also a nice gesture.”

“I always enjoy getting flowers or a gift card,” adds Dr. Ruth Jacoby, an educational consultant in Florida and co-author of the

School Talk! Success Series

. “Many of my parents usually ask other staff what my likes are. One school at the beginning of the year sent a survey to all staff members on likes and favorites, so many times I get gift baskets with my favorite coffee, snacks, and books.”

The always popular gift card

Teachers told us that gift cards they can use to treat themselves to something special or buy supplies for the class are always appreciated. You can even pick up a wide assortment of gift cards at many grocery stores, making this gift even easier!

Homemade gifts and cards

A teacher in Washington, writes:

“My students always ask me what I want for Christmas. My answer is the same every year. I ask for a homemade Christmas ornament with the child’s name and year on it.

“Each Christmas, as I hang these ornaments made by precious hands, I remember those students. I reflect on the difference that I made in those lives and my new year’s resolution is already made, to continue to make a positive difference in the lives of my students!

“I have over 25 years of ornaments that I now display. Each one is filled with memories.”

A gift for the whole class

“My favorite gifts to receive from my students are those that I can use at school,” writes a Mississippi teacher and mother of two.

“Because of tight supply budgets, practical items like pens, pencils, cap erasers, paper clips, sticky notes, and lined notebook paper make ideal gifts for teachers. A personal note from the student that the teacher can place in his/her ‘memory’ file will make the gift special.”

Other teachers agreed that gifts to teacher supply stores, bookstores, or other places they could buy much-needed things for the classroom were greatly appreciated.

One teacher suggested that parents can tap their own skills to make a special contribution to the classroom: “One of the best gifts that I ever received as an educator was the donation of a parent’s carpentry skills to put a door on an ugly sink cupboard for my classroom.”

Donations in the teacher’s name

Several teachers told us that they love to see students helping others in their honor. Margaret Wallace, a special education teacher in Queensbury, New York, said, “The only gift giving these days which I support is donations to causes which one cares about.”

Of course, most teachers care deeply about education, so if your child’s school is lucky enough to have most everything it needs, a donation to

DonorsChoose

may be a great way to honor your teacher. DonorsChoose is a nonprofit that allows teachers to post specific requests for their classrooms and donors to directly fund them. You can fund a project in the name of your child’s teacher or give the teacher a gift certificate to use to help the project of her choice. There are classrooms all across the country looking for help paying for field trips, science equipment, and more.

Get a wish list from the teacher

One parent shared this practical approach for pooling resources and getting teachers things they need:

“Most teachers equip their classroom using their own money. I ask the teacher what he/she could use for the classroom and put together a wish list and pass that out to the parents.

“I found that most teachers wish for a globe, a stack of books, dictionaries, craft material, replacement parts for the computer like a mouse or mouse pad. Often these items are more than what an individual parent wants to spend, but if two or three join together the item can be bought. This helps the teacher by keeping those coffee cups to a minimum and helps your child too, by providing better instructional materials.”

You can also:

• Donate a book to the school library in honor of the teacher.

• Make a donation in honor of the teacher to the PTA, a school foundation or a children’s charity.

• Give a gift certificate good for “One day of cutting out art projects from Jane’s Mom.”

If you really want to buy something…

Mary Beltran, a second-grade teacher in Pacifica, California, says:

“Most teachers I know always appreciate gift [cards] to Starbucks, Target, school supply stores, or bookstores. New teachers, who spend a lot of their own money on books and supplies, especially appreciate these gifts.”

She also emphasized that a personal touch makes a gift special, as she says, “I always get a kick out of gifts that have been chosen or made by a child.”

Scrip gifts

Marcie Wollesen, a third grade teacher in San Francisco, suggests that parents consider purchasing their gifts through scrip organizations. Scrip brokerages, such as

eScrip

, are groups that coordinate merchants and schools for mutual benefit, with a percentage of the profits going to the school of your choice. “Scrip gives money back on purchases, so that makes so much sense to me,” says Wollesen.

If your school isn’t already raising money with scrip, consider starting a scrip program so that parents can buy from participating retailers and see a portion of their money go back to the school. Parent groups can work with merchants directly or through a scrip broker who does the coordinating in return for a portion of the profits. Be sure to choose your scrip broker carefully by checking credit references and contacting other parent groups.

Donate to a teacher’s favorite cause

Peggy Mannion, an eighth grade social studies teacher in San Francisco, remembers one especially meaningful gift:

“A student made a donation to the American Cancer Society in my name. I liked that, because, you know, I don’t need anything! I mean if somebody said ‘I gave ten dollars to a homeless person instead of buying you a gift,’ I’d be thrilled!”

Just say thanks!

Many teachers told us their favorite gift was as simple as positive or grateful words. As one Oregon teacher noted, don’t underestimate the value of praise.

“A supportive, positive letter, with a copy to the teacher’s administrator and/or school board would be a wonderful gift,” the teacher wrote. “And don’t forget those marvelous ‘Letters to the Editor’ in newspapers.”

“Heartfelt letters mean the most,” said Washington teacher Sandi George. “I always keep them in my teaching album,” she said. “It’s important for parents to let us know how much they appreciate all we have done. We work hard at what is often a thankless job.”

Florida teacher Cynthia J. Bradford wrote:

“The best gifts I have gotten are the ones my parents have given me — tears at hearing their child read for the first time in 6th grade, a letter to the superintendent about how their child is reading for the first time in the 8th grade, and a letter to the BOE (Board of Education) and the local paper telling how their child is reading and going back to church because he can read.

How Vegas hotels inspire loyalty among patrons

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(Dec. 10, 2019)–The customer, like all businesses, is the most important person in both the hotel and casino industry and by extension, their loyalty is vital to their success.

Loyalty schemes and bonuses aren’t anything new – just about every business offering a product or service utilizes them. Pick up a coffee at any local shop and you’ll fill another space on the loyalty card, log on to an online casino and you’ll be able to claim comp points for the games that you play.

Loyalty schemes and rewards aren’t anything new, but how effective each method is is still up for debate. But those discussing will struggle to argue that the Vegas hotels and casinos are at the forefront of the loyalty business.

There are

so

many different hotels in Vegas and with each one competing for the same customers, it’s hardly a surprise that loyalty is a serious business. So, how exactly do hotels inspire loyalty among patrons?

The brand itself

The single most important marketing consideration that any business faces is the brand itself and, done correctly, this is enough to make for strong loyalty.

By marketing the hotel for the correct audience and selling the lifestyle rather than the hotel itself, businesses are much more likely to receive new customers that they may otherwise fail to have caught. This can be done in a number of different ways, perhaps the most interesting in recent times being

digital and social media marketing

.

Branding is particularly important through the hotel itself too with the decor, feel and staff all linking to the lifestyle that the brand portrays. In the era in which the everyday person chooses to share their life online – everything matters and the good (and bad) will be shared.

Traditional loyalty schemes

A traditional loyalty scheme structure seems to be the preferred way for the Vegas hard-hitters to instill loyalty and create a loyal fanbase.

From offers and discounts on rooms, the chance to bag tickets to events before the rest of the crowds and VIP treatment wherever you go – it does a very good job of keeping customers happy. But this doesn’t tend to come easily and there’s a price to pay before the benefits can be reaped, often in the form of

tier credits

. The more tier credits earned, the better the benefits that can be claimed.

The best we to run through this to give you an idea of what to expect is to have a look through a case study and get to grips with the loyalty offered.

Case study: MGM Resorts – M Life Program

Maybe the

best example of hotel loyalty

schemes comes from the bosses at MGM Resorts and their loyalty program “M Life” consistent across all hotels owned (MGM Grand, Bellagio, Mirage, etc.).

The company uses a five-tier system with each tier offering bigger and better benefits for those staying at any of the MGM resorts.

A certain number of tier credits is required before the next level can be reached which are earned with spending on gaming activities, hotel rooms, dining, entertainment, etc. If you’re spending money at the resort, chances are that

you’re collecting tier points

in doing so.

Sapphire

The first loyalty level that all guests will receive is the Sapphire status – the level received for simply signing up for the rewards scheme.

Members will receive a 10% discount on rooms at valid MGM properties with an additional 5% discount at the participating shops found at the resort. There’s even the chance to earn early access to tickets for events at MGM resorts around the globe.

Pearl

Next up is pearl, the status reached when earning 35,000 tier credits inside a program year.

Alongside the benefits earned from Sapphire, members will find themselves with a 10% points-earning from slot play and an additional six months of expiration time. There’s the chance to be invited to members-only events and the shopping discount is bumped up to 10% at those stores participating.

Gold

Gold follows Pearl and requires members to earn 75,000 tier credits per program year to qualify.

The benefits of Pearl will still stand, but there’s a 20% bonus on slot play and express comps, the availability of priority check-in lines and room upgrades for hotel stays. Gold members will also be able to make priority reservations at restaurants as well as VIP lines in both buffets and select nightclubs.

Platinum

A huge 200,000 tier credits inside a singe program year are required to reach the Platinum level and the benefits that come with it.

Those at the Platinum level are entitled to one free cruise per program year on either Royal Caribbean of Celebrity in either the Bahamas or the Caribbean for 3, 4 or 5 nights depending on gambling history. That’s just the start and Platinum members should also be able to earn 30% on slots and express comps alongside a 15% discount at shops.

Noir

The highest tier available in the M Life Program is Noir, an invitation-only program that’s rumored to only be available for those spending $250,000 or more per year in MGM casinos.

Benefits include a complimentary week-long cruise, a 40% bonus on slots play and express comps, VIP check-in services, private lounge access, guaranteed hotel and restaurant reservations, complimentary limo service from the airport to the hotel and the list goes on…

To cut a long story short

To cut a long story short, there’s a huge number of ways that Vegas hotels

could

inspire loyalty among patrons, but, as our case study points out, it’s the traditional loyalty scheme that proves popular with the Vegas hard-hitters.

By introducing a tier-system, customers have the incentive to try and earn tier points and move up the levels to gain access to improved benefits and amenities. With cruises, slot and express comp bonuses, shop discounts and even limo service all available and working with the brand itself, it’s not difficult to see why the

loyalty schemes are so effective

.

images courtesy of unsplash.com

Photo Pop Philly’s Winter Wonderland Debuts

Special Holiday-Themed Philadelphia Phillies Motion Capture

Experience

PHILADELPHIA, PA (December 2019)

— After major success this past summer,

Photo Pop Philly

is back this holiday season! The first ever holiday installment of the pop-up opened in November and includes more interactive art than ever before. Photo Pop is ready for guests to immerse themselves in the joyful enchantment of Winter Wonderland. Over

15 local Philadelphia artists

, some new and some returning, have presented ideas of what “Winter Wonderland” means to them in the exhibit which includes over 30 installations and murals.

Photo Pop Philly proudly announced its newest partner, the

Phillies

, this past month. Photo Pop\’s Operations and Technology Director, Andrew Stapp, created an amazing motion capture experience for guests to enjoy that incorporates the latest partnership. With this installation, guests can participate in an interactive winter experience that makes you feel like you’re right in front of Citizens Bank Park. \”When I created the motion capture experience, I envisioned guests enjoying the best part of winter; the snow! Merging snowmen and baseball together was a no brainer,\” explained Stapp. Stapp is also the owner of

Xplore VR Studios

, a Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality development studio.

The Phillies Snowmen aren\’t the only new additions popping up for December. In Photo Pop’s newly designed motion capture room, guests can dance as all kinds of holiday characters in various winter settings.

With the addition of this Phillies themed motion capture experience, the winter season is sure to be a home run at Winter Wonderland. As the oldest, continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in American professional sports, Photo Pop is proud to be partnering with a team that has such strong roots in Philadelphia.

Photo Pop Philly is open to the public from now until January 5th. General admission tickets are on sale now at

PhotoPopPhilly.com

. Connect with Photo Pop by visiting their

website

and following along on

Instagram

,

Twitter

, and

Facebook

. For media inquiries, please contact

Molly@PhillyPRGirl.com

.

ABOUT PHOTO POP PHILLY

Photo Pop Philly is an interactive art exhibit that strives to design thought-provoking and wholesome experiences weaving art, pop culture and seasonal celebrations together.  Guests can escape reality, have fun, and express themselves, all while taking one-of-a-kind photos. It’s the first of its kind in Philadelphia. Winter Wonderland is Photo Pop’s third exhibit.

AG Bill Barr Blasts ‘Completely Irresponsible Press,’

Hits FBI For ‘Gross Abuses’ In Trump Probe

CHUCK ROSS

INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER

Attorney General William Barr blasted the “completely irresponsible press” Tuesday as well as the FBI for their respective roles in pushing the debunked theory that the Trump campaign colluded with the Russian government in 2016.

Barr said in

an interview

with NBC News he disagreed with

a Justice Department inspector general’s report

, released Monday, that said the FBI had a legitimate rationale to open an investigation into Trump campaign associates in July 2016.

Barr said he believes the FBI may have acted in “bad faith” in opening the investigation.

“I think there were gross abuses … and inexplicable behavior that is intolerable in the FBI,” Barr told NBC News. “I think that leaves open the possibility that there was bad faith.”

WATCH:

The inspector general’s office said the FBI had a proper predicate for opening the investigation; however, the report also laid out extensive evidence of FBI agents omitting and withholding information regarding the Steele dossier, which the bureau used in applications to conduct surveillance against former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page.

(RELATED: Watchdog Report Puts Final Nail In Steele Dossier’s Coffin)

The report said FBI agents working the case failed to disclose exculpatory information regarding Page and George Papadopoulos, another former Trump aide. FBI agents also withheld information that called the credibility of dossier author Christopher Steele into question.

Barr doubled down in the interview on remarks he made earlier this year that he believes the U.S. government spied on Trump campaign associates.

“It was clearly spied upon,” Barr said of the FBI’s actions towards the Trump campaign. “That’s what electronic surveillance is … going through people’s emails, wiring people up.”

Barr criticized the press on two fronts. He faulted the industry for largely ignoring the parts of the inspector general’s report that undercut the collusion conspiracy theories. He also accused news outlets of overhyping allegations of Trump-Russia collusion.

He lamented that the inspector general’s report has not been “accurately reported by the press over the last day.”

Barr also added: “I think our nation was turned on its head for three years based on a completely bogus narrative that was largely fanned and hyped by a completely irresponsible press.”

The special counsel’s report, which was released on April 18, said there was no evidence that the Trump campaign conspired with Russia or that any Trump associates acted as agents of Russia. The FBI opened its investigation on July 31, 2016 to find out whether anyone on the campaign was working with Russia to hack and release Democrats’ emails.

As part of the probe, the

FBI relied heavily on the unverified Steele dossier

to assert that there was probable cause to suspect that Page was conspiring with Russia to release emails.

Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact

licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org

.

published here with permission

ICE HSI Announces 37,547 Criminal Arrests; Record-High Number

WASHINGTON – During fiscal year 2019 (FY19), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) effectively combated transnational criminal threats against the United States resulting in a record-breaking number of criminal arrests. HSI is the principal investigative component of the Department of Homeland Security with more than 9,800 employees, including over 6,700 special agents and 700 intelligence analysts,

assigned to more than 210 cities throughout the U.S. as well as 78 offices in 52 countries. HSI investigates a multitude of crimes including: financial crimes, bulk cash smuggling, cybercrimes, exploitation of children and child sex tourism, weapons smuggling and export enforcement, trade crimes such as commercial fraud and intellectual property theft, human smuggling and trafficking, narcotics smuggling and trafficking, identity and benefit fraud, human rights violations, transnational gang activity, counterterrorism and visa security.

HSI\’s investigative strategies resulted in a record-high 37,547 criminal arrests, almost a 10 percent increase from FY18, as well as the seizure of more than $775 million in currency and assets from criminal proceeds.

\”HSI uses aggressive investigative strategies to disrupt and dismantle transnational criminal

organizations that engage in cross-border crime,\” said Acting HSI Executive Associate Director Alysa Erichs.  \”HSI special agents worked tirelessly to address threats posed by criminal networks to protect national security and public safety in the United States and around the globe.\”

HSI arrested 5,750 criminals associated with human smuggling investigations in FY19, a 41 percent increase from FY18, due in part to the use of Rapid DNA testing technology to detect fraudulent families at the Southwest border. During FY19, over 400 HSI personnel deployed to the southern border to protect children from being smuggled into the United States through fraudulent family units, often tied to larger transnational criminal syndicates.

In FY19, HSI arrested 2,197 criminals associated with human trafficking, a 38 percent increase from FY18, as well as identified and/or assisted 428 victims of human trafficking in FY19, a 39 percent increase from the previous year. HSI uses a victim-centered approach in its trafficking investigations, where equal value is placed on both the identification and stabilization of victims and prosecution of the traffickers. HSI also developed the Strategic Trafficking Outreach Program (S.T.O.P.) to educate and raise awareness as well as how to report instances of suspected trafficking.

HSI saw a record-breaking year in narcotics enforcement by leveraging partnerships and using a variety of task forces, including its Border Enforcement Security Taskforce (BEST). HSI seized more than 12,450 lbs. of opioids in FY19 – a record-breaking amount – exceeding FY18 seizures by more than 2,500 lbs. HSI also seized more than 3,600 lbs. of fentanyl and made more than 1,900 fentanyl-related arrests in FY19, which are both substantially higher than FY18 figures. HSI also seized more than 145,000 lbs. of methamphetamine in FY19.

Identity and benefit fraud pose a severe threat to national security. HSI leads 36 Document and Benefit Fraud Task Forces (DBFTF) across the country to combat this fraudulent activity. HSI made 2,198 arrests tied to identity and benefit fraud in FY19, a nearly 75 percent increase from FY18.

HSI also continued its fight against child predators and transnational gangs in FY19.  In FY19, HSI arrested 3,957 child predators as well as rescued or identified 1,069 victims.  HSI also made 3,886 criminal gang arrests, including 337 criminal arrests of MS-13 gang members during the same timeframe.

HSI Noteworthy Cases

Financial Crimes

On July 17, 2019, Joaquin Archivaldo Guzman Loera, known by various aliases, including \”El Chapo\” and \”El Rapido,\” was

sentenced

by United States District Judge Brian M. Cogan to life imprisonment plus 30 years to run consecutive to the life sentence for being a principal leader of a continuing criminal enterprise – the Mexican organized crime syndicate known as the Sinaloa Cartel – a charge that included 26 drug-related violations and one murder conspiracy. The Court also ordered Guzman Loera to pay $12.6 billion in forfeiture.

Narcotics Enforcement

In June 2019, HSI Philadelphia and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) hosted a

joint press conference at the U.S. Custom House

in Philadelphia to announce the multi-agency seizure of over 17 tons of cocaine with an estimated street value of about $1.1 billion.

In August 2019, HSI Norfolk and law enforcement partners announced indictments against 39 individuals in a heroin and fentanyl trafficking conspiracy as part of

Operation Cookout

. This HSI-led operation resulted in 35 arrests, as well as the seizure of 24 firearms, 30 kilograms of fentanyl, 30 kilograms of heroin, 5 kilograms of cocaine and more than $700,000 in cash during a three-day takedown.

Counterproliferation Investigations

On June 28, 2019, ICE and HSI leadership announced the results of an

international weapons trafficking operation

that resulted in a total of 25 arrests and 53 search warrants executive in three countries.

Child Exploitation

On October 10, 2019, HSI announced the conviction of a Texas businessman who was convicted in federal court of

sex trafficking of a minor

female and other related changes.

OFFICER DOWN: Houston PD Sgt. Christopher Brewster, Shot and Killed

Sergeant Christopher Brewster

Houston Police Department, Texas

End of Watch

Saturday, December 7, 2019

HOUSTON TEXAS–Sergeant Christopher Brewster, age 32  was shot and killed while responding to a domestic assault at about 6:00 pm.

A woman had called 911 and reported that she had been assaulted by her boyfriend and that he was armed with two firearms. When officers arrived at the scene both subjects had already left. Sergeant Brewster was checking the area when he saw the couple walking in the 7400 block of Avenue L.

Sergeant Brewster attempted to contact them but was fired upon as he exited his patrol car. Despite being struck in the chest above his vest, he was able to give dispatchers and other officers a description of his wounds and a direction of travel.

The man was arrested moments later by other officers.

Sergeant Brewster was transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.

Sergeant Brewster had served with the Houston Police Department for nine years.

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published Gloucestercitynews.net | Dec. 9, 2019

Republicans in Burlington County Back Congressional Slate

Mount Laurel, NJ – Following a thorough vetting process, the Burlington County Republican Screening Committee recommended an outstanding slate of 2020 congressional candidates Saturday morning, which the full county committee voted unanimously to endorse.

To begin the work now to unseat the incumbent Democrats pushing their radical agenda in Washington, D.C., the committee backed:

Claire Gustafson

in the First Congressional District

David Richter

in the Second Congressional District

Kate Gibbs

in the Third Congressional District

“The Burlington County Republican Committee has a long history of successfully recruiting and supporting diverse and dynamic candidates for elected office,” said Chairman Sean Earlen. “We’re proud to continue that tradition with Claire Gustafson, David Richter, and Kate Gibbs, who are ready to bring the values and priorities of South Jersey to Washington, and fight back against the do-nothing Democrats in Congress.”

Speaking specifically about the Third District, which covers 90% of the county, Earlen said that Kate Gibbs is the exact right candidate for what will be one of the most competitive races in the country.

“Andy Kim went to Washington promising to vote against Nancy Pelosi, and then broke that promise with his first vote.  Now he’s toeing the party line again with this baseless impeachment stunt instead of doing the bipartisan work he was elected to do,” said Earlen.  “He’s a failure and needs to go.”

“By nominating a millennial woman with a proven record of results like Kate Gibbs, we can start bringing civility and sanity back to our nation’s capital,” continued Earlen.  “As a South Jersey native, Kate is no DC insider. From being raised by a single mother and putting herself through college to cutting taxes every year she was in office and creating job opportunities for working families, Kate’s powerful story and broad-based appeal make her the only candidate running who can defeat Andy Kim in 2020.”

Finding of Probable Cause in Case of Alleged Housing Discrimination

Finding of Probable Cause

TRENTON –

Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal and the Division on Civil Rights (DCR) announced today that the Division has issued a Finding of Probable Cause against a Morris County duplex owner for engaging in unlawful discrimination by refusing to accept a Black man’s rental application based on his race and by seeking to bar children from occupying the rental unit.

Adrienne Brown, the landlord, is accused of rejecting the rental application of prospective tenant Timothy Jenkins in December 2016 following a six-day series of email exchanges involving Brown, Brown’s real estate agent and would-be tenant Jenkins.

The emails involved negotiations over Jenkins’ prospective rental of a Morristown property owned by Brown. One of the sticking points was Jenkins’ refusal to sign a lease addendum which, among other terms, barred children from occupying the rental unit. Brown’s own agent told Brown she would not sign the addendum, which would violate New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination (LAD) by seeking to bar children.

As the email discussions wore on, a DCR investigation showed, Brown made unsolicited references to the fact Jenkins is Black in three separate emails to her agent. In one of those emails, she appeared to blame the agent for the protracted nature of the talks. Specifically, Brown suggested that, because Jenkins is Black, the agent “may have been reluctant” to strike a strong negotiating posture with him “and thus we have both been exposed to an unwarranted delay and a good deal of back and forthing.”

Brown ultimately rented the property to two white applicants. She refused to be interviewed by DCR about the case.

”There’s no place for housing discrimination in New Jersey, based on race or on any other protected characteristic,” said Attorney General Grewal. “We are committed to rooting it out, whether that means educating first-time landlords on compliance with our anti-discrimination laws, taking on implicit bias, or eradicating redlining.”

“Race discrimination in housing, whether explicit or implicit, is illegal in New Jersey,” said Division on Civil Rights Director Rachel Wainer Apter. “A prospective tenant’s race is simply not relevant to a rental inquiry. It is also illegal to refuse to rent to a family with children, or to attempt to get a prospective tenant to sign an agreement that bars families with children. Landlords and real estate agents who would like further information on fair housing laws in New Jersey should contact our office.”

Issued in September of this year, the FPC against Brown notes Brown’s “decision to mention Complainant’s race in three separate emails to her agent, when race was in no way relevant to the transaction or mentioned by the agent, along with her decision to deny his application and rent to two white tenants instead, at least suggests that race could have been a motivating factor” in her decision.

In addition, the FPC explains, Brown’s insistence on Jenkins signing a lease addendum barring children – referenced in multiple emails with her agent – represented a separate apparent violation of the LAD.

Brown also indicated in her emails that Jenkins’ refusal to sign the lease addendum excluding children was weighing against him in her consideration of his rental application. In a December 16, 2017 email to her agent, for example, Brown stated, “If he won’t sign the Addendum, as you mention today, it definitely is over.”

The FPC notes that, under the LAD, Brown’s holding against Jenkins his refusal to sign a lease addendum that was illegal because it sought to bar children was itself a violation of the law.

A Finding of Probable Cause does not resolve a civil rights complaint. Rather, it means the State has concluded its preliminary investigation and determined there is sufficient evidence to support a reasonable suspicion the LAD has been violated.

Task Force Investigates Fatal Police-Involved Shooting In Secaucus

SECAUCUS, N.J.

–The Attorney General’s Shooting Response Task Force is conducting an investigation of an officer-involved shooting that occurred on Sunday evening, Dec. 1, 2019, in Secaucus, N.J. A male civilian, who was armed with a handgun, died during the incident.

The decedent has been identified as Anthony Rosso, 68, who previously resided in Secaucus, N.J.

Officers of the Secaucus Police Department responded to a residence in the 300 block of Sea Isle Key in the Harmon Cove development after a 911 call was received at approximately 5:41 p.m. reporting a domestic incident with a shot fired. Upon arrival, they encountered Rosso, who was outside the residence and was armed with a handgun. During the incident, Rosso fired his gun and multiple police officers fired their weapons.  Rosso was fatally wounded. The origin of the fatal shot is under investigation. Emergency medical personnel responded, and Rosso was pronounced dead at the scene at 7:14 p.m. No one else was injured. Members of the Hudson County Regional SWAT Team also responded, arriving at the scene after the officer-involved gunfire.

The investigation by the Shooting Response Task Force, which is part of the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability, is ongoing and no further information is being released at this time.

This investigation is being conducted pursuant to a law enacted in January 2019, Senate Bill 1036, which requires that the Attorney General’s Office conduct investigations of a person’s death that occurs during an encounter with a law enforcement officer acting in the officer’s official capacity or while the decedent is in custody.