BRICK TOWNSHIP, NJ – If you read the postcards in your mailbox, you might be thinking Brick Township, once named one of the safest communities in America is the new Newark or Camden.
Several highly publicized crimes in the past two weeks have led Republicans to shift their message from saving whales and shouting “Make Brick Great Again” to a local issue, crime.
The mailers are blaming the Brick Democrats for the ‘rise in crime’, but is Brick really going downhill? Republican candidate for mayor, John Catalano says yes. The township isn’t safe anymore and he says his message isn’t just an election time fear-peddling tactic.
According to Neighborhood Scout, “Brick has an overall crime rate of 9 per 1,000 residents, making the crime rate here near the average for all cities and towns of all sizes in America. According to our analysis of FBI crime data, your chance of becoming a victim of crime in Brick is 1 in 109.”
With .72 violent crimes per 1,000 people in Brick, the township is well below the New Jersey state average of 1.68.
Mayor Lisa Crate said she has been in contact with the Chief of Police over the incidents reported this week.
“Chief Forrester and I met to ensure that the Brick Township Police Departments has everything they need – whether it be manpower, equipment, or support – to do what they do best, which is keeping people safe, investigating crimes and arresting people who break the law. I think it’s important to understand that what’s happening here is not isolated to Brick Township – the Chief is working diligently with law enforcement partners across the spectrum to ensure safety in our town,” she said.
According to police, “On September 20th at approximately 12 pm, police responded to Old Toms River Rd. for a residential burglary. The homeowner reported observing someone breaking into his home on his surveillance system. As officers were responding to the scene, an off-duty police officer reported finding a handgun on a nearby street. It was later determined the found handgun was stolen from the home and later discarded by the suspect.”
A second incident reported, “On September 20th at 6:26 p.m., Brick Police received a call from a resident who observed a Black Honda drive past them with the driver and passenger both wearing ski masks. Due to the recent spike in burglaries, the resident thought it was suspicious and reported it to police. Moments later, this vehicle was observed traveling on Mantoloking Rd. by Ptl. McGrath. Ptl. McGrath, Ptl. Marmer and Ptl. Wehrlen conducted a high-risk motor vehicle stop in the area of Chambers Bridge Rd. near Kohl’s Plaza. Ptl. McGrath observed the passenger of the vehicle reaching down toward the floor board of the vehicle. Both occupants were ordered out of the vehicle and detained by officers.”
Republicans are hoping the rise in crime pushes their candidates into the winners’ circle in November.
“Our beloved township, once a beacon of safety and community now finds itself amidst a troubling wave of crime,” he said. “The stories are alarming.”
Catalano blamed President Joe Biden and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy for the rise in crime in the state.
“We’re not spreading fear,” Catalano said.