By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI
Tinton Falls hired two new police officers and promoted 10 within its ranks at this week’s reorganization meeting.
Gary Baldwin was elected council president for the sixth year in a row and Councilman Christopher Pak was sworn in as deputy council president.
The two new officers, Joseph Mauro and Jared Flynn, where sworn in by Chief John Scrivanic who said the two officers were chosen from among 150 applicants.
Promoted to captain were David Scrivanic and Gerald Turning, Jr.
Three members of the police force promoted to Lieutenant were Dean Duane, Kyle Pierson and Scott Trocchia.
The five officers promoted to sergeant were Joseph Lopresti, Blake Rutherford, John Tallarico, Keith Terbecki and Anthony Turso.
Also at the meeting 11th grade Monmouth Regional High School student Christian Boujaoude read a proclamation signed by Mayor Gerald M. Turning into the record regarding human trafficking and asking council to declare January 11 as Human Trafficking Awareness Day.
Christian cited the fact that “New Jersey is a prime location for human trafficking because it is a major national and international transportation corridor and culturally diverse state.”
Christian also detailed the horrors of human trafficking in his proclamation including victims’ inability to speak English, making it difficult for them to seek hep. He also said that about 80 percent of the victims are women and girls, with 50 percent younger than 18 years of age.
In other business Councilman Pak said in his report that the Board of Education is pursuing the installation of full day kindergarten in the district.
Councilwoman Nancyanne Fama proposed that council draw up a resolution giving “unequivocal” support to the borough’s police officers, citing the recent shootings of police in New York City.
“I have been dismayed in our public leadership…by the lack of support for law enforcement. I have been embarrassed by the lack of support of police and military,” she said.
Fama said if Tinton Falls passes the resolution she hopes it will then be introduced statewide.
President Baldwin agreed and said it would be put on the agenda for the next meeting.
“I think it’s a great idea,” he said.
“If we can’t support law enforcement, we will go the way of other countries,” Fama said.
Mayor Turning said, “In Tinton Falls the police officers know you support them.”
President Baldwin also announced that the application for a new Motocross Track on Shafto Road will be heard at the next Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting January 15 at 7:30 p.m. Due to the expectation of large crowds the meeting is being held in the auditorium at Seabrook Village.
