Union County Sheriff's OfficeOfficer Lisa Santos with 25 years of service and Captain Mark Banek with over 30 years of service retired today from the Union County Sheriff’s Office. Their retirement was marked with a traditional walkout ceremony on the steps of the Union County Courthouse.
Hand addiction intervention program to operate year-round, 24-hours a day, according to a joint announcement made Tuesday afternoon by New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal, acting Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo, and Prevention Links Chief Executive Officer Morgan Thompson. Under the new program, all suspects arrested in the county for low-level possessory offenses involving heroin or other opioids will be offered face-to-face access to rehabilitative services at the time of arrest.
The program is part of an effort to address the ongoing opioid epidemic, which continues to affect New Jersey and the country generally. In the past five years, more than 500 people in Union County have died due to a drug overdose.
“Using as our model the program Attorney General Grewal started in Bergen County as Prosecutor and expanded statewide as Attorney General, Union County hopes to bring life-saving recovery assistance to those in the throes of addiction through our launch of Operation Helping Hand 24/7/365,” Prosecutor Ruotolo said. “The opioid epidemic has had a devastating cost in lives lost and futures diminished. We in law enforcement recognize that while we continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute those who profit from poisoning the people we serve, we must do more in our fight to save the lives of those who have fallen prey to addiction. Operation Helping Hand 24/7/365 is our effort to do more, and we are grateful for the partnership we have with Prevention Links, and the support we have from state and county government, to accomplish this goal of doing more.”
In support of the new initiative, Prosecutor Ruotolo has issued a directive mandating that every law enforcement agency countywide put protocols in place to ensure a smooth and all-encompassing implementation of the program. Operation Helping Hand 24/7/365 requires that law enforcement officers offer all individuals arrested for possessory level opioid offenses the option to meet face-to-face with a peer recovery coach from Prevention Links at the time of their arrest. If the individual decides to avail themselves of the program, a peer recovery coach from Prevention Links will respond to police headquarters to meet with the individual to discuss recovery options and coordinate access to services. The individual’s criminal charges are not discharged as the law enforcement officers are required to uphold the law, but as Ruotolo said, “not doing more in that moment is a lost opportunity for law enforcement to bring help to those who need it.”
“Union County’s expansion of its Operation Helping Hand program to a year-round, 24/7 service demonstrates the kind of commitment we were looking for when we encouraged counties to implement pilot programs reflecting OHH’s core concept of proactively engaging law enforcement in reaching out to at-risk individuals,” said Attorney General Grewal. “By taking the unprecedented step of offering OHH intervention and support services on a continuous basis, Union County assumes a leadership role in the fight to end the addiction epidemic and brings hope to the countless individuals impacted by this devastating health crisis.”
This initiative, and others geared toward addressing the opioid epidemic, have been bolstered by grant funding obtained from state and county government. Specifically, the Union County Prosecutor’s Office was recently awarded $62,500 from the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety’s 2019 Overdose Data to Action Operation Helping Hand Grant. The Union County Prosecutor’s Office is also the recipient of $100,000 in grant funding through Governor Phil Murphy’s Operation Helping Hand Grant. The acceptance of the aforementioned grant funding was approved by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and County Manager Edward T. Oatman. In addition, the Freeholders, and Director Debbie-Ann Anderson, of the Department of Human Services have awarded grant funding to Prevention Links in support of the incredible services they provide county residents. The Freeholders also dedicated $110,000 in direct County funding to Prevention Links for the expansion of the Operation Helping Hands program for 2020. The Union County Prosecutor’s Office is able to allocate a portion of the grant funds received from the State to Prevention Links, and combining those funds with what was awarded from the Board of Chosen Freeholders, Prevention Links was able to hire additional staff so that Prevention Links could serve as the primary rehabilitative partner in this innovative law enforcement initiative.
In 2016, while serving as the Bergen County Prosecutor, Attorney General Grewal developed Operation Helping Hand as a new and innovative way to combat opioid addiction. Under his leadership, the first multi-county “Operation Helping Hand” initiative was launched in five counties, including Union, in June 2018. Through state and federal funding, the Operation Helping Hand program was expanded to 17 counties in September 2018, and to all 21 counties in the state in September 2019.
In May 2019, Union County law enforcement agencies pooled their resources for a second week-long Operation Helping Hand session, during which approximately 88 percent of the 148 people contacted through the program agreed to engage in some form of rehabilitative assistance. Of the individuals who accepted help, 56 were entered into inpatient detox treatment, 43 entered intensive outpatient or community-based support program, and 29 entered medically assisted treatment. Remarkably, included in those accepting help at the time were 25 “walk-ins” – drug users who were not arrested, but had heard about the program through word of mouth and approached law enforcement for recovery assistance.
The statewide expansion of Operation Helping Hand has been fueled in part by $1 million in federal funding and $2.2 million in state funding dedicated during the last two years alone. This is, however, the first anywhere that the program has been implemented full time.
“This initiative has shown and will continue to show a commitment on the part of our county to leverage every opportunity to connect individuals struggling with addiction to a life of recovery,” Thompson said. “For some, this may be the first time they are ever offered help.” Thompson and Prevention Links have been a Union County partner in Operation Helping Hand from its inception.
The expansion of Operation Helping Hand to the new 24/7/365 model is one of many ways that law enforcement is working to address the opioid epidemic in Union County. Earlier this year, Prosecutor Ruotolo formed the Opioid Task Force, which operates out of the Major Crimes Division of the Prosecutor’s Office, and tasked it with helping persons suffering from opioid addiction get the help necessary to address their disease, while also aggressively investigating those profiting from the sale of heroin and the deadly fentanyl.
In 2017, the Community Law Enforcement Addiction Recovery (CLEAR) program was launched, sponsored by the Union County Board of Freeholders, Union County Sheriff’s Office, Union County Prosecutor’s Office, and Union County Police Department. Through the program, citizens seeking help can travel to one of two locations – the Union County Sheriff’s Office in the New Annex Courthouse basement level, 27 Elizabethtown Plaza in Elizabeth, and the Union County Police Department headquarters, 300 North Ave. E., Westfield – anytime from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays, where they can be connected to addiction recovery services free of charge and turn over user-level quantities of drugs and paraphernalia without fear of arrest, prosecution, or questioning. These services will continue, and Operation Helping Hand 24/7/365 is an expansion of these innovative efforts.
In addition, since 2014, patrol officers countywide have been equipped with supplies of naloxone, a lifesaving overdose-reversal drug. Since that time, police have deployed the drug more than 1,000 times, with more than 90 percent of recipients surviving.
The Union County Sheriff’s office will be hosting a free, Children’s Coloring/Activity Book competition for the Spring of 2020. High School students will be eligible to create a child’s coloring/activity book that centers around one the following topics: Bullying and/or Cyberbullying, Internet Safety, Police Officers are Your Friends, Traffic Safety, Personal Safety, Drug Safety or Weapon Safety.
“This program provides a tremendous opportunity for high school students to use their creativity and impart valuable information to younger students,” said Union County Sheriff Peter Corvelli.
The competition is open to High School students only. High Schools will be eligible to submit as many applications to the competition as they wish. The book content must be appropriate for students aged Kindergarten through 5th grade. One winner will be chosen from each submitted topic. The winning books will be published and distributed throughout Union County community events starting this summer.
Registration forms to enter the competition must be submitted by February 14, 2020 with all entries in the competition to be submitted by May 8, 2020. The registration form can be filled out online at https://ucnj.org/sheriff/childrens-coloring-and-activity-book-competition/. Entries must be submitted via email in a PDF format to thalpin@ucnj.org, as well as mailed in a printed copy to:
Union County Sheriff’s Office c/o Tara Halpin
10 Elizabethtown Plaza
Elizabeth, NJ 07207
Interested students and residents can learn more about the contest, rules for book entries, and details on the prospective topics at https://ucnj.org/sheriff/childrens-coloring-and-activity-book-competition/, or by contacting Sergeant Tara Halpin at 908-527-4032 or thalpin@ucnj.org.
Union County Sheriff Peter Corvelli joined Undersheriff Dennis Burke in congratulating the Sheriff’s officers who participated in No Shave November and raised $7,820 for The New Jersey Veterans Network, The Prostate Cancer Foundation and the Union County Sheriff’s Officers Tree of Hope. No Shave November challenges participants to forgo shaving for the month in order to raise money for charity. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)
At 8:30 a.m. today, the staff at one of the Union County Vocational-Technical schools received information with regard to a potential threat to one of our Vo-Tech schools. The one particular school which was mentioned in the text was immediately placed in lockdown and the additional schools on campus were put in a shelter-in-place. A Sheriff’s Officer, along with an officer from the Union County Police Department who were already on scene, took control of the situation. Additional units from surrounding agencies responded as well to ensure the well-being of all campus students and staff.
An investigation was immediately started and a person of interest was identified. Officers on scene continued their investigation which included a sweep of the premises utilizing the Union County Sheriff’s K-9 unit. A short time thereafter, officers and investigators deemed the threat not credible and it was at this time that the lockdown was lifted at the one school and the shelter in place at the remaining schools was also lifted.
We as a law enforcement community are thankful for the initial reporting of the incident and also encourage individuals if they see or hear something to say something. I am also thankful for the quick response of our law enforcement partners which help keep our community safe day in and day out.
Lastly, I would like to thank the parents and guardians of all students involved for having the patience and understanding during this incident and for placing your trust in us for the safekeeping of your most prized possession, your children.
Peter Corvelli
Union County Sheriff
Union County Freeholder Angela Garretson, Freeholder Sergio Granados, Union County Sheriff Peter Corvelli, Union County Manager Ed Oatman, Deputy County Manager Amy Wagner and county employees joined Rabbi Mordechai Kanelsky and representatives from Bris Avrohom of Hillside to light the menorahs in Phil Rizzuto Park, the Union County Courthouse and the County Administration Building in Elizabeth in celebration of Chanukah. (Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union)
Union County Sheriff’s Office K9 Caesar will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Caesar’s vest is sponsored by Dr. Julie Tropeano of Lincroft, NJ and will be embroidered with the sentiment “In memory of Mark Hratko”. Delivery is expected within eight to ten weeks.
K9 Caesar is a 2yr old German Shepard, who is certified in patrol and narcotics work and is partnered with Officer Nelson Agurto. Caesar became a member of the Union County Sheriff’s Office in May 2018, began his formal police training in July 2018 and successfully completed training with Officer Agurto in December 2018.
The Union County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Search and Rescue Unit was formed in 1983 and has provided assistance to County and regional law enforcement agencies for over thirty-five years. UCSO is home to a regional K9 training academy that has graduated nearly 1000 K9-handler teams in patrol, scent and explosives detection certification. The Unit provides services to all law enforcement agencies in Union County, is a member of the NJ Detect and Render Safe Task Force and regularly assists various Federal agencies in support of their law enforcement efforts. The UCSO K9 Unit additionally served with distinction in the aftermath of the attacks on 9/11/01, searching at Ground Zero.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c (3) charity located in East Taunton, MA whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. The non-profit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their four-legged K9 officers. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provided over 3,500 U.S. made, custom fitted, NIJ certified protective vests, in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a value of $6.9 million dollars.
The program is open to dogs actively employed in the U.S. with law enforcement or related agencies who are certified and at least 20 months of age. New K9 graduates, as well as K9s with expired vests, are eligible to participate.
The donation to provide one protective vest for a law enforcement K9 is $950.00. Each vest has a value between $1,744 – $2,283 and a five-year warranty, and an average weight of 4-5 lbs. There is an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States. For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts tax-deductible donations of any denomination at www.vik9s.org or mailed to P.O. Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718.
Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Alexander Mirabella and Freeholder Sergio Granados this morning joined Union County Sheriff Peter Corvelli in congratulating the winners of the Union County Sheriff’s Office 9th Annual Pistol Competition at the Sheriff’s range in Springfield. Officer Richard Brattole of the Union County Sheriff’s Office won first place. Sgt. Sean Dougherty of the Union County Police Department took second place. Lt. Carlo Caparruva of the Union County Sheriff’s Office took third place. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)
Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella and State Senator Nicholas P. Scutari today joined with members of the various chapters of UNICO District X in holding the 11th Annual Union County Columbus Day Flag Raising event today in Elizabeth. Mirabella and Scutari, the keynote, were among a card of speakers that included Union County Surrogate James LaCorte, Freeholder Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded, and Anthony Bengivenga, the UNICO District X Governor, which represents 8 chapters in Union County.
Bob Bengivenga, the President of Plainfields Unico, led the UNICO prayer. Sheriff Peter Corvelli led the Pledge of Allegiance and the posting of the colors, and Marie Oakie sang “God Bless America.” Others in attendance included Freeholder Sergio Granados, Freeholder Angel Estrada, County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi, Acting Prosecutor Lyndsay Ruotolo, Mountainside Mayor Paul Mirabelli, County Manager Ed Oatman, Deputy County Manager Amy Crisp Wagner, Elizabeth Board of Education members Nathalie Hernandez and Charlene Bathelu
Union County Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski and Freeholders Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded, Andrea Staten and Rebecca Williams joined Union County Deputy County Manager Amy Wagner, Union County Office of Veteran Services Coordinator Janna Williams (USAF), Union County Sheriff’s Captain George Kurz (USAF) and Michael Hrycak (LTC, USA, Ret.) at the 2nd Annual Union County Networking Mixer for all military veterans and active duty personnel, their families, and veterans’ service providers at the Clubhouse at Galloping Hill Golf Course in Kenilworth.
The event was coordinated through the Union County Office of Veteran Services UC-HERO program. For more information about services contact the Office of Veteran Services Coordinator Janna Williams by phone at 908-527-4918, or email at jwilliams@ucnj.org. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)