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MEETING NOTICES: Board Of Directors: The next meeting is at the call of the President. Regular Business Meeting: WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 1, 2004 - 10:00 AM at the Somerville Elks Club, Route 28 (Union Avenue) Bridgewater, NJ SUPREME COURT SAYS SUSPECT MUST GIVE NAME TO POLICE The Supreme Court gave police greater power to stop and question suspects, ruling a Nevada cowboy could not refuse to give his name to officers who tried to question him. The cowboy said he didn't have to reveal his name or show an ID. Justice Kennedy said, "Asking questions is an essential part of police investigation. In the ordinary sense a police officer is free to ask a person for identification without implicating the Fourth Amendment." This ruling follows a 1968 decision saying police may briefly detain someone on reasonable suspicion, without the stronger standard of probable cause, to get more information. Justices said during brief detentions, known as Terry stops, people must answer questions about their identities. In other cases the court: Allowed police to kick down a suspect's door after only 15 seconds if they believed the suspect was dangerous, or that evidence could be destroyed. Upheld "informational roadblocks" where officers seek public help to solve crimes. Permitted drugs found in suspect's car can be used as evidence after federal agents dismantled car at a border checkpoint. Ruled lawful suspect's arrest next to his vehicle after drugs were found inside the car. Court said it's not always necessary for the suspect to be inside his car to have evidence used against him. SURCHARGE FOR UNSAFE DRIVING STATUTE: The Governor signed legislation assessing a $250 surcharge on Unsafe Operation, 39:4-97.2. Currently, unsafe driving is punishable by a fine and no motor vehicle violation points are assessed for first or second offenders; third offenders are assessed two points. The courts will send the surcharge money to the Division of Revenue. The fund will be used as security for bonds to be issued to the FY'05 budget. The Governor also increased surcharges from $100 to $150 after a motorist accumulates 6 or more points. Each additional point is subject of a $25 surcharge, as is the case under current law. SIGN SUMMONS BUT IF YOU FORGET, NOT TO WORRY: The state Supreme Court recently ruled that even if a police officer forgets to sign a traffic summons, the driver must still answer the charge. The case involved a drunk driver who was found guilty in municipal court, but was overturned at the appellate level. The Supreme Court overturned that ruling saying court rules "are designed to ensure that traffic offenses are decided on the merits rather than dismissed on technicalities. The defendant's attorney argued that court rules require officers to sign summonses and "that signature plays a valuable role in protecting citizens' rights." As of June 16, 2004, there were 266 fatalities recorded on NJ roads compared to 283 during the same period in 2003, A DECREASE OF 17 BODIES. .
During this period there were 161 driver deaths, 39 passengers, 52 pedestrians, 10 motorcycle drivers, 01 motorcycle passengers, and 03 pedacyclists. There were 266 Fatalities in 257 crashes. IDENTIFYING DECEPTIVE BEHAVIOR ON A TRAFFIC STOP COURSE: Dialect on a traffic stop supplements other evidence gathered toward an officer's reasonable and articulable suspicion of criminal wrongdoing; therefore, should not be overlooked. This brand new one day course, sponsored through the Traffic Officers' Association of Central/West Jersey, Inc., provides ways for an officer on a traffic stop to not only hear, but listen to what's being said; identifying communication(s) that focus on the person's vocal and body language (for example eye movement, verb tenses, specific phrases, time references, and pronouns). The date is December 10, 2004, beginning at 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, at the Somerset County Fire Academy, Hillsborough. The cost is $25.00 for Traffic Officers' Assn. of Central/West Jersey members and $35.00 for non-members with continental breakfast and buffet lunch included. The instructor is Chief Robert A. Verry, of the South Bound Brook Police Department. For further information contact Ms.Ward at 732-356-0087 ext. 17, fax 732-302-9521 or e-mail cward@southboundbrook.com. Open to sworn law enforcement personnel only - seating limited to the first 100. ONE-WAY TOLLS ON PARKWAY BEGIN AUGUST 15: Beginning August 15th, motorists will be able to pass through the Parkway's Raritan North and Asbury South toll plazas without paying. But on the return trip, Asbury North and Raritan South, you'll have to pay 70 cents to make at each plaza to make up for the lost revenue. Workers will begin to move equipment out of the toll booths right away and expect the barriers to be knocked down by December 15th. Sometime next year they expect to have high-speed EZPass at the locations. Supposedly drivers with EZPass will be able to travel through at or near the posted speed limit. NEXT MEETING WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 1, 2004 - 10:00 AM Somerville Elks Club, Route 28 (Union Avenue) Bridgewater, NJ WE SALUTE OUR FIGHTING MEN AND WOMEN |
