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Chief William Cicchetti, President Sgt. Richard Maxwell 1st Vice-President (Ret.) Chief Tony Parenti, Editor MEETING NOTICES: Next Regular Business Meeting: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2008, beginning at 10:00 AM, at the Somerville Elks Club, Route 28 (Union Avenue) Bridgewater, NJ. Jason Gooberman will give a presentation on the DWI Interlock law in NJ and demonstrate the Interlock System. The speaker for the May 7th meeting is the program manager at the transportation Safety Research Center/Rutgers. She will explain the comprehensive Plan 4 Safety crash analysis software that provides a web based tool to determine areas that may need an increase in enforcement or some other engineering or educational response in order to reduce crashes. Board Of Directors: The next Board meeting is at the call of the President.  PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE: I had the honor and privilege to present Life Membership cards to three of our members who are retiring from police work. Lt. Mark Wilson, Voorhees Township, served as a vice president in our association. Fortunately we are not losing Mark, he is staying on as our Operations Secretary. Sgt. Scott Wishart, NJ State Police, served as State Police Region Representative and was very active with the Association as well as in his duties with NJSP. Sergeant Phil McEntee, Ridgefield Park, has been in Traffic for over 25 years. He had nearly perfect attendance at our meetings with the only exception a couple of years ago when he had an operation. We wish all three the best in their retirement. REMINDER: The use of a hand held cell phone or text messaging while driving is now a primary offense. Contrary to some belief police are not exempt from the law unless they are using the device while on duty and then only for official business. The NJ Jersey Supreme Court released its long-awaited opinion in the Alcotest case captioned State v. Chun. In a 131-page, unanimous opinion written by Justice Hoens, the Court ruled that the Alcotest 7110 is a scientifically reliable instrument for determining blood-alcohol concentration. More on this at our April 2nd meeting. Stay safe - Bill. SGT. DONALD LEYKO: Donald Leyko passed away in Melbourne, Florida on March 11, 2008. He was a Region Vice President with the NJPTOA until his retirement from the Fairfield Police Department. Expressions of sympathy are asked to consider donations to Wuesthoff Brevard Hospice or to Pancreatic Cancer Research at: www.PanCan.org. Don fought a good battle with this deadly disease. We offer our sincere condolences to his wife and children. 
RURAL ROAD SAFETY INITIATIVE: Secretary Mary Peters announced the launch of the U.S. Department of Transportation's Rural Safety Initiative. This national effort will help raise awareness of the risks drivers face on America's rural roads. The initiative will support States in improving rural road safety by highlighting available tools and programs, and it will provide assistance and encourage demonstrations of innovative, quick and effective leveraging of existing resources. This new endeavor will be multi-modal and comprehensive in addressing five key goals: safer drivers, better roads, smarter roads, better trained emergency responders, and improved outreach and partnerships. For more information on the Rural Safety Initiative, visit www.dot.gov/affairs/ruralsafety. NEW JERSEY ASSOCIATION OF RECONSTRUCTIONISTS: The NJ Association of Reconstructionists, an organization started by the NJPTOA in 1990, is hosting their annual Joint Conference in Atlantic City in October 2008 and is seeking suggestions from NJPTOA members on crash investigation/reconstruction topics they would like to see presented. The conference brings together Associations from New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. There also will be presentations by National and International reconstruction experts who will demonstrate live crash tests. Due to planning and logistic concerns they are seeking your input ASAP. Please contact President Frank Volpicella at Retvolpe@aol.com or board member Joe Cofone at crashman2u@optonline.net. You can visit the NJAAR website at www.NJAAR.org to keep up to the latest developments. 
As of March 20, 2008 there were 112 fatalities recorded on NJ roads compared to 169 during the same period in 2007, A DECREASE OF 57 DEATHS. Note: These figures are only preliminary
So far this year there were 62 Driver deaths, 19 Passengers, 26 Pedestrians, and 05 Pedacyclists. There were 112 fatalities in 106 crashes. POLICE SECURITY EXPO: The Expo is at the Atlantic City Convention Center (NJ) on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 and Wednesday, June 25, 2008. The NJPTOA will hold their meeting on Wednesday June 25 beginning at 10:00 a.m. You can avoid waiting on long lines for registration by using the following address to register in advance. Admission is free and you can invite guests. http://www.police-security.com/registrationACNew.htm CENTURION MODEL LITHIUM FLASHLIGHT FIRE DANGER: A Pennsylvania Trooper assisting at a fatal crash and using his flashlight during very cold weather until the lithium batteries failed and the light went out. The dead light was on the Trooper's gun belt for over an hour until he returned to station. While he was making copies of the fatal crash photos he heard a loud pop and fully believed that his Glock sidearm had discharged in the holster due to the noise and the heat he was feeling on his side...but the above flashlight was actually the cause. The light had actually exploded and set the trooper's shirt on fire. Another trooper heard the loud bang and saw the smoke and burning flashlight. He put on leather gloves and removed the burning flashlight from the trooper's belt. The light had become so hot that it would have seared skin. The trooper was saved of a severe burn related injury by his bullet-proof vest and the other trooper's fast actions. The lithium batteries are labeled "WF," and were purchased on line by the trooper. If you have any questions call Sergeant Craig B. Stine at (570) 593-2000 or visit PSP on the web at http://www.psp.state.pa.us/PennsylvaniaState Police. 
IF YOU NEED TO CONTACT THE NJPTOA: Our new permanent address is P.O. Box 664, Voorhees, NJ 08043….856-220-1433. Contact the Operations Secretary, Mark Wilson, at the above address and phone number. His e-mail address is NJPTOA@HOTMAIL.COM. Contact the Executive Director, Tony Parenti, at 16 Pleasant Avenue, Fanwood, NJ 07023….908-322-8583….e-mail, tparenti@comcast.net. You also can contact either one via the NJPTOA website. NATIONAL WORK ZONE AWARENESS WEEK: The National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) will be observed, April 7-11, 2008. The Ninth Annual National Media Event will be observed on April 8, in Sacramento, California at the California State Capitol. The event will be hosted by the California Department of Transportation. The theme for this year's NWZAW is "Slow for the Cone Zone." Today's work zone points to tomorrow's improved roadways for smoother rides, better traffic flow and safer travel in your future. For more information go to: http://www.atssa.com/cs/national-work-zone-awareness-week. "U GOT BRAINS": The Brain Injury Association of New Jersey announced a new approach to reach teens that are at highest risk for brain injury and car crashes. Teens can use the site www.ugotbrains.com. The site provides information and education showing teens the real life consequences of their behaviors. The material is presented in a manner that appeals to this age group. There are some graphic videos, pictures, true stories and a comment page where people can post their questions and thoughts. For questions or comments contact Wendy Berk at wberk@bianj.org or 732-972-3451. 
ALWAYS WEAR YOUR SAFETY BELTS AND BULLETPROOF VEST SALUTE OUR WAR HEROES - NEVER FORGET THE DEPARTED Next Meeting April 2nd - Somerville Elks Club, Bridgewater, NJ |