New Jersey police are under fire for their response to a fistfight after a Black eighth grader was pinned to the ground and handcuffed while a white teen involved in the weekend mall scuffle was left seated on a couch. Phil Murphy said. 1:16. Terms of Use Bridgewater Township Municipal Building 100 Commons Way, Bridgewater, NJ 08807 (908) 725-6300 Monday- Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM Z'Kye's family has retained civil rights attorney Ben Crump, the law firm announced Thursday. | Mitzak has been BRIDGEWATER, NJ - The second week of October will mark Fire Prevention Week in Bridgewater Township, from Oct. 9 through Oct. 15. Ina CBS New York report, the 14-year-old Black teen, identified as Kye, and his mother, Ebone, who asked that their last names not be used, called for the officers to be fired. Bridgewater school district officials are warning parents of a fake email account claiming to be a Bridgewater-Raritan Regional official. Violation of the Department Mission Statement. The video also shows township police officers kneeling on and. Internal Affairs. "The rules governing the use of force by police officers in New Jersey are codified by the Office of the Attorney General," Moench's letter said. Violation of the Employee Handbook concerning alcohol-free workplace. 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. Phil Murphy expressed his concern. Franchise TAP. New Jersey police department calls for investigation after viral video. BRIDGEWATER A 38-year-old Morristown man was killed early Thursday morning while walking on Interstate 287, State Police said. This is another example of the kind of racial bias that we need to root out of our system of policing. Korrie Keats, 38, of Plainfield, was arrested Oct. 12 at about 1:15 p.m. for shoplifting after being found with merchandise from Wegmans, on Route 202. An Adamsville Road resident reported Feb. 6 that someone stole a motor vehicle from the driveway of his residence. The state is awarding about $16.2 million in grants. In a letter to residents,Mayor Moench said it's not appropriate to comment on the details of the incidentwhile an investigation is ongoing. 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. We strive to enhance the quality of life for all members of the community. To get unlimited access to her work,please subscribe or activate your digitalaccount today. I am completely confident that the Prosecutors review will be impartial, objective and thorough, Moench said. The white teen is put on a nearby couch while the male officer tackles the Black teen to the ground, straddles his back and crosses his hands to handcuff him while the female officer appears to have her knee on his back. 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. 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. All results are expected to be certified Feb. 23. The officer lied about an illness and failed to report for duty, causing overtime for the department," read the report. The Department covers over thirty-four square miles of land, 3,600 acres of public and private parks, and major highways such as US 202, US 202/206, US 22, NJ 28, and Interstate 287. "This rumor started last week, and it has spiraled in reference to a student bringing a BRIDGEWATER, NJ - Bridgewater Police released a message warning residents to keep their valuables close after investigating a number of thefts of purses and wallets that have been left unattended. In district 1, which is the Martinsville Volunteer Fire Company, the total operating budget is set at $616,197.38, with the amount to be raised by taxation set at BRIDGEWATER, NJ - Mayor Matthew Moench responded Friday to a statement from the attorney generals office regarding the investigation into the February 2022 incident at the Bridgewater Commons Mall, saying the fault for the delay in the report lies with Trenton, not Bridgewater. | Authorities are searching several states for the veteran, who may be in severe emotional distress and in need of medical help. New Jersey Attorney General's Office investigation into Bridgewater Police's handling of a teen mall fight in February 2022 is complete. These officers need to be reprimanded and retrained to overcome the implicit bias that results in unequal and often dangerous treatment of Black people.. Murphy's 2024 budget. Please feel free to stop in to our Headquarters or send us and e-mail with any comments, concerns, and suggestions. By: News 12 Staff A viral video of two Bridgewater police officers responding to a fight between two teens at the Bridgewater Commons Mall has angered and disturbed many people. A driver involved in a Friday morning crash with a utility pole on Route 202 in Branchburg was hospitalized, officials said. My grandparents were from Bound Brook, and I used to go through Bridgewater to go see them, he said. Get involved by signing 7,678 people like this 8,626 people follow this http://patch.com/new-jersey/bridgewater alexis.tarrazi@patch.com ", Public safety: Tasers, hailed as a way to avoid deadly police shootings, are seldom used in NJ, Watchdog: NJ AG reveals names of cops who have been suspended, demoted, terminated. According to the report, at 3 p.m. Nov. 6, two suspects attempted to shoplift power BRIDGEWATER, NJ - Bridgewater Township Police released its police blotter for the week of April 26, with incidents from the end of March through mid-April. BRIDGEWATER - A 38-year-old Morristown man was killed early Thursday morning while walking on Interstate 287, State Police said. The dog is said to be worth $5,000, said North Plainfield Police Lt. William Speck. Twitter. The video shows two male teens, one Black and the other white, having an argument before pointing fingers at each other. That video says it all," he said. A Bridgewater Officer was also named to this list. Contact Us 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. Carrier Clinic, Taxes in Retirement Seminar on March 7th and 9th at Raritan Valley Community College. 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. Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com. 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. Carrier Clinic, Taxes in Retirement Seminar on March 7th and 9th at Raritan Valley Community College. . "ZKye, an 8th grader, was noble to defend his friend from bullies; however, it is evident that officers immediately assumed that because of the color of ZKyes skin, him acting nobly was not even in the realm of possibility. "The time for the governor and attorney general to put a stop to this type of behavior by the police is now," Smith said in a news release. "It's cause he's Black, racially motivated," a female voice is heard saying in the video. BRIDGEWATER, NJ - Bridgewater Township Police have released a police blotter from the middle of October through the end of November. | The nearly 9 percent increase in funding is part of the Gov. 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. Ebon said: Its not fair that we are constantly having to fear the cops. "Same offense, suspension until ultimate resignation. Copyright 2023 TAP IP LLC, All rights reserved. NJ mall::Black teen restrained by police in Bridgewater fight hires George Floyd's family lawyer. | Route 22 East was closed for about an hour on Monday morning as a result, said Bridgewater Police. A video showing police officers breaking up a fight between a Black teenager and a White teenager at a New Jersey mall has prompted outrage over the police response. A victim reported Sept. 15 that their vehicle had been burglarized while it was parked in the lot of Seasons 52, on Commons Way. 2023 www.mycentraljersey.com. The campaign raises awareness about the dangers of impaired driving through a combo of high-visibility enforcement and public education. Bridgewater Police also reported making arrests for driving while intoxicated and shoplifting in the latest blotter. https://t.co/ck9yCXMmL0. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. News about Central Jersey and New Jersey for the Courier News community. February 16, 2022 at 11:12 a.m. EST Authorities are investigating how police in Bridgewater Township, N.J., responded to a weekend mall fight. Phone: (908) 722-4111 Fax: (908) 722-8246. In a post on the department's Facebook page, the fire company is reporting BRIDGEWATER, NJ - A Sherlin Drive resident reported that their vehicle had been stolen from their driveway at about 2:15 p.m. Thursday, according to Bridgewater Police. Reporting for duty under the influence of alcohol. The video cuts off at this point. Meanwhile, ZKye, already on the ground, was pinned onto his stomach by a male officer, with the officers knee appearing to be on his back. The first list was released in August 2021 and covered the second half of 2020. The teen and his mother could not be reached for comment Wednesday. BRIDGEWATER The township has found itself in thecenter ofthenational controversy over police use of force after a video showing twoofficers breaking up a fight between two teens, one Black and one white, at Bridgewater Commons over the weekend went viral. You had to load up the car Come and see 15 Morningside Road in Verona; open house 3/4 1-3pm and 3/5 1-4pm. Phil Murphy's school aid plan for the 2023-24 school year. 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. To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com. One officer pushed the white teen into a seated position on the couch . According to Deputy Township Administrator Wells Winegar, the program addresses various community policing issues, BRIDGEWATER, NJ - The fire district elections are in February to vote on commissioners and budgets in each of the four districts. "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. The Department covers over thirty-four square miles of land, 3,600 acres of public and private parks, and major highways such as US 202, US 202/206, US 22, NJ 28, and. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. New Jersey law enforcement is now banned from using chokeholds "except in the very limited situations when deadly force is necessary to address an imminent threat to life.". Richard T. Smith, president of the NAACP New Jersey State Conference, called for the immediate removalof the officers pending an investigation. "Major discipline" is defined as police officers who were terminated, demoted, or suspended for more than five days. The suit claimed Raritan cops shouldn't have released Ronald B. Rebernik after arresting him for heroin hours before the deadly 2018 crash. Both ZKye and the other teen involved have been banned from the mall for three years, Bridgewater Commonssaid to NBC News in a statement. According to police, the victim had been unloading items from the vehicle when an unknown person entered the car and fled the BRIDGEWATER, NJ - The Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District has released a statement that, as of Thursday, all computer systems have been fully restored after being disrupted since Monday. As police arrive a female and male officer grabthe white teen off the Black teen. South Bound Brook childrens book author Apara Mahal Sylvester's new book, Mousies Way Home, focuses on the plight of feral cats. After several seconds of punching, two uniformed Bridgewater police officers ran onto the scene and pulled the two apart. pic.twitter.com/ThJPQFNEzO. BRIDGEWATER, NJ - Bridgewater Township is one of many receiving a grant from the state for 2020 recycling efforts, according to a release. Zachary Menendez was among 38 new firefighters to graduate from the Somerset County Fire Academy. Violation of the Department Code of Ethics. He was kind of saying, like, Youre a little kid, youre my little pet, and stuff like that, he told NBC New York. She said the officers' responses weren't "fair.". As the Black teen is being handcuffed on the ground, the white teen is seen standing up looking at the officers before the female officersits him back on the couch as the Black teen is lifted off the ground by the male officer. The Department covers over thirty-four square miles of land, 3,600 acres of public and private parks, and major highways such as US 202, US 202/206, US 22, NJ 28, and Interstate 287. Bridgewater Police Department100 Commons Way Bridgewater, NJ 08807. Somerset County Sheriffs Office - Corrections Division. The Bridgewater Police Department said in a statement on Monday that it is aware the community is "upset," and requested that the Somerset County Prosecutor's office assist in an investigation . Video shows officers handcuffed and restrained a. 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. I always saw a Bridgewater BRIDGEWATER, NJ - A group of local parents have asked the Bridgewater Township Council for assistance regarding what they say is a dangerous pedestrian intersection located near the BridgewaterRaritan High School. The directive came after the New Jersey Supreme Court authorized the public release of such info on a going-forward basis. The bicycle had been left in a bicycle rack, but was not BRIDGEWATER, NJ - The Bridgewater Township Police Department released its police blotter for the past few months. BRIDGEWATER, NJ - Bridgewater Township is one of many receiving a grant from the state for 2020 recycling efforts, according to a release. 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