Highlights: March 2010

Northern Region Highlights

CO Ziegler investigated a complaint of an individual who released a mink from a lawfully set snare. The individual reported releasing the animal to the local PD because he didn’t believe it was right to snare animals. The trapper was notified who verified that his snare had been tampered with. The individual was charged with hindering the lawfully taking of wildlife and plead guilty to the charge in municipal court.

Northern Region COs participated at the annual Suffern Fishing and Outdoors Show. The officers provided the general public with a variety of information concerning fish and wildlife regulations.

 On the last day of the permit shotgun season, Lieutenants Applgate and Panico responded to a trespass complaint at a pharmaceutical plant complex. The officers apprehend 3 individuals, 1 of which appeared to be extremely intoxicated. The local PD was contacted who proceeded to the scene and administered a breathalyzer test. The individual was found to be twice over the legal limit for operating a motor vehicle. Charges for gunning under the influence, trespass and hunting without hunters orange were filed.

COs Kuechler and Williamson attended the Essex, Union and Morris County Sportsman’s Federation Meetings.

Northern Region COs continued to investigate bear feeding and improper trash storage complaints. One individual was charged and later plead guilty to intentionally feeding of black bears. The court, after assessing a penalty, advised the individual that any subsequent convictions would result in substantially higher penalties.

CO Nestel attended a meeting at the National Park Service office at Dingmans Ferry, Pennsylvania. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss how New Jersey and Pennsylvania wildlife laws pertain to federal property along the Delaware River.

Central Region Highlights

Lieutenant Sich, travelling down Hawkins Rd in Jackson Township, observed three snowmobiles and one ATV carrying two passengers cross the road in front of him at a high rate of speed.  The subjects had just crossed from one section of the Colliers Mills WMA to another, driving past a number of signs prohibiting the use of off-road vehicles.  A short time later, Officers Martiak and McManus also observed the same riders in an open field on the wildlife management area.  The riders drove through a large flock of geese at a high rate of speed, in what appeared to be a deliberate attempt to injure the geese.  The two Officers were able to apprehend the ATV riders, but the snow mobile riders fled the scene even after being instructed to stop.   After interviewing the two suspects on ATVs, the other riders on snowmobiles were identified and notified by cell phone to return to the scene.  Upon questioning, the group acknowledged the fact that they had been riding on the wildlife management area for over twenty years and were aware that it was prohibited.  When they were questioned about driving through the flock of geese, one individual commented that there were too many of them anyway.  The appropriate charges were filed.  

Officer Tomlin responded to a complaint in Eagleswood Township alleging that a hunter from a semi-wild hunting area had shot across the runway of a local airport, causing some concern among the patrons of that facility.  Witnesses from the airport were able to provide additional information that helped with the investigation. Officer Tomlin later contacted and met with a representative from the Semi-wild.  During the meeting, he was able to identify the shooter and recover evidence from the field.  After the subject was interviewed, it was determined that he had strayed off the semi-wild property and shot in an unsafe direction. Complaints are pending.

The Central Region has been experiencing an increase in the number of illegal dumping cases on the regions wildlife management areas. During the most recent incident, Officer Mutone was able to track down a painting contractor who illegally dumped building debris and a quantity of paint products on the Greenwood Forest WMA.  After a lengthy investigation and using newly available tracking information, she was able to locate the subject involved.  Only after being confronted with the evidence, did the subject acknowledge his involvement and gave a written admission. The appropriate charges were filed and the subject will be held accountable for the cost of the cleanup.

CO McManus and Lieutenant Lacroix apprehended three adults and a child riding on two ATVs on the Assunpink WMA.  None of the riders were wearing helmets.  Neither of the ATVs had a visible vehicle identification number and both operators admitted to having just purchased them.  One of the ATVs also had all the stickers removed leading the officers to suspect it might be stolen.  Both ATVs were impounded.  It was later determined that the ATV with the missing stickers was recently stolen out of Howell Township.  Summonses for operating off-road vehicles, operating un-registered vehicles and failing to wear helmets were issued to the individuals.  Charges for possession of stolen property are also pending.               

Southern Region Highlights

Conservation Officer Ciraolo received information regarding the dumping of commercial debris in Union Lake WMA.  An investigation uncovered numerous items with the McDonalds name brand attached.  Assisted by Officer’s Vazquez and Ely, it was determined that one of two local McDonalds had recently undergone renovations.  The debris includes advertising materials, menus and old cash registers.  Discussions are ongoing with McDonalds Corp. and the new owner of the McDonalds store is in question.

Conservation Officer Ely while on routine patrol in the snow on Tuckahoe WMA observed a subject driving his pickup truck along the dike area.  Due to the heavy snow cover the driver was having a difficult time negotiating the roadway.  CO Ely stepped out on the dike and stopped the truck to advise the individual that the road conditions would deteriorate the further he travelled.  When CO Ely approached the driver’s window the strong odor of burnt marijuana was evident.  CO Ely removed the driver and secured a small amount of CDS in evidence and charged the subject with possession of CDS.

Conservation Officers Vazquez and Toppin, while on routine patrol in Bevans WMA, checked out a dump site that contained a carpet and chair.  An inspection of the chair revealed an out of state phone number.  There were items in the chair that indicated that there were small children in the home.  The officers called the phone number and advised the man that answered that they had recovered some personal property that contained this phone number and they were interested in returning the item to the owner.  The man provided a name and phone number for a cousin in the adjacent town.  A reverse look up of the phone number provided an address.  When the officers knocked on the door they could see what looked to be a brand new carpet in the living room.  After a short interview the owner of the house admitted to dumping the items and the appropriate summonses were issued.

Conservation Officer Ciraolo and Lieutenant Massey encountered two subjects in the parking lot of Menantico WMA.  The two subjects appeared to be fishing, but when they were approached they exited their vehicle and tried to distract the officers away from the truck.  A check of the cab produced marijuana in the front seat.  Both subjects were handcuffed and a search uncovered additional CDS on their persons and in the truck.  They were also found to be in possession of alcohol on the WMA.  Both men were cited for the CDS and WMA violations.

Marine Region Highlights

CO Dravis recently settled a case against the FV Jaime Mae, a commercial trawler out of Point Pleasant. CO Dravis originally apprehended the vessel with over by-catch limit of summer flounder and possession of striped bass caught with a net. Through a plea agreement, the owner/captain of the vessel paid $1000.00 for the summer flounder violation, $500.00 for taking striped bass with net and $200.00 for possession of undersized striped bass. There is also a mandatory suspension of the vessel’s summer flounder landing permit for a period of 60 days beginning May 2, 2010.

Acting on information and the recent explosion of striped bass activity in the Raritan Bay, CO Scott set up early morning patrols centered around the high tide. On 03/22/10, CO Scott, assisted by Lieutenant Fresco apprehended three fishermen in possession of undersized striped bass. Some of these fishermen had the fish hidden in their motor vehicles. The officers also checked compliance with the federal saltwater fishery registry. Compliance was very good.

CO Jones recently settled a case in Atlantic Highlands Court involving the apprehension of four depuration clammers working in prohibited waters. All defendants pleaded guilty and were assessed a $500.00 fine for the prohibited waters charge as well as a three year suspension of their shellfish licenses and permits. Other associated penalties were assessed to those clammers who failed to display their depuration signs; and failing to exhibit their licenses and permits to CO Jones.

CO nicklow observed a fyke net illegally set within the Collins Cove closed section of the Mullica River. Investigation of the net by boat revealed the net did not bear the fisherman’s gear identification number as required by law.  After a day or two of surveillance, CO Nicklow observed the fisherman tend the net.  Following an interview, the fisherman admitted that he had a total of five nets set in the river.  CO Nicklow checked the other nets and found that they also lacked gear identification markings.  The fisherman was ordered to immediately remove the net within the closed area, and mark his remaining nets.  CO Nicklow issued the fisherman a summons for failing to properly mark his gear and a warning for the placement of the fyke net within the Collins Cove boundary.

On 3/7/10 CO James boarded the FV Capt Charlie in Wildwood as it returned from a crab dredge trip in the Delaware Bay.  As a part of the crab dredge fishery, harvesters are allowed to retain and land conch as a by-catch.  This season has produced large numbers of conch landed from this fishery.  When he boarded this vessel, CO James documented over 160 conchs which measured less than the 5 inch minimum size.  The appropriate summons was issued to the captain of the vessel.

Training Unit Highlights

Captain Brown taught a block of instruction on Map Reading, Land Navigation and Compass Reading skills to a group of 30 high school students enrolled in the Law and Public Safety curriculum at the Warren County Technical School in Washington New Jersey.

Lt. Leonard conducted a 3 hour block of instruction in Defensive Tactics for the officers of the Southern Regions.  Topics covered included blocks and strikes with the empty hand.

Lt. Leonard coordinated the effort of investigating the backgrounds of 11 potential Conservation Officer candidates set to be hired in the coming months.  Officers from all Regions participated in the process, which included fingerprinting of the candidates, extensive interviews of references and investigation for incidents of improper conduct.