Uncooperative Victims Hinder Crime-Fighting in Asbury Park
By ANDREW CANGIANO
Despite a number of victims who refuse to cooperate with police, Asbury Park Police Chief Mark Kinmon said the department is moving in the right direction to alleviate the violence.
We feel like we have a pretty good grip on whats going on concerning the shootings, he said last week. Were going to continue to work hard to eliminate gun violence in Asbury Park and improve the quality of life for everyone.
Deputy Mayor James Bruno said the police are investigating the cause of the recent shootings, but are having a difficult time because some residents have opted to take justice into their own hands, rather than cooperating with the police.
Its hard to go on shootings when there are no leads, he said.
We need more cooperation, he added.
Bruno said he knows the police are doing what they can to curtail gun violence in the city, as he said the department is trying to get a hold on this, the Deputy Mayor said.
Kinmon said the department is preparing to add more officers to the force in the near future. There are nine officers training in the police academy and four additional special officers.
The planned hirings will put the number of officers on the force to 89 full-time members and 11 special officers.
Were preparing for the growing demands that are being placed on the police department, Kinmon said.
Along with the new officers, the department will also be receiving four new patrol vehicles which were purchased by the citys Urban Enterprise Zone.
The vehicles should be in operation by the end of the summer, the Deputy Chief said.
Were very greatful to the UEZ for funding this project for us, Kinmon said, adding that patrol vehicles are always in demand.
We feel very positive about the future of the city and the police department, he said.
The following is information regarding several of the shootings that have occurred in the city in recent weeks. Anyone with information regarding these incidents should call the police departments anonymous tip line at 1-800-799-8280 or the main line at 732-774-1300.
A car was shot with several bullets, but the person inside was not injured, during an incident that occurred on the 1100 block of Atlantic Avenue on April 14, Lt. David Kelso said.
The vehicle was hit with several bullets during the shooting which occurred shortly before 9:30 p.m, he said.
The victim, Yves Desroches, a 20-year-old Asbury Park resident, was sitting in his vehicle when he saw two black men approaching the vehicle who were dressed in all black and wearing ski masks that covered their faces.
Desroaches attempted to back out of his parking space, but was approached by the men.
One of the men pulled out a gun and fired a shot into the air, the victim reported to police.
The victim then lay down on the front seat, after which he heard approximately six shots fired. Several of the shots struck the vehicle in the lower rear passenger door and the hubcap of one of the wheels, police said.
Anyone with information regarding the incident should call Det. Eugene Dello at 732-502-5770 or the polices anonymous tip line.
Asbury Park police are also investigating the shooting of a 21-year-old city resident on the morning of Easter Sunday at the Oceanic Inn at 201 Sixth Ave.
Christopher Etienne was shot once in the left thigh and called the police shortly before 1:30 a.m. When police arrived Etienne was found on the floor of a room on the buildings second story.
He was treated for his wounds at Jersey Shore University Medical Center and was later released, police said.
So far Etienne has been uncooperative with the polices investigation into the incident, Lt. Kelso said.
Kelso said police believe the shooting occurred on the second floor walkway of the building.
Police recovered eight empty shellcasings on the second floors exterior walkway.
A handgun was found in the northwest corner of the Oceanic Inns parking lot, police said.
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