Another shooting
This happened Friday and we (the public) have heard nothing from the Police or Township. I'm not a fan of the communications strategy our local authorities use when there are major crimes (shootings, car jacking, etc). It feels like they want to minimize any information/communication. I don't expect them to reveal details about the investigation but would appreciate a heads up.
yahooyahoo said:
This happened Friday and we (the public) have heard nothing from the Police or Township. I'm not a fan of the communications strategy our local authorities use when there are major crimes (shootings, car jacking, etc). It feels like they want to minimize any information/communication. I don't expect them to reveal details about the investigation but would appreciate a heads up.
Exactly. All they say is that “there is no danger to the public”. BS.
What method would the police use to notify the public? We have news sources such as TapInto as cited above. What else should police or public officials do?
PD can post on the Neighbors by ring app. the town could have an email blast list
vdfam said:
What method would the police use to notify the public? We have news sources such as TapInto as cited above. What else should police or public officials do?
The Township sends out e-alerts all the time, by email and/or text. They could easily provide safety information about recent crimes.
Tapinto found out because someone reported the police activity. The police were not giving voluntary updates.
vdfam said:
What method would the police use to notify the public? We have news sources such as TapInto as cited above. What else should police or public officials do?
Nixle and Police blotter come to mind. Both are public and issued by the MPD. That said, we need to distinguish between methods of communication and information that should be communicated. I agree that we should know when a serious crime like a shooting occurs. Details and progress of an investigation not so much.
One has to ask why there is absolutely no mention in the Star Ledger. Minor crimes are reported there for towns all over but somehow a drive by shooting of two people in Maplewood escapes them.
DrummerJer said:
DrummerJer said:
One has to ask why there is absolutely no mention in the Star Ledger. Minor crimes are reported there for towns all over but somehow a drive by shooting of two people in Maplewood escapes them.
DrummerJer said:
One would have to ask the Star Ledger why they decided not to put in a news item.
Meanwhile, police are investigating and have been in direct contact with residents in the area where the shooting occurred.
"Both males were transported to University Hospital for treatment and are still hospitalized. The Maplewood Police Department Detective Bureau is actively investigating this incident," said the statement.
"At this time, it appears that the victims were targeted and that this is an isolated incident. It is unclear at this point if a vehicle was involved or related to the incident. It should be noted that upon our arrival, we were getting reports from area residents of persons running through their yards."
Officers have completed a thorough canvass of the area for witnesses, evidence and video, DeVaul said, having gone "door to door last night and this morning to address neighborhood safety and concerns moving forward. Anyone with video, information or other tips pertaining to this incident are asked to send it to Detective Baez at cbaez@twp.Maplewood.nj.us. Individuals can provide their information or remain anonymous."
The statement noted that although several persons were detained and interviewed by detectives, no suspects have been arrested or identified at this time.
nohero said:
I live about 5 blocks from the shooting. No one has reached out. Face it. The town is trying to bury this.
It is difficult to believe the comments that residents should feel safe shouldn't worry. I know if I were a local parent my concern about my children's safety would be on high alert.
I just wish that we could understand a bit more about the nature of what happened....gangs, random shooting, drugs, high school rivalry, ..whatever seems to be driving these events. My heart goes out to the parents of these young men.
The server for the town has been out of commission for the last two days at least, and it's been impossible to get through to Town Hall by phone. That may be one reason why there's been little communication on this issue.
Elle_Cee said:
The server for the town has been out of commission for the last two days at least, and it's been impossible to get through to Town Hall by phone. That may be one reason why there's been little communication on this issue.
It took the Town three weeks to tell people there was a carjacking next to Starbucks in the middle of the village. I don't think the non-communication is due to their server.
DrummerJer said:
I live about 5 blocks from the shooting. No one has reached out. Face it. The town is trying to bury this.
how much info can you give them on the shooting if you were five blocks away? And if you did have any info why wouldn't you share it immediately with the police instead of waiting for them to knock on your door?
ml1 said:
how much info can you give them on the shooting if you were five blocks away? And if you did have any info why wouldn't you share it immediately with the police instead of waiting for them to knock on your door?
I wasn’t suggesting that I had info. Rather, I was commenting on the statement that police had gone to people in the neighborhood to assuage their fears. No one came to my neighborhood and most people would not even know that this happened if it hadn’t been for some people in town who have police scanners. Won’t surprise me if our mayor doesn’t try to confiscate those scanners. This town has always been about denying and hiding.
vdfam said:
What method would the police use to notify the public? We have news sources such as TapInto as cited above. What else should police or public officials do?
How about being forthcoming with reporters.
DrummerJer said:
I wasn’t suggesting that I had info. Rather, I was commenting on the statement that police had gone to people in the neighborhood to assuage their fears. No one came to my neighborhood and most people would not even know that this happened if it hadn’t been for some people in town who have police scanners. Won’t surprise me if our mayor doesn’t try to confiscate those scanners. This town has always been about denying and hiding.
That's nonsense. This is all over digital media. Anyone with a smartphone or computer knows this happened. The days of waiting for the News-Record to interview the chief of police are over. And if you care the township has a regular public safety committee meeting. All these issues are discussed.
Here you go. If you're interested, tune in.
I miss James Brown… he was the best neighbor in that part of town. Heck, he would’ve collared those guys running around with guns…
Communication is a problem when a significant proportion of the population is not connected to the Internet. By the time weekly newspapers or hard copy mailings reach this segment of the population, there can be much fear and confusion generated. It is hard to go door to door in neighborhoods where residents work long hours or have after work commitments. This may be part of @DrummerJer concern.
A far bigger problem may be the lack of interest/awareness of so many in our community. Issues such as recent change in recycling regulations to permit #5 plastics in the recycling bin and proposal to place artificial turf on the fields at DeHart Park have blown up on social media and in the hyperlocal press but are virtually unknown in the community at large despite a town summit on one and a public hearing on the other being scheduled for the coming week.
Those of us who do have access should use that access to keep themselves informed. Those with Internet access should share what they learn with those who must rely on word of mouth to get timely information on local matters that concern them.
joan_crystal said:
Communication is a problem when a significant proportion of the population is not connected to the Internet. By the time weekly newspapers or hard copy mailings reach this segment of the population, there can be much fear and confusion generated. It is hard to go door to door in neighborhoods where residents work long hours or have after work commitments. This may be part of @DrummerJer concern.
A far bigger problem may be the lack of interest/awareness of so many in our community. Issues such as recent change in recycling regulations to permit #5 plastics in the recycling bin and proposal to place artificial turf on the fields at DeHart Park have blown up on social media and in the hyperlocal press but are virtually unknown in the community at large despite a town summit on one and a public hearing on the other being scheduled for the coming week.
Those of us who do have access should use that access to keep themselves informed. Those with Internet access should share what they learn with those who must rely on word of mouth to get timely information on local matters that concern them.
no doubt there are people who aren't interested in following what's going on in the township. And we see it again and again on issues that have been prominently discussed publicly -- people come out of the woodwork claiming things are happening in the dark. Whether it was the turf field proposal a dozen years ago, the new turf discussion, the village redevelopment, etc. there are people who somehow avoided hearing about the issue. And then blame the township, I guess for not forcing them to have paid attention. If people aren't interested in following local issues, it's really their own fault. The pandemic interrupted a lot of means of in-person communication but I'd expect to see the TC members out in town again as they have been in the past. Those have always been good opportunities to learn about important township issues. Not to mention the TC meetings themselves.
As for shut-ins who can't afford internet access, the best thing we can do for those neighbors would be to help them find one of the many programs that are offered to provide low cost or no cost internet service.
ml1 said:
As for shut-ins who can't afford internet access, the best thing we can do for those neighbors would be to help them find one of the many programs that are offered to provide low cost or no cost internet service.
These are not all shut-ins or low income people. Many are seniors who did not grow up with the Internet and don't want to start using the Internet now. This group relies on word of mouth which has been very difficult due to the pandemic.
The broadband project that was approved for the immediate area around Seth Boyden School is a very limited (geographically and by number of those it can serve) start for the low income group who can't afford internet service. The hot spots available for borrowing from the library are a temporary, short term solution at best.
If you know of any programs, beyond the one Federal program with limited funding publicized by AARP, please let us know the word can be gotten out through SOMA Two Towns For All Ages, Hilton Neighborhood Association, Health Department, Parenting Center, local faith-based organizations and other means of reaching those who are not currently connected to the Internet because of cost.
joan_crystal said:
ml1 said:
As for shut-ins who can't afford internet access, the best thing we can do for those neighbors would be to help them find one of the many programs that are offered to provide low cost or no cost internet service.
These are not all shut-ins or low income people. Many are seniors who did not grow up with the Internet and don't want to start using the Internet now. This group relies on word of mouth which has been very difficult due to the pandemic.
The broadband project that was approved for the immediate area around Seth Boyden School is a very limited (geographically and by number of those it can serve) start for the low income group who can't afford internet service. The hot spots available for borrowing from the library are a temporary, short term solution at best.
If you know of any programs, beyond the one Federal program with limited funding publicized by AARP, please let us know the word can be gotten out through SOMA Two Towns For All Ages, Hilton Neighborhood Association, Health Department, Parenting Center, local faith-based organizations and other means of reaching those who are not currently connected to the Internet because of cost.
if people don't want to access the modern medium for news and information, and have the means to do so, do they really want to be informed? and if they are relying on WOM, a famously unreliable source of good and accurate information, do they really care about being properly informed? Sure the pandemic has interrupted some of the sources of information, but we should expect some of them to resume in the not too distant future. If a person is refusing to use the internet, but isn't house bound, they can find the TC members in the village or go to a TC meeting once in awhile.
I have sympathy for people who physically can't go out and don't have internet access. But a person who can leave the house has plenty of ways to stay informed that don't involve using a computer.
ml1: As for shut-ins who can't afford internet access, the best thing we can do for those neighbors would be to help them find one of the many programs that are offered to provide low cost or no cost internet service.
Joan: If you know of any programs, beyond the one Federal program with limited funding publicized by AARP, please let us know.
DaveSchmidt said:
ml1: As for shut-ins who can't afford internet access, the best thing we can do for those neighbors would be to help them find one of the many programs that are offered to provide low cost or no cost internet service.
Joan: If you know of any programs, beyond the one Federal program with limited funding publicized by AARP, please let us know.
I saw that. I figured Joan has the same access to Google that I have.
here's the result of a Google search for "New Jersey broadband for low income seniors":
a lot of results come up. Someone else can do the research to figure out which ones are viable options for people in Maplewood.
A few thoughts:
1.- I had no idea the outlets y'all describe exist. Thanks for that, though I probably won't connect to them as I have less interest in being informed as some here. No judgement. I just don't feel that need.
2.- I live roughly two blocks away from the Hughes St shooting. Police didn't come to my door either. They were not talking to residents to "assuage their fears." They were/are investigating a shooting.
3.- We are no more or less safe than we were before the shootings in Maplewood.
vdfam said:
A few thoughts:
1.- I had no idea the outlets y'all describe exist. Thanks for that, though I probably won't connect to them as I have less interest in being informed as some here. No judgement. I just don't feel that need.
2.- I live roughly two blocks away from the Hughes St shooting. Police didn't come to my door either. They were not talking to residents to "assuage their fears." They were/are investigating a shooting.
3.- We are no more or less safe than we were before the shootings in Maplewood.
agreed. it's not the job of the MPD to calm people's fears, other than the degree to which solving crimes calms people. It's their job to investigate. And given the sentiments being expressed here, it doesn't seem like some folks will believe either the MPD or TC if they try to reassure people.
The recent shootings are concerning, but to me it's not strictly a Maplewood issue. The country is full of guns. Even in places like NJ where it may be difficult to acquire one, it's not hard to drive to PA and buy one legally. And now it appears that perhaps pandemic stress or other factors have led to an increase in gun violence in lots of places. But if we as a country aren't serious about addressing the fact that virtually anyone can legally get their hands on a gun, we really can't blame the police or local government for not stopping firearm violence.
All that said, Maplewood is still has a lot less crime than it did when we moved here a quarter century ago. But any crime is unacceptable, so we all need to keep our eyes and ears open, and be careful when we're out, especially alone and at night.
@m/1 My apologies. I was not suggesting that you do a google search to identify financial aid programs to help those with low income afford internet access. From your above statement regarding the large number of such programs available, I assumed you were writing from existing knowledge. Most of the programs I am aware of are either centered in rural areas which lack the hardware necessary to support internet connection or those which focus on zip codes at or below the poverty level. Neither would apply to any part of Maplewood.
Comcast claims to offer internet service for qualifying low income people. I don't know how difficult it is to be approved though
https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/comcast-broadband-opportunity-program
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https://www.tapinto.net/towns/soma/sections/police-and-fire/articles/reports-2-people-shot-in-maplewood-on-hughes-street