Recreation Seeks Funding For Eno’s Pond County Park

LACEY – Ocean County Parks and Recreation is seeking funding through the State of NJ Green Acres Program for improvements at Eno’s Pond County Park located at 330 E Lacey Road, Forked River.

Ocean County Parks and Recreation proposes to remove the existing playground structure at Eno’s Pond County Park and replace it with a completely inclusive playground. Maps, photos, and information about the project can be found at: Oceancountyparks.org

The public is encouraged to attend a public hearing to learn more about the proposal and to ask questions or provide comments on the proposed plan on February 15 at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held at Ocean County Ad-

Boys BasketballTeam Of e Week

MANAHAWKIN – Congratulations to the Southern Regional Boys Basketball team on being named Shore Sports Network “Team of the Week.” Congratulations to the players and coaches. Special congratulations to Tom Menegus on being named Shore Sports Network Week 2 - “Player of the Week.” ministration Building located at 101 Hopper Avenue, Toms River. Written comments on the proposed application may be directed to Ocean County Parks and Recreation, 1198 Bandon Road, Toms River.

An inclusive playground design includes systems and components that allow all children to play together in a rich and engaging way. In an inclusive play space, children of different abilities can play together, ensuring no one is left out, in a rich and engaging way.

Ocean County is seeking public input. Should you have feedback please email your thoughts and comments to glohmeyer@ co.ocean.nj.us.

Full information about this project can be found on our website oceancountyparks.org under UPDATES on the home page.

Community:

Continued From Page 5 place I’m going to steer my children is in law enforcement,” he said.

The idea of recruiting people of color involved changing the perception of law enforcement agencies as racist institutions.

One audience member disagreed with the concept that diversity had any role when it came to hiring police officers. The man, who said he grew up in Albania and was a Muslim, claimed he was “famous” and had worked for John Gotti.

“I’ve spent 20 years in prison because I did the wrong thing,” said the man. “I’ve been beat up as a white man by police. My son’s in jail.”

Rodney Coursey, a young Black man identified what he saw as an issue.

“The gentleman spoke about being a criminal,” Coursey said of the previous speaker. “A lot of these things happen to young brothers because of the stigma of the color of their skin. We’re talking about people who aren’t necessarily criminals who are being brutalized and victimized by law enforcement.”

Coursey also asked the members of the panel if they intended to engage in community policing. Plotkin said he believed that cops should be out interacting with residents outside of a context of a stop or arrest.

“I grew up in Lakewood basically my whole life and my relationship with law enforcement started when I was 10,” said Carrington. “I was 11 or 12 years old when the beat cop used to come by my house and joke with my dad. I can tell you 100 percent that I never had an adverse relationship with law enforcement – and that’s because there was communication. There was trust.”

Justin Jacobs of Toms River thanked the various law enforcement officials who acknowledged they had no idea what it was like to be a Black man. He figured he’d offer some personal insight as his voice shook with emotion.

“Five Black police officers were witnessed on camera beating another man,” said Jacobs. “You used the word inhumane – they were arrested and fired almost immediately.”

“Meanwhile, you have people like Chauvin, who knelt on someone’s neck for almost ten minutes,” continued Jacobs. “And, it takes months, almost years for anything to happen… so that’s the question, does this become the new template?”

Billhimer said he believed the action from Memphis top cops would become the new template. The public should expect law enforcement agencies to act quickly and swiftly, while also preserving the rights of the officers.

Jacobs confessed that he had a hard time trusting an organization he said was founded in racism by rich white people. He spoke of moments in history when Negros were rounded up for not “acting right.” Jacobs admitted he doesn’t want to experience fear if a police officer pulls him over.

But the truth is - a traffic stop can put Jacobs in fears for his life.

Surf City Police Chief Jack Cassella had been nodding his head throughout much of the commentary from Black audience members who described their concerns about interacting with law enforcement. Jacobs’ revelations moved Cassella to the point he wanted to offer some reassurances.

“I think the problem is we’re trying to approach a problem that’s been around for a hundred years with a very complicated answer,” said Cassella. “I think the most easiest answer we can come to is officers approaching people should treat them humane. That’s my hope for law enforcement.”

Asaiki Simon of Jackson, a Black woman, said trust in the police was difficult for her. She feared for herself, her sons, her daughter, and her husband.

“It’s really unfortunate that we as Black people can only feel comfortable in our own town if we get to know the police,” Simon shared. “That this needs to happen in order for our children not to experience what Tyre Nichols felt.”

“I’m hoping that this can come to our own neighborhoods so that we can have a community experience,” continued Simon. “And that we can have a dialogue about our children ...it would be very helpful for me to take my children to a meeting to get to know the officers in uniform and out of uniform.”