Homeless Camp Forced To Relocate

By Stephanie Faughnan

TOMS RIVER – The homeless encampment located near high-tension wires moved after JCP&L’s parent company erected “no trespassing” signs on the part of the property it owns.

Chris Hoenig, a First Energy/JCP&L spokesperson, confi rmed that the signs were placed there on July 28. The homeless encampment was initially located on property partially owned by the munici- pality and First Energy.

One of the main access roads to the camp is on land owned by Ocean County and Toms River Township.

“Safety is a JCP&L priority, and we remind the public to keep away from powerlines and energized electrical equipment and at least 30 feet away from all JCP&L infrastructure for their own safety and protection,” Hoenig told (Homeless - See Page 5) called, I Believe that We Will Win,” Keane said. “Teams played the national anthems of their countries and chanted about the sport.”

Keane, who competed at outside right back, said the team encountered rugged play.

“A lot of teams were a lot more physical than we were so

Photo courtesy Minister Steve Brigham No Trespassing signs were erected in the area of the high-tension wires.

By Judy Smestad-Nunn

Senior Services has been holding activities and programs in the VFW Hall on Adamston Road, while the administrative/outreach side has been operating out of Civic Plaza on Chambersbridge Rd.

All services and programs will come together under one roof when the new, more centralized building opens in October, said Senior Services director Zulma Soto.

“We hope to be somewhat functional and fully operating at that time, and while there could still be some delays, we’re excited,” she said from the construction site.

The largest area is the multi-purpose room. An attached alcove will be the site of a small library with a table and chairs. There is even a large window in the alcove, which adds to the overall bright and airy feel to the center.

A small conference room is also located off the multi-purpose room, where there is space for a table, four chairs and computers. This room will offer a private area for seniors to share confidential information about various programs.

“When we work with our seniors, there is a lot of exchange of personal information,” Soto said.

“We do taxes, we do eligibility for programs

(Center - See Page 7)

Soccer:

Continued From Page 1 we had to adjust to it,” she said. “We had to adjust to their physicality and the way they moved the ball. On the 50-50 balls, they went to the opposing player fi rst, then went to the ball. We had to adjust to it and we were able to. Their forwards were very fast with their feet and their foot skills when they were on the ball.”

Matches consisted of 30-minute halfs. Some needed extra action to settle the score.

“The matches were rough on our bodies,” Keane said, “but we were able to recover by going into jacuzzis to give our bodies time to rest. Teams stayed in hotels.”

Keane said competing in the tournament was a learning experience.

“Every forward will have a different style of play and I have to adjust to it,” she said. “I have to hold my mark better and perfect my defensive form so that I am able to stop the ball. I would give this experience a score of 10. It let me experience different teams and their styles of play.”

Keane began playing soccer at the age of four on a Delaware recreation team.

“I enjoyed it right away as I could run around and kick a ball for fun,” she said. “I love the sport. It is a good escape from everything and it helps me mentally and physically. When I play soccer, my mind is so into it and nothing interferes. I feel I am free when I am playing it. It helps keep my body in shape. The conditioning that the sport requires makes sure I won’t get hurt easily. The sport makes my bones and muscles stronger. I have loved playing the sport since I was little.”

The 5-foot-2 Keane is quick.

“I do have speed,” the 115-pounder said. “I am very fast, I would say. I am good at communicating with my teammates on the field and good at picking up our players when they are down on the field either mentally or physically. I am very open when I am on the field. I don’t disrespect one of our players if they make a mistake. I am very verbal when I am on the field. I am the same way when I am off the field, very open, very talkative. If anyone needs anything, I am always there for them.

Keane also plays on the Riptide’s PDA (Player Development Academy) Shore 2007 team. She earned a berth on Brick Memorial’s Distinguished Honor Roll after posting four A’s and one B.

“I would like to play soccer in college anywhere in the country,” Keane said, “but I would like to play close to home so that my parents can watch me play.”

McCullough, who played center back, said competing in the event was demanding.

“It was hard as we played in so many games,” she said, “but it was really fun. We played as many as three games on one day. We learned a lot about physical recovery. The wife of one of our coaches, Melinda Nicoletti, is a physical therapist. She brought us bands to stretch our muscles with. We focused on hydration and on eating the right stuff. Her help improved our performance. We played in the same format last year and it was defi nitely a lot against tough competition.

“It was real important to focus on the one game we played at the time. We had to keep winning to play that many games. We put all of our energy into the game we played at the time as we did not know if we will continue to the next game.”

McCullough said competing in the event expanded her knowledge of the sport.

“I learned a lot from watching the other nations play,” she said. “It was real cool to see different players and their styles of play. I am trying to use what I learned in the tournament for the high school level and for whatever else I have going on.”

McCullough, who will be a junior in September, enjoyed the cultural aspects of the event.

“It was cool to see how the different countries communicated with each other,” McCullough said. “It was cool to see how the girls from the different countries dressed.”

As the team advanced, so did the level of intensity in each match.

“The semifi nal match was the most fun,” McCullough said. “The most intense games are the most fun.”

McCullough brings several skills to the field.

“I am very calm on the ball,” she said. “I am a good decision maker. I am good at serving balls from the back. I am a leader on the field. I direct my teammates. That’s something I have improved on. I am a physical player. I am trying to talk more. If you play in the back, you always have to communicate. I am good on free kicks. I had played in the middle. I am a playmaker.

“I am close with all of the girls on my team on and off the field. I don’t take anything personally when I am on the field. Off the field, I get along with everyone. I like to joke around ... whatever.”

McCullough, a 5-foot-8, 135-pounder, and Keane also compete for the Brick Superstorm, ranked seventh in New Jersey in the under16 age group, of the Brick Township Soccer Association.

McCullough and Keane met Team Adiona coaches Linzi McCormick and Ashley Denti in 2020 when they played under their direction on the New Jersey Olympic Development Program team. Last winter, McCormick and Denti selected 18 girls from around the state to compete in the Cup. Team Adonia placed third out of 118 teams last summer.

A member of the Honor Roll since her freshman year, McCullough hopes to compete at the collegiate level.

“Defi nitely more south,” she said. “Either the Carolinas or Florida. I am defi nitely interested in going where it is a little warmer.”

“Culturally,” Brick Memorial coach Bill Caruso said, “words cannot begin to describe the experience of playing in an event like the Gothia Cup. The entire city is taken over by youth soccer players and they get to interact with people from all over the world. There were matches where our girls dominated. There were matches where they were very challenged.

“The European style of play was more physical than what you typically see here, but Reese and Jordan were quick to adapt. Reese and Jordan have played together on various teams for more than five years so they have great communication on the field. (Soccer - See Page 6)

Homeless:

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Jersey Shore Online.com.

To facilitate the placement of the “no trespassing” signs on their property, JCP&L received a police escort. Police Chief Mitch Little said that the company has also requested assistance from township police regarding the enforcement of no trespassing laws.

Minister Steve Brigham of Destiny’s Bridge and the organizer of the encampment revealed that 15 men and women continue to reside in the makeshift settlement, now moved to an undisclosed location on what is believed to be public property.

Together with other volunteers, Brigham and some of the inhabitants diligently worked to meet what they thought was the midnight deadline to relocate their belongings away from the powerlines.

“My son came down with one of his friends and helped,” Brigham said. “They’re very strong, energetic young men and they really helped out. It was harder on some of the others that were there, and they were exhausted.”

He added, “we moved everything that was valuable, but there were some things that were left behind.”

Brigham reported that almost half of the original community at the encampment chose to leave when offered temporary shelter in hotels. The belongings they left behind were not considered a priority during the relocation process and remain in the vicinity near the powerlines.

Among Brigham’s current worries is how to ensure a steady supply of essentials for those still at the encampment. To abide by trespassing laws, he has devised a plan to use a kayak to travel through the river within the area, allowing him to access and provide support to those in need without violating any regulations.

Thirteen individuals who continue to live in the makeshift settlement have retained legal counsel to ensure their rights are protected. Attorney Jeffrey J. Wild of Lowenstein Sandler, who serves as a Trustee of the New Jersey Coalition to End Homelessness, has been retained to advocate on their behalf.

In 2019, Wild successfully secured funds for members of another homeless community, established by Destiny’s Bridge in Howell, which were specifically allocated for relocation and temporary housing expenses. According to Wild, he personally visited the encampment last week and was deeply disturbed by the conditions he witnessed. The outside temperature felt like nearly 110 degrees, making the situation incredibly challenging. Additionally, the presence of two women relying on oxygen added to the already precarious nature of their circumstances.

“These men and women would love not to have to fight to survive in the woods,” Wild asserted. “All of them would love to have adequate indoor housing.”

He added that since his clients have moved from the edge of the JCP&L property, they are not considered trespassers. Currently, they are situated on public land deep within a park, where they are causing no disturbances and are not bothering anyone.

“Under the United States Constitution and other parts of the law, they have the right to be there,” said Wild. “Governments cannot criminalize homelessness. It is cruel and unusual punishment to treat people as criminals just because they have no place to sleep but outdoors.”

“They have a right to live there if the government provides no other place,” Wild added. “Ocean County has consistently refused to provide a homeless shelter. So, it is a very unfortunate situation.”

Although the attorney mentioned his fi rm has used litigation to advocate for the homeless, he sees it as a last resort. His initial discussions with Toms River authorities have left him with the impression that they are of the mindset of helping people rather than prosecuting them.

During their initial visit to the camp, Toms River Police arrived in plain clothes with the purpose of escorting representatives from different organizations that Chief Little believed could provide valuable resources.

In collaboration with local authorities, a range of groups has stepped forward to offer assistance, including Just Believe, Inc., Bright Harbor Healthcare, Ocean County Board of Social Services, Affordable Housing Alliance, Mental Health Association, Ocean County Board of Senior Services, HABcore, and Soldier On.

“The problem we’re facing is that it is not a one size fits all,” offered Little. “You can’t just throw money at it. There are other issues involved and that’s why we had to try to get everybody we could get together to try to meet the needs of the people in there and get them services as quickly as possible.”

Little said he was particularly concerned about the rising temperatures and the impact it could have on those living outside. As assorted people took advantage of the access to medical and psychiatric attention, some original members of the encampment accepted housing offers.

Of the group, 18 were placed in some kind of temporary housing situation, Little said. “But, again, it could be only a temporary solution, and they end up right back where they started, or in a different place. If they come back to the same place, at least they have a support group there.”

One of those who remained behind said she did so for that very reason. She worried that she and her family would receive only a short-term placement in a hotel and then be asked to vacate. There was comradery in staying within the community, even if it meant living in the woods.

Paul Hulse, CEO of Just Believe, said they brought out an oxygen tank and a wheelchair, provided by Social Service. They paid for storage units for some campers for three months.

Collaborating with other nonprofits, some housing opportunities started to open up, he said. Additionally, three dogs and two cats were placed with help from Helping Assist with Melis pet connection.

Both Brigham and Hulse have said that Ocean County needs to establish a homeless shelter as a proactive measure to address the

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A small, independent, family owned, controlled and operated business. It has a small amount of business volume. It is not franchised.

“ Open for business in a single location.”

So if your “Mom or Pop” need the services of rehabilitation and nursing services, it just makes sense to go to a

Soccer:

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Over the last two seasons, not one goal was scored on either Reese or Jordan.”

Keane and McCullough will start on the back line for Brick Memorial at outside back and center back, respectively, in 2023. McCullough returns at her position. Keane will be a fi rst-year starter.

“Jordan will be one of our most important players in the back,” Caruso said. “As a center back, she is the organizer of our defense. We will look for Reese to not only defend but to go forward and become involved in the attack. Both girls are extremely tough, physical players who never back down.

Reese could be the fastest player on our team. On the field, both players are extremely tenacious, physical, hard working players. Off the field, they are easy going girls who get along with everyone. Both have a love for the game and will give you everything they have on the field.”

Brick Memorial was 11-4-2 overall last season and tied for first place in Shore Conference Class A South with Toms River North and Toms River South. The Mustangs lost 3-2 with two minutes left in the second overtime to Middletown South in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III championship match.

Keane and McCullough enjoy playing for Caruso, the Mus-

Homeless:

Continued From Page 5 ongoing issue. Little said that he would be in favor of a shelter if it would help local people who are displaced.

“The problem with shelters is that if it’s the only one in the area,” shared Little. “It’s going to draw people from other places. We’d then have people in our town that wouldn’t have been here before seeking services. We could get overwhelmed.”

Certain homeless individuals might choose to decline offers of shelter for various reasons. These concerns include worries about inadequate storage space for tangs’ 30th-year coach.

“I love playing for him,” Keane said. “He is very supportive and I love playing for the school. He always picks up the girls when they are mentally down. He makes sure that we are all included. He is very supportive on and off the field.”

“I like him as a coach,” said McCullough, taught by Caruso as a seventh-grader at the Veterans Memorial Middle School. “He is hard on us, but it’s to benefit us. He always pushes us to do our best. He works us real hard during the preseason when we do a lot of work to get fit. When we play our games, we feel we are at the fitness level we need to be. He has us do character builders, a series of sprints that we do in 40 seconds. If you complete them on time, you are fi ne. If someone else does not make it on time, you don’t have to do them.” their belongings, difficulties in accommodating their pets, or resistance to abide by shelter rules.

Additionally, others may be dealing with mental illness, which could also influence their decision to forego accepting shelter assistance.

The chief confi rmed that the township has no plans to forcibly remove those who have chosen to stay at the encampment. Instead, they are actively seeking a collaborative approach with their attorney to identify a solution for housing and secure the necessary funding. The authorities remain optimistic about fi nding a resolution that benefits those in need.