Sat, 08/23/2008 - 5:12pm

Interesting....I would think that someone up at 2:24 AM posting to this sight, would be the person who needs to get a life!

Sat, 08/23/2008 - 2:24am

i think all you cops and city officials need to grow up and set an example for the kids not to be ignorant and shallow.all polititions and cops all have a special sweet in hell waiting for you. you all need to get lives.***

Thu, 08/21/2008 - 7:11am

Mike Beck, worked in a high crime area, "not the highest" by far. And he eventually got scared and requested he be transferred off the streets, hence the Police Academy. I really love these seniors that are counting the pennys and see Beck as there savior. Hell they can buy an extra 12 pack now.......people you will see the product of beck/lare and I will be giggleing my butt off listening to you whine !!!! Good luck

Wed, 08/20/2008 - 11:53pm

Douglass for Mayor...what a JOKE! Mike Beck's the only viable candidate...he may not be the best choice, but he's the only choice in this election.

Wed, 08/20/2008 - 1:47pm

Yep we need a lot more cops to watch all the new Camers. Now we need more citizens to watch the cops watching us. Make sure you show the new cops the U.S. Constitution the old ones don't know what it is!

Wed, 08/20/2008 - 12:54pm

Most of these posting must be from Police Officers and/or family members. They have gotten such a sweet deal with the current Manager, Mayor and Council. They know that only a retired police officer whether it be Beck or Roach can see right through the fear tactics and look at the "Real" statistics. They wouldn't be attacking if they didn't have anything to hide. Transparent Government would be refreshing for Lower Township.

Wed, 08/20/2008 - 8:16am

We want as many police as Middle.......................................whine.
We want more pay.................................................................whine.
We want more Superior Officers...........................................whine.
We want more vehicles...........................................................whine.
We want to take them home....................................................whine.
We want the West Cape May Police contract.........................whine.

Want some cheese with all that whine?

Wed, 08/20/2008 - 6:10am

The comment at 3:57 is funny because Mike Beck is 1. ateacher, 2. a retired police lieutenant who worked in a high crime, urban area, and 3. aformer little league coach. Really, I would be willing to bet the people, a certain few, who are upset by his campaign are those who live "high on the hog" at taxpayer's expense and are afraid the gravy train will be derailed. That's too bad because as a senior, I live on a fixed income and some things are going to change, whether they like it or not.

Wed, 08/20/2008 - 5:14am

First of all...when a cop pulls over a vehicle, other officers respond for back-up. Once it is known that the officer is ok and back-up is not needed, the other officers clear. There are many times where this does not happen and the stop is handled by one officer. You are making this statement based on the one time you were pulled over. That's not a fair statement. As for Dave Douglass...he gave his life for this low crme community! The crime was even lower back then! They say officers don't get paid for what they do, they get paid for what they might have to do! Officer Douglass paid the ultimate price and his friends and family are still paying. So enough of this BS that cops get paid to much and they have to much down time and they're not supervised enough! They are men who busted their buts in an academy for 23 weeks to protect you and your family. Show a littlle bit of respect.

Tue, 08/19/2008 - 9:01pm

People, open your eyes. The Villas, along with other parts of lower township, are getting worse by the day. Car and house burglaries, domestics, drug activity, sexual assaults, drug overdoses, oh and the latest, setting an off duty officer's vehicle on fire as well as the police department's traffic jeep, are being seen on a daily basis. These criminals need to be stop and by voting for Beck things will only get worse.

OH and MIKE BECK, WHEN YOU COMPLAIN ABOUT KIDS BEING IN THE PARK AFTER 9:00PM, IT WILL PROBABLY TAKE 20 MINUTES FOR A OFFICER TO RESPOND FOR YOUR NUSSIACE CALL AFTER FIRING MORE OFFICERS. I have a scanner and maybe all you people voting for Beck will see that these fine underpaid police officers are running constantly from call to call... Its your choose people, VOTE FOR DOUGLASS

Tue, 08/19/2008 - 3:57pm

A vote for Beck is equivalent to being:

ANTI -LAW ENFORCEMENT
ANTI -EDUCATION
ANTI-RECREATION
ANTI- LOWER TOWNSHIP

Tue, 08/19/2008 - 1:18pm

They shouldn't have any unsupervised time with as many supervisors they have.

Tue, 08/19/2008 - 1:14pm

Ahh, look who posted a comment, 08-19-2008 @ 10:32 am......Its Mike Beck !!!!

Tue, 08/19/2008 - 10:32am

The police officers posting on this article appear to be very worried about Mike Beck winning the election. Everyone knows that Mike doesn’t hate anyone. Mike is a hard-working, dedicated person who will do the best job he can for the people of lower township and will expect the same from all township employees. Maybe that’s one reason the police are worried. They have too much unsupervised time on their hands.

Mon, 08/18/2008 - 7:56pm

Isn't there a height requirement to be chief?

Mon, 08/18/2008 - 2:49pm

The worst week in the summer might average 130 calls. In the winter the average number of calls run in the 80 to 100 range. Does this number include the 911 calls the police initiate themselves for service? I agree with the first spouter. The normal staffing should be for the winter volume and add more summer help. Who cares what the staffing is in the other towns?

Mon, 08/18/2008 - 1:03pm

Apparently there is no spelling test to become chief. If you were referring to an article of clothing the correct spelling is wear not where.

Mon, 08/18/2008 - 12:54pm

In response to Sun, 8/17/2008 - 1:15pm, I have known Mike Beck for many years and want to tell you that Mike worked in the 39th police district as a rookie cop, then as a commander. The 39th district comprises Connie Mack Stadium and is the highest crime zone in the city. The 39th district makes the Villas look like Beverly Hills. Mike was given the City of Philadelphia’s highest award for heroism. This police department presents awards because officers can complete their paperwork.

Mon, 08/18/2008 - 12:52pm

The police department had the same number of police officers when Mike Beck left office as the department had when he became a member of Council, even though the population of lower township decreased by 11% and crime decreased (visit the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General web site, division of law and public safety and look at the uniform crime reports). It was the prior Council members who realized we had too many cops.

Mon, 08/18/2008 - 11:50am

to 1:15 Have you driven through the township recently? We are in a war zone. Some how the drones keep multiplying. Every year it is getting worse. If you have been here for a while then you might remember when you didn't worry if your car was locked at night or if you forgot to close your windows. Now we have to double and triple check that everything is locked at night because of the trash that has migrated here. I think Chief Donahue is doing the best that he can and we do need more police on the streets.

Mon, 08/18/2008 - 9:40am

To 8/17/08 @5:04PM
Why did you have to bring Dave Douglas's death into this blog??
Your Comments are hurtful and uncalled for!
So the following assumption can be made.
*
1) you don't like cops
2) you didn't like Dave Douglass
3) you moved here from another area
4) you probably complain about everything
5) and you can't be a Christian because you would not have written that
6) you read this paper online and complain about every thing you read
7) you will vote for Mike Beck and cutting the police
8) your taxes went up in the recent tax reevaluation
9) you are probably a member of the Lower Township Taxpayers Association
10) I can't print number 10 !!! The herald Staff wouldn't allow it. But just imagine all of the
anger that everyone in this town has toward you that Dave affected.
I hope you can sleep at night!

Mon, 08/18/2008 - 9:25am

Here's The Bottom Line People;
Every negative blog/thread in these posts are posted by Mike Beck, The Lower Township Taxpayers Association or the ex Twsp Manager. The LTTA association is an organization of about 10 people who are angry that their taxes went up because they own half million dollar homes on the beach front.
Mr. Beck is a retired Philadelphia cop who has an ax to grind against the Lower Township Police because he thinks they get paid too much and their pensions are too high. What Mr. Beck fails to tell everyone is that Lower Police are at the bottom of the ladder when compared to other police salaries in Cape May County. Part of his campaign lecture blames the Pensions for higher taxers. What he fails to tell everyone is that the reason why the pension bills are high is because Beck and Mr. Starner failed to pay into the pension system years ago because the state pension system was so lucrative. They said "You Don't Have To Pay This Year...but You Have To Pay Double Next Year" so they didn't pay it. This went on for six years. That's how they were able to get by with no tax increases for us. FOR SIX YEARS THEY DID NOT PAY INTO THE PENSION SYSTEM. NOW THE PAYMENT IS DO !! AND IT WAS BECK WHO SCREWED IT UP PEOPLE !! He doesn't need another chance to make it right. He Hates The Lower Police. It Is Part of his Campaign Plan to cut 20% of the department by attrition. So when a cop retires he will not replace them. In the next four years Lower will be losing 8 officers.
And for the third one. Beck along with Mazurick want to bring back the "Unqualified One" . Joe Jackson is the most qualified Township Manager this Township has ever had. He has stood up to petty crap from the LTTA (of which the Unqualified one is backed by).
So here's the bottom line. Beck plus LTTA plus the unqualified one equals; cuts in police, recreation,road department, trash. CUTS IN YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE.

Sun, 08/17/2008 - 7:38pm

The problem I have with the Chief's position is that he never supports his request with factual data, he just continously requests more staff based on fear tactics. He should be displaying facts with his requests. One example is that there are mathmatical formulas that have been developed that area used for such information. They are called shift releif factors. One example which seems to support or not support his claim is one that calculates the numbers of calls per day and how long they take for each officer to handle. If they average 130 calls per day and each call averages 20 minutes per officer that would equal 2,600 minutes per day needed to handle the call volume. LTPD seems to have 6 or 7 officers on per 12 hour shift. That means each officer works 720 minutes per shift. Times 720 by 12 officers (2 shifts worth) for a 24 hour period, that equals 8,640 minutes per 24 hour period (1 day) of work time. 8,640 minutes of work time minus 2,600 minutes per call average per day that leaves the police 6,040 minutes of time for the officers to patrol our streets, take breaks or even have sex while on duty. Lets put some facts with the request, that way everyone can make an informed decision.

Sun, 08/17/2008 - 5:04pm

To 1:15 - Officer Douglas was shot and killed on 1994 (when the number of officers was highest). Come on, let's stop the fear mongering. This is a small town - you make it sound like we're living in a war zone.

Sun, 08/17/2008 - 4:35pm

The LTPD is by no means top heavy. Some PD's in CMC have (1) Lieutenant and
(2) Sergeant's assigned to each squad.

And as I understand it Lower's Chief requires his Command Staff to work peak hours during the nihgt shift as well. A Staff Officer must attend Roll Call then be available to
monitor Radio Transmission's and respond to calls (with Patrol Officers on the Street)
from 3PM through 11PM every night.

The Police Chief himself already has a reputation for Backing Up his Patrol Officer's on
High Risk Calls.

Why dont you ask the local Drug Dealer's and the people at the Sweet Briar Motel how they think the LTPD is being managed.

Sun, 08/17/2008 - 2:35pm

to 3:13 AM post of the LTTA President----so what you're saying is that the Chief, when asked to make a presentation to a group such as the Chamber of Commerce, shouldn't where his uniform if the establishment...ie Henry's, the Lobster House, Lucky Bones etc etc etc, serves liquor? What an idiotic position and statement to make! No wonder the LTTA is the laughing stock of the Township!

Sun, 08/17/2008 - 1:59pm

And I thought there were crazies in Cape May. You people in Lower want to reduce your public SAFETY, simply because you want to save a few pennies on your taxes. You should compare some other towns with your own, and then you would find out how far behind you all are over there. But hey, it's your ass or your family's ass thats on the line when something unexpected happens. So if you can sleep at night after that tragedy, go for it. Cut your police protection and you'll be able to buy a case of beer with your savings.

Sun, 08/17/2008 - 1:15pm

Maybe if there were more Officers back in 1995 Dave Douglass would still be alive today. Who knows. Maybe there would have been that one extra Officer on the scene that made that scumbag give up instead of running and shooting like a coward. Just maybe no one would have had to go and tell his family what happened and he would have continued to serve his community which is more than what I think some of you can say for yourselves. I don't know and we'll never know for sure but Maybe. What do you think Mike? You probably wouldn't know. You were never a real street cop, were you?

Sun, 08/17/2008 - 9:01am

God Bless Mike Beck. I can't wait until he is Mayor.
Can you imagine what our taxes would be today if he did not cut the extra police positions back in 1995 a previous Mayor created to get elected? It will be nice to have a Mayor that cares more about the people than the party, politics or creating new jobs for the chosen and really controls spending. He is a shoe in to win the election. The people know either party only cares about what is good for the party.

Sun, 08/17/2008 - 4:45am

Mike Beck did not get elected to council until 1998 and took office in 1999. He absolutely did not reduce the size of the police department. The numbers were reduced prior to this but truthfully that 53 total tossed about included people on terminal leave and their replacements still in the police academy. It also included a sergeant whose entire job consisted of dispensing uniforms. He was replaced by a clerk.You can play the "fear" card all you want but you presently have all the police officers needed in Lower Township.

Sun, 08/17/2008 - 3:13am

I would like to know if it is okay if Chief Donohues Officers are now allowed to enter liquor establishments while on duty to patronize since obviously he can. Well Chief?

Sat, 08/16/2008 - 10:40pm

I LIKE MIKE....I like the idea of a reduction in our Police Dept
I like the idea that he'll take away cars
I like that he'll tie the hands of our Police Officers
I like that he'll make my job easier

signed
John Q Criminal

Sat, 08/16/2008 - 3:03pm

In 1995 the Lower Township Police department had 53 sworn Officers.

Guess who helped cut that number down to 45 when he was on Twp council ?

Yep.......... MIKE BECK - after he took their cars away.

and now he wants to do it again.

Sat, 08/16/2008 - 11:34am

Middle Township should reduce our police department by 6 sworn officers. Obviously we are overstaffed compared to Lower Township.

Fri, 08/15/2008 - 7:57pm

If the Chief needs more officers on the street for calls, maybe we shouldn't have as many Superior Officers and Detectives. If there was better management I'm sure there wouldn't be an issue of coverage. These poor patrolman are suffering while most Officers are having breakfast or lunch on Police time. Give these poor men a break and put some experienced policemen on the street with them, everyone would benefit.

Fri, 08/15/2008 - 7:11pm

I don't think comparing Lower's Police Dept to only one other department is enough justification for a personnel increase. Maybe Middle Township is overstaffed. I think in order to determine if the need is truly there, Lower should be compared to similar departments in other areas of New Jersey and in other states (if those numbers are available.) How many calls (on average) do officers in other departments handle in a normal shift? If you take the numbers that were provided by the chief (130 calls per day) and divide that by the number of officers that are available (46 less those that are out sick or on vacation) you can then draw a comparison with other departments that would help to show whether there is truly a need or not. All companies and departments, whether they are government or private sector, need to make sure that additional personnel are absolutely necessary before authority to increase staff (and therefore cost) is granted.

Fri, 08/15/2008 - 6:57pm

The number of calls may be over a 100 a day during the summer - but not in the off-season. Just check the old articles here on the Herald's web site. Maybe the police department should look into hiring some summer help instead of full-time employees that require benefits. Maybe just have 1 police car present when issuing a traffic ticket. This is the only place I've ever lived where there's always 2 or 3 police cars when someone is pulled over.