In response to criticism about the letter from the TRPD, Toms River Mayor, Mayor Thomas F. Kelaher released the following statement today.
On behalf of the Administration and Governing Body, I issue this statement to address the negative reaction to the September 14, 2017, announcement issued by the Toms River Police Department. The announcement relayed information concerning Township policies and procedures pertinent to celebrants of an upcoming religious holiday.
Although well-intentioned, the announcement, as worded and publicized, raised concerns that public resources were being used to provide special treatment or a special service not generally available.
That is categorically not the case. The Township has always and will steadfastly continue to provide its services and enforce its ordinances on an equal basis. The policies and procedures referenced in the announcement are applicable and available to all Township residents uniformly, without regard to color, creed, or heritage. That is our country’s way, and that is Toms River’s way.
To the extent the announcement conveyed the opposite impression, that was unequivocally not how it was intended, and certainly not how the Police Department wanted it received. Unfortunately, the announcement was released without the approval or input of the Mayor’s Office or the Township Council. More scrutiny of such announcements is in order. Going forward, I have directed that any future announcements from any department be pre-approved by the Business Administrator and Division of Law to avoid another misunderstanding.
We express regret that any Township resident felt excluded or offended by this announcement and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to keep Toms River a strong, vibrant, and inclusive community.
Is Lakewood Mayor Ray Coles gonna release a statement now appoligizing for Chief G. Meyer’s friendly Holiday greeting to the Lakewood Orthodox community?
To my fellow Toms River residents. I grew up in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. My dad tought me years ago to be friendly to our Jewish neighbor. It turns out when my dad had a heart attack 18 years ago my Jewish neighbor saved his life. The Jewish people are our friends. Stop the hate.
PLEASE HELP ME UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS IS ABOUT. TOMS RIVER PD NOTIFIED PEOPEL WHO WILL BUILDING SUKKAS OF THE TOWNSHIP ORDINANCE AND OF THE ABILITY TO NOTIFY THE POLICE TO CHECK ON HOMES SHOULD ONE BE GOING AWAY FOR A PROLONGED TIME. WHO FELT EXCLUDED. IT WAS A WELCOME LETTER TO THE JEWISH COMMUNITY OF TOMS RIVER THAT WE WERE WELCOMED. IS THIS A RETRACTION FROM THE MAYORS OFFICE DUE TO PRESSURE FROM HIS CONSTITUENTS.? THE MAYOR I THOUGHT WAS A SMART MAN AND SEES THAT THE ORTHODOX JEWISH COMMUNITY IN TOMS RIVER IS GROWING RAPIDLY AND WE HAVE A BLOCK OF VOTERS THAT WILL VOTE AND PRACTICE OUR RIGHTS TO HAVE REPRESENTATION IN GOVERMENT AND THE RIGHT TO PRACTICE OUR RELIGION OPENLY AND WITHOUT FEAR OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT BODIES OR HOOD-LUMS…
I would tell the Mayor that having the Business Administrator and the Division of Law review any future statements will not reduce any misunderstanding.
THESE HATERS WANT TO MISUNDERSTAND.