Residents of a New Jersey town are demanding that police issue more tickets

🚨 Residents of a New Jersey town are demanding that police issue more tickets

🚨 Police chief responds to community petition

🚨 Increased enforcement promised in Stafford Township

Stafford Township’s police chief promises his officers will enforce traffic laws more strictly in the future after residents called on police to make the streets safer.

Police Chief James Haldenwang says in an open letter on the Stafford Township Police Department’s Facebook page that he has received numerous complaints from residents and was recently given a petition with 250 signatures calling for “increased enforcement of speed limits in our neighborhoods.”

Haldenwang says he is “compelled to address the ongoing concerns about traffic safety in our community, particularly in our residential areas.”

Police in Stafford Township have already begun cracking down on speeding and reckless driving in certain neighborhoods designated by residents.

“I have witnessed first-hand the tragic consequences of accidents and the grief that follows. These experiences strengthen my commitment to the safety of our roads,” Haldenwang said in his letter.

No money making

While Chief Haldenwang promised that the community would work together to address the problem of speeding and reckless driving, he stressed that this was not an excuse for making money.

“I would like to stress that it is not our goal to catch drivers by surprise or issue fines,” said Haldenwang.

He also stressed that it is illegal to force police officers to issue traffic tickets.

In 2021, Governor Phil Murphy signed a bill (S-1322) that made ticket quotas illegal and prohibited cities from considering the number of tickets issued by an officer in performance evaluations and promotion decisions.

“I can’t force officers to issue tickets,” Haldenwang said, but officers “will keep a close eye on streets where residents have raised specific concerns.”

At the same time, Haldenwang warned: “Anyone caught speeding must expect a fine.”

Support from the community

In addition to the public’s petition calling on officers to issue more tickets, there is also strong support for increased controls on social media.

Matt Curtis wrote on Facebook: “Excellent answer, boss!!! Your community thanks you!”

Kelly Hilken said she has already noticed a change. “I’ve definitely seen a lot more police officers stopping people on Lighthouse Street, and I’m excited.”

Many residents added specific streets and city areas where they would like to see more patrols.

Others, like Laura Mayland-Rossi, however, thought it was excessive: “Three police cars on Jennings (Road) agree in terms of safety, but this is a bit ridiculous.”

Haldenwang did not provide any information on how long the increased enforcement measures would last.

“Your safety is our top priority and we will continue to work diligently to uphold the law for the benefit of our community. Thank you for your attention to this important matter. Together we can make Stafford Township safer for everyone,” the police chief said.

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