Scott

opens in a new windowAvalon Police Background Check information

NJ State Police Protocol prevents us from fingerprinting for non police criminal history checks. Requests for these must be scheduled through the official NJ State Police contractor. Additional information may be found by clicking here

The Borough of Avalon filled vacancies in its police department during the Borough Council meeting held on Wednesday, June 25^th. The three new officers were recommended to Council by Police Chief William McCormick and were sworn in during the meeting by Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi.

Anthony DeCesero Jr.

“It’s always exciting when one of the most proficient police departments in the State of New Jersey is able to add new police officers to its ranks”, Mayor Pagliughi said. “These young men are ready to protect and serve the citizens and visitors in the Borough of Avalon”. The three hires were made to replace members of the Avalon Police Department who have recently retired.

The new patrolmen are: Anthony DeCesero, who served for two summers as a Class II Special Officer with the Avalon Police Department before serving as a full time Class II Officer with the Vineland Police Department; Gregory Armstrong, who served with the Cape May City Police Department as a Class II Special Officer and Colby Meloy, who served as a Class II Special Officer with the Ocean City Police Department. Chief McCormick reports that all three new hires come highly recommended to the Borough of Avalon.

The Mayor and Avalon Borough Council also presented Borough Administrator Andrew Bednarek with an official proclamation thanking him for his three decades of service to community. This was Bednarek’s final Council meeting while serving as Borough Administrator.

Colby Meloy

The Avalon Borough Council will hold its official reorganization meeting on Tuesday, July 1^st, at 4:00pm at Avalon Borough Hall.

The Avalon Police Department experienced two major promotions during the Borough Council meeting on Wednesday evening, January 29th.  Jeff Christopher was promoted to the position of Captain, while Sean McNair was promoted to Sergeant.

Captain Jeff Christopher receives his badge from Chief McCormick

“The Avalon Police Department is among the best in the State of New Jersey”, said Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi who conducted swearing-in ceremonies for both Captain Christopher and Sergeant McNair.  “We are very fortunate to have two highly skilled individuals with many years of public service to Avalon assuming these roles in the Avalon Police Department”.

Captain Christopher replaces Captain Dave McCallion who announced his retirement effective May 1^st.  Captain Christopher began his career with the Avalon Police Department in 1997 as a Class II officer.  He was hired full time in May, 200.  Captain Christopher was promoted to Sergeant in March, 2011.   He has an associate’s degree in Criminal Justice from Gloucester County Community College and currently resides in Upper Township with his wife Suzanne and three children.

Sergeant McNair began his career with the Avalon Police Department in 2005 as a Class II officer.  He was hired to a full time position in August, 2008.  Sergeant McNair resides in Dennis Township with his wife Bryttany and has one child.

Sergeant McNair is congratulated by Mayor Pagliughi

For more information, please visit www.avalonpolice.org.

The Avalon Police Department is continuing its investigation into the discovery of a body that was found on the 22^nd Street beach on Wednesday, January 1^st, 2014.

At 7:28am, Avalon Police received a telephone call from a passerby who discovered the body on the beach.  Avalon Police immediately responded, along with the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office and the Cape May County Medical Examiner.

The deceased is identified as 26 year old Brett Fitzpatrick from Ocean City, New Jersey.  An autopsy is being performed on Mr. Fitzpatrick to determine the cause of death.

The Avalon Police Department and the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office are conducting a joint investigation.  Additional information will be released when it becomes available.

The Avalon Police Department and the Avalon Borough Council has promoted Eric Heisman to the position of Patrol Sergeant.  Sgt. Heisman was administered his oath of office to his new position by Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi during the Avalon Borough Council meeting on Wednesday, November 13^th.Sgt. Heisman began his career as a Patrolman with the Avalon Police Department on September 5^th, 2007 when he transferred from the Gibbsboro Police Department.  In January, 2011 he was transferred to the Detective Bureau where he served as one of two Detectives for the Avalon Police Department.

Sgt. Heisman will be assigned to Squad 3 where he will supervise the activities of the field and headquarters personnel.  He will take part in police activities intended to provide order, maintenance, assistance, and protection of persons and property, observance of the law, and the detection and apprehension of law violators.

He attended Burlington County Community College where he received his Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice.  Sgt. Heisman resides in Egg Harbor Township.

The Avalon Police Department arrested a Woodbine, NJ man on drug possession and distribution offense on Tuesday, August 27^th, 2013.

New Jersey State Police requested that the Avalon Police Department serve a temporary restraining order against Calvin T. Rogers, 33, who was working as a dishwasher at an Avalon business.  During the process, Rogers was round to have a warrant out for his arrest.  While placing Rogers under arrest, Avalon Police Patrolman William Robinson discovered that Rogers had in his possession 18 bags of marijuana and five bags of cocaine.

Rogers was charged with Possession of Cocaine, Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Possession of Marijuana, Intent to Distribute Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  Rogers was taken to the Cape May County Jail on $25,000 cash bail.

Avalon Police have charged a Delaware man with Possession of an Imitation Firearm and other offenses relating to a motor vehicle stop on Thursday, August 15^th, 2013.

At approximately 12:55am, Avalon Police Sergeant John Roscoe observed a green Jeep driving through a red traffic signal.  The driver of the Jeep led the police officer through the Avalon business district in the north end of town while driving erratically until he was subsequently stopped in the 2900 block of Ocean Drive.

Patrolman Charles Hewitt observed the butt of what appeared to be a Glock-style handgun sticking out from underneath the center console of the vehicle.  The investigation revealed that the firearm was actually an Airsoft-type gun with the orange safety markings removed, giving it the appearance of an actual firearm.

The driver, 25 year old Matthew L. Snyder of Wilmington, Delaware, was subsequently arrested on charges including Possession of an Imitation Firearm, Reckless Driving, and Failure to Observe a Traffic Signal.  Mr. Snyder was released on his own recognizance.

The Avalon Police Department has hired three new full time police officers.  The officers were sworn in to their full time positions by Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi during a meeting of the Avalon Borough Council on Wednesday, August 14^th, 2013.

“The application process for these three positions was very competitive and Avalon is pleased to add these three men to the ranks of the Avalon Police Department”, said Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi.  “We welcome their talents and efforts to compliment one of the finest police departments in the entire State of New Jersey”.

The three new officers will fill vacancies created by two prior retirements in the Avalon Police Department and by the upcoming retirement of Avalon Police Sgt. Frank Hood.  The three new officers are:

-Mark Glassford, 26, of Belleplain, NJ.  Officer Glassford has served as a Class II officer with the Avalon Police Department since 2008.  He is the brother of Avalon Police Sgt. David Glassford.

-Joseph Duda, 22, of Buena, NJ.  Officer Duda began his career with the Avalon Police Department as a Class I officer in 2010 and has served as a Class II officer since 2011.

-Nicholas Brady, 20, of Hammonton, NJ.  Officer Brady served as a Class II officer in Sea Isle City in 2012 before being hired as a full time Class II officer in Haddon Heights in 2013.

The Avalon Police Department will join with other municipal police departments in the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” initiative.  The anti-drunk driving campaign begins Friday, August 16^th and runs through Monday, September 2^nd.  The program will include sobriety checkpoints and roving patrols, looking for motorists who may be driving while intoxicated.

The Division of Highway Traffic Safety awarded Avalon a $4,400 grant to participate in the program which was launched in the United States in 1999.  “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” combats drunk driving during some of the busiest travel times of the year, including the popular Labor Day Weekend holiday.

“Shore communities like Avalon need to continually send the message that drinking and driving is simply not tolerated and breaks the law”, said Avalon Police Chief William McCormick.  “Avalon is proud to participate in this program as another reminder to residents and visitors to not get behind the wheel after consuming alcoholic beverages”.

“Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” includes high-visibility enforcement and public and education tools, including posters, banners and mobile video display signs.  Police departments who participate in the program may also conduct sobriety checkpoints and roving patrols, specifically designed to pull over motorists who may be driving while intoxicated.

In 2012, alcohol-impaired fatalities accounted for 19 percent of New Jersey’s motor vehicle fatalities.  The Division of Highway Traffic Safety provides grants to local law enforcement agencies throughout the state to run the two-week program.

Here are some tips to avoid being arrested for driving while intoxicated:

• Designated a driver who will not consume alcohol before going out.
• Take advantage of other transportation alternatives including Avalon’s Jitney service or various taxi services
• Spend the night where the activity is held
• Report drunk drivers to law enforcement