The Coaster
Friday, January 27, 2023
No Result
View All Result
  • Browse News by Town
    • Allenhurst
    • Asbury Park
    • Avon
    • Bradley Beach
    • Deal
    • Interlaken
    • Loch Arbour
    • Long Branch
    • Neptune
    • Neptune City
    • Ocean Grove
    • Ocean Township
    • Tinton Falls
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
Subscribe / Renew
  • Browse News by Town
    • Allenhurst
    • Asbury Park
    • Avon
    • Bradley Beach
    • Deal
    • Interlaken
    • Loch Arbour
    • Long Branch
    • Neptune
    • Neptune City
    • Ocean Grove
    • Ocean Township
    • Tinton Falls
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
The Coaster
No Result
View All Result
Home Neptune

In Neptune: Questions Raised About Arrest

by The Coaster Editorial Staff
November 4, 2016
in Neptune
5
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare via EmailShare on Twitter

 

coaster-news-200-newBy DON STINE

On Aug. 17 a 21-year-old woman was arrested by Neptune police for possession of drug paraphernalia. A few hours later she was found dead in her jail cell leaving many questions unanswered.
Supporters of Help Not Handcuffs showed up at this week’s Neptune Township Committee meeting demanding police accountability for the tragic incident, a full investigation, and an end to drug criminalization.
“This needs to be a priority. This woman’s young son is now orphaned and there are things you could do,” said Randy Thompson, the organization’s founder.
Help Not Handcuffs seeks to engage government on all levels to promote fact-based drug policies and remove arrest and coercion from the treatment of people with substance use disorders.
Katie Lee Thomas, of Efland, North Carolina and was visiting friends in New Jersey, was arrested on Aug. 17 for possession of drug paraphernalia and a disorderly person offense. She was taken to the Neptune police department and found unresponsive and not breathing in her jail cell a few hours later
Authorities performed CPR on Thomas before she was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. She is the mother of a three-year-old son.
“Katie Lee was alive and well before failed drug criminalization policies forced her arrest for drug paraphernalia. Due to a complete lack of police oversight and accountability, there is no information about why this young mother is dead and there is no discussion about ridding the violent drug prohibition polices which killed her and ruin thousands of lives each year in New Jersey,” Thompson said in a prepared statement.
The incident is currently under investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.
“Ms. Thomas’ loss is no less tragic today than it was in August when it occurred,” said Mayor Kevin McMillan in a prepared statement read at the meeting. “Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with her family. While there is no reason to believe any wrongdoing occurred in the apprehension or confinement of Ms. Thomas, an appropriate investigation is underway by both our Internal Affairs Office and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s office.
“We believe that as with all investigations, this one should be conducted thoroughly, not quickly. Until this investigation is compete neither the Neptune Township Police Department nor the Township Committee will comment further.”
Thomas was arrested about 10 a.m. and was being held in a holding cell at the Neptune Police Department for transport to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution in Freehold Township when she was found unresponsive and not breathing. CPR was conducted in the cell block and Thomas was subsequently transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center where she was pronounced at dead at 3:25 p.m.,” Prosecutor’s Office spokesman Charles Webster said in a prepared statement.
Thompson and others at Monday’s meeting said that officials have yet to release any other details about Thomas’ death or the specifics of her arrest, or if any force was used on Thomas prior to her death.
“You people have not been interested- not interested for months so people are starting to do things,” said resident Dorothy Argyros, a longtime community activist. “You are passively sitting by waiting for something to happen to rectify the situation. We are trying to lead and you are not following. Show some interest in Karen Lee Thomas.”
Help Not Handcuffs is calling for drug use/possession to be immediately decriminalized and that there needs to be more police oversight and accountability, particularly through the creation of civilian police review boards. It also calls for independent prosecutors to investigate police brutality and police sexual assault.

Related Posts

Ocean Grove Group Hosting Winter Social

Law Enforcement Seeks Public’s Help Following Fatal Crash in Neptune

January 26, 2023
Festive New Year in Neptune

Festive New Year in Neptune

January 25, 2023
neptune police car

Neptune Settles Lawsuit for $500,000 With Former Police Chief

January 25, 2023
neptune police car

Law Enforcement Seeks Community Help in 2019 Barbershop Murder

January 16, 2023
Neptune Class of ‘72 to Celebrate

Neptune Students Urged to Submit Works for Black History Program

January 10, 2023
neptune police car

Neptune Homicide Under Investigation

January 9, 2023

Trending This Week

Ocean Grove Ladies Auxiliary Raised $58,000 for Projects

Pilot Parking Program is Topic Of Special Meeting in Ocean Grove

January 25, 2023
Developer ‘Cares Deeply About Boardwalk’ As Iconic Asbury Park Buildings Deteriorate

Developer ‘Cares Deeply About Boardwalk’ As Iconic Asbury Park Buildings Deteriorate

January 25, 2023
Stabbing Incident at Asbury Park High School

Red Bank Man Charged With Numerous ‘Upskirting’ Offenses

January 24, 2023
Disussions Continue to Preserve Asbury Park Historic Sites

Disussions Continue to Preserve Asbury Park Historic Sites

January 25, 2023

Advertise Online with The Coaster

Advertise on The Coaster to reach countless new customers for your local business.

START ADVERTISING TODAY

E-mail Newsletter

Sign up to get a free weekly newsletter to your inbox.

Subscribe

Contact Us

The Coaster
1011 Main St
Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Phone: 732-775-3010
FAX: 732-775-8345
editor@thecoaster.net

Email Newsletter »

All Articles

Search Our Site

No Result
View All Result

© 2023 The New Coaster, LLC. All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Browse News by Town
    • Allenhurst
    • Asbury Park
    • Avon
    • Bradley Beach
    • Deal
    • Interlaken
    • Loch Arbour
    • Long Branch
    • Neptune
    • Neptune City
    • Ocean Grove
    • Ocean Township
    • Tinton Falls
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
Subscribe / Renew

© 2023 The New Coaster, LLC. All rights reserved.