Press Release

The Avalon Police Department encourages property owners in the Borough to provide the department with updated contact telephone numbers in the event police need to reach the property owner for any reason relating to their property, ie:  Burglary, criminal mischief, etc.  In some cases, property owners have changed their contact phone numbers or the property is owned by a corporation.  You may use the department’s confidential email address to submit your updated contact information on your property in Avalon.  Please include your name, address of your Avalon property, and your contact phone number.  You may email this information to police@avalonboro.org.  All information is confidential and will not be shared with any other department or organization.  Participation in this outreach is purely voluntary.

The Avalon Police Department has announced the creation of its first-ever social media outreach program.  The department now has its own Facebook page, found at www.facebook.com/AvalonPD.  This Facebook page joins the Borough’s new website, www.avalonpolice.org.

“Social media provides the Avalon Police Department with an excellent opportunity to both gather and disseminate essential information”, said Avalon Police Chief William McCormick.  “This Facebook page will continually update residents and visitors on critical information and provide the community with an easy way to contact us with any tips that they may have”.

During its first week of existence, the Avalon Police Department’s Facebook page received over 350 responses.  The page currently contains information about the Borough’s “Senior Alone Program”, vendor/taxicab applications, community events, and active investigations.  The page also includes an email address that will allow the public to submit tips to the Avalon Police Department; that address is police@avalonboro.org.

‘We believe the business community in Avalon will use the Facebook page throughout the year”, said Avalon Police Captain Dave McCallion.  “The page enables businesses to share immediate, real-time information about shoplifters, counterfeit money, and other issues that impact businesses”.

In recent months, the Avalon Police Department created its own website, www.avalonpolice.org.  This website contains useful “quality of life” information for the Borough of Avalon, including a “Frequently Asked Questions” page and a list of Borough ordinances that deal with a variety of public safety issues.  The page can also be accessed through the municipal website, www.avalonboro.org.

The non-emergency telephone number for the Avalon Police Department is (609) 967-3411; in the event of any emergency, please dial 9-1-

The Avalon Police Department has charged a Burlington County, NJ man with burglary and other offenses after an alert neighbor reported seeing him break into a nearby home.

On February 17, 2013, a local resident contacted police at 2:56 a.m. stating he observed a male in his neighbor’s yard, peering into the windows with a flashlight. Upon arrival, Officers observed Michael McCool, age 23, from Moorestown, NJ smashing a rear sliding glass door to gain entry. He was apprehended after a brief foot chase. Subsequent investigation revealed damage to several other nearby homes which was attributed to McCool.

 McCool was charged with burglary, criminal mischief, trespassing and resisting arrest. He was released after posting $25,000.00 full cash bail set by the Hon. George Neidig of the Avalon Municipal Court.

 The case was investigated by Sgt. Jeffrey Christopher and Ptlm. Robert Hampf. Residents are urged to report any suspicious behavior by contacting the Avalon Police Department at (609)967-3411 or dialing 9-1-1.

On October 11, 2012, Avalon Police were notified that a despondent male may be in their jurisdiction, armed with a handgun. Acting on information from the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, Det. Eric Heisman and Det. Sgt. Joseph Gaughan located the individual on the 31^st Street beach.

    When approached by the Detectives, the male entered the ocean, wearing jeans and a sweat shirt. A Multi-jurisdictional response converged on the beach in an effort to retrieve the male from the water which was estimated to be approximately 65 degrees at the time of the incident.

    After treading water for forty five minutes to an hour, the male was pulled into an Avalon Fire Department boat by a rescue team consisting of: Sgt. Greg Jackson, Stone Harbor Police Department; Ptlm. David Glassford, Avalon Police Department; and S.O. Ryan Osmundson, Cape May County Sheriff’s Department.

    The unidentified male was treated by the Avalon Rescue Squad and Medic 9 for hypothermia and transported to Cape Regional Medical Center for further evaluation. The original report of a handgun was not substantiated.

     Responding agencies included the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, Cape May County Sheriff’s Department, Stone Harbor Police Department, NJ State Police and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Avalon Police Chief William McCormick announced that the Borough of Avalon will join other municipal police departments throughout the State of New Jersey with the safety effort “Put the Brakes on Fatalities” Day”.  The day will be observed on Wednesday, October 10^th, 2012.

“The Avalon Police Department is proud to support this important public safety message to the motoring public”, Chief McCormick said.  “Last year in New Jersey 627 individuals lost their lives in motor vehicle accidents.  This is an important way to remind all motorists to practice safe driving habits and eliminate the number of distractions when they are behind the wheel”.

The number of motor vehicle accidents in New Jersey during 2011 represented a significant increase of 51 fatalities over the 2010 figures.  In the United States, there were more than 32,000 fatal motor vehicle crashes last year alone.  The “Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day” is an effort by municipal police departments to drive safely and realize the goal of zero motor vehicle fatalities during a calendar year.  The program is an ambitious effort by the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety.

Statistics show that 24 percent of all fatal traffic accidents in the Garden State are alcohol-related accidents.  The number of speed related fatalities has nearly tripled over the past four years.  In 2011, 92 motorcyclists, 17 bicyclists, and 143 pedestrians lost their lives in traffic-related accidents in New Jersey last year.  Motor vehicle accidents remain the leading cause of death for young Americans between the ages of 15 and 34.

“The number of potential distractions for the motoring public has never been higher thanks to cell phones and other electronic devices”, Chief McCormick said.  “By participating in this important initiative we would like to remind the motoring public to keep both eyes on the road at all times, obey speed limits, avoid drinking and driving, and buckle up”.

(Avalon, NJ)—Avalon Police Chief William McCormick has announced the arrest of a Pennsylvania man on charges that he stole a bicycle in the community that belonged to the Avalon Police Department during a bicycle theft sting operation on Monday, August 13^th.

Borough Police charged 37 year old John P. McCormick of Perkasie, PA with charges including theft, receiving stolen property, and unlawful taking a means of conveyance.  Mr. McCormick is unrelated to the Avalon Police Chief.

On Monday, August 13^th at approximately 1:00am, Avalon police placed a bicycle at the corner of 22^nd Street and Dune Drive.  Mr. McCormick was seen by police taking the bicycle and riding away from the intersection.  He was apprehended by the Avalon Police Department Bicycle Unit one block away on Ocean Drive.

Arresting officers were Patrolman Timothy Beal, Special Officer Mark Glassford, and Special Officer Trevor Donohue.  Mr. McCormick was released on his own recognizance following his arrest.

The Avalon Police Department reminds all residents and visitors that a bicycle theft is a crime of opportunity.  When bicycles are not in use, they should be locked up or placed inside a secure building like a shed or garage.