News Release
For Immediate Release
Date: September 25, 2017
Contact: Lt. William D. Walsh
Voorhees Township Helps Promote “Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day”
VOORHEES, NJ — Motorists in New Jersey and throughout the nation are asked to join a day-long effort on October 10, 2017, designed to increase awareness about safe driving behaviors and keep the State’s roadways fatality free for one-day. Known as Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day, the national initiative was designed to unite the country in moving toward zero fatalities for one full day by encouraging motorists to obey all traffic laws, including buckling up, every ride; driving the posted speed limit; avoiding distractions while driving; and always being safe and sober behind the wheel. Our goal is to experience a day when all roadway users are extra vigilant and there are no fatalities on our roadways. To support this effort, the Voorhees Police Department will be promoting public awareness through social media, variable message boards, and directed patrols. Last year in New Jersey, 603 individuals lost their lives in motor vehicle-related crashes, up from 562 in 2015. Distracted driving fatalities have increased at an alarming rate over the last 4 years. In 2013 there were 58 fatalities on the State’s roadways in which distracted driving was a major contributing factor. That number ballooned to 115 fatalities in 2016, or 19% of all traffic deaths. To help battle this growing problem, the State’s #77 alert system is now used to report all forms of dangerous driving, from those operating a vehicle while looking at a cell phone to those driving while impaired. Statewide law enforcement agencies will be utilizing their variable message boards and conducting educational activities to raise public awareness regarding this issue during the week of October 3rd ending with “Brakes on Fatalities Day on October 10th. Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day not only raises awareness about the individual responsibility we have for our driving behaviors, but also engages drivers in making positive changes behind-the-wheel every day of the year.
Additional information is available by logging on to www.asce.org/brakesonfatalities.
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For more information, please contact:
Lt. William Walsh
856.882.1107
wwalsh@vtpd.com
VOORHEES TWP. NJ 06/26/17, the Voorhees Police Department announces the arrest of Sean Gallagher (22) from the 200 block of Homer Avenue, Voorhees NJ. The Voorhees Criminal Investigations Bureau conducted follow up investigations after Patrol Officers were dispatched to residential burglaries on the 300 block of Preston Avenue, 100 block of Acorn Lane, 200 block of Homer Avenue and unit block of Prospect Avenue. Mr. Gallagher was charged with (4) counts of Burglary, (2) counts of criminal mischief and (2) counts of theft. This matter is pending in Superior Court, Camden, New Jersey.
Residents are reminded to be vigilant and report ALL suspicious activity.
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For more information about this arrest, please contact Captain Carmen Del Palazzo
Contact: Captain Carmen Del Palazzo PIO
Telephone: 856-882-1134
Email: cdelpalazzo@vtpd.com
VOORHEES TWP. NJ 4/12/17: The Voorhees Police Department is seeking assistance in identifying two suspects wanted for an armed robbery. The incident occurred on Wednesday, April 12th, 2017, at approximately 3:52am at the 7-Eleven convenience store located on the unit block of Rt. 73 in Voorhees, New Jersey. Video surveillance shows the suspects pulling into the lot, at which time, they enter the store demanding money from the attendant. The suspects are then seen returning to their vehicle, fleeing onto Cooper Road.
The suspects are both described as white males: suspect #1 wearing a red sweatshirt, approximately 5’8”, thin build, suspect #2 with shirt over face, approximately 5’10” tall, medium build.
Anyone who may have witnessed this incident or who may know the suspects, is asked to contact the Voorhees Police Department at 856-428-5400.
For more information about this armed robbery, please contact Captain Carmen Del Palazzo.
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Contact: Captain Carmen Del Palazzo PIO
Telephone: 856-882-1134
Email: cdelpalazzo@vtpd.com
For Immediate Release:
Contact: Lt. William D. Walsh
April 1 – April 21, 2017
VOORHEES — Law enforcement officers from the Voorhees Police Department will be cracking down on distracted drivers during April as part of New Jersey’s UDrive. UText. UPay. enforcement campaign.
Beginning April 1 and running through April 21, the high visibility law enforcement initiative will target motorists who engage in dangerous distracted driving behaviors such as talking on hand-held cell phones and sending text messages while driving.
“Distracted driving is a serious issue on our roadways,” said Gary Poedubicky, Acting Director of the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety. “The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that in 2014 alone, 3,179 people were killed in distracted driving crashes and an estimated 431,000 people were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver.”
Despite the fact that using a hand held cell phone or texting while driving is illegal in New Jersey, the practice appears to be widespread. In a recent survey conducted by the FDU PublicMind Poll for the Division of Highway Traffic Safety, 67% of respondents said they “very often” see people driving and talking on a hand held cell phone. 42% of respondents said they “very often” see driver’s texting.
The campaign is being carried out during the month of April, which the National Safety Council has designated as Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The New Jersey campaign is modeled after similar successful high visibility enforcement programs such as Click It or Ticket and Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.
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Voorhees Township Police Department K9’s Ruck, Maverick, & Kane have received a bullet and stab protective vests thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Ruck’s vest is sponsored by Bill and Christina Varnold of Upton, MA and embroidered with the sentiment “Gifted by Bill and Christina Varnold”. K9 Maverick’s vest is sponsored by an Anonymous Donor and embroidered with the sentiment “This vest is given by Adele and Sweeny – Be Safe”. K9 Kane’s vest is sponsored by Deena Burnett of Thornton, CO and embroidered with the sentiment “Gift of protection provided by Peter Paturynski”.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c (3) charity located in East Taunton, MA whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. The non-profit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their four-legged K9 officers.
Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provided over 2,400 protective vests, in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a cost of over 1.9 million dollars. All vests are custom made in the USA by Armor Express in Central Lake, MI.
The program is open to dogs actively employed in the U.S. with law enforcement or related agencies who are certified and at least 20 months of age. New K9 graduates, as well as K9s with expired vests, are eligible to participate.
The donation to provide one protective vest for a law enforcement K9 is $1,050.00. Each vest has a value between $1,795 – $2,234 and a five-year warranty, and an average weight of 4-5 lbs. There is an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States. For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts tax-deductible donations of any denomination at www.vik9s.org or mailed to P.O. Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718.
K-9 Ruck
K9 Ruck is handled by Officer Kenneth Sacavitch, a 22-year veteran of the Department, 17 years of which he has been a K-9 handler. K-9 Ruck was born in Czechoslovakia and was imported to the United States by Tarheel K-9 in North Carolina. K-9 Ruck is trained in patrol and narcotics detection.
K-9 Maverick
K-9 Maverick is handled by Officer Anthony Campbell, an eight-year veteran, two years as a K9 handler. K9 Maverick was purchased by Officer Campbell at eight weeks old. Once K-9 Maverick’s training was complete, Officer Campbell donated K-9 Maverick to the Voorhees Police Department. K-9 Maverick is trained in patrol and narcotics detection.
K-9 Kane
K-9 Kane joined the Voorhees Police Department in September of 2015. K-9 Kane is handled by Officer Ryan Brennan, a 10-year veteran, with over a year as a K-9 handler. K-9 Kane was born in Czechoslovakia and was also imported by Tarheel K-9. K-9 Kane is trained in patrol and narcotics detection.
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Contact: Captain Carmen Del Palazzo PIO
Telephone: 856-882-1134
Email: cdelpalazzo@vtpd.com
