AVALON –– Officials deemed beaches safe to reopen Aug. 27 but continue to monitor the north end beaches where medical debris washed ashore over four days.
On Aug. 23, about 150 pieces were collected; during the afternoon of Aug. 24 about 25 pieces were collected; the morning of Aug. 25 eight pieces were collected and Aug. 26 about 20 more pieces were collected. As pieces were found the areas were evacuated, inspected and reopened.
A little before 3:30 p.m. Aug. 26, after the Herald’s print deadline, two needles were found on the 15th and 18th Street beaches. Though the debris field for Tuesday afternoon’s wash up was reported to be in only a five-block area, from 15th Street south to 20th Street, as a precaution beaches were closed from 14th to 22nd streets.
All debris found are similar: IV–type needles, plastic caps, and eight- inch long cotton swabs. There has been no reported human contact with any of the medical debris recovered, and no reported injuries. Public Relations Official Scott Wahl said it’s uncertain whether the medical debris is used.
All beaches opened this morning after emergency management officials, public works employees, and volunteers conducted evening and morning sweeps of the shoreline from Ninth to 32nd streets with no further findings.
Sand between 14th Street and 22nd Street was sifted Aug. 26 to see if any medical debris was below the sand’s surface.
“Once again, safety comes first when it comes to reopening our beaches,” said Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi in an Aug. 27 release.
“We do not give any consideration to reopening a beach unless that beach goes through at least two tide events, and at least two very careful inspections of the beach occur. Less than ten percent of Avalon’s entire beach front was affected by Tuesday’s event.”
The investigation into this incident is being handled by the state Attorney General’s Office, who is treating the case as a criminal investigation, which is ongoing.
Lifeguards, EMTs, fire department volunteers, Public Works officials and Cape May County Emergency Management Coordinator Frank McCall were on the scene, lending assistance along with the Cape May County Health Department.
“I want to commend the residents and vacationers in Avalon for being supportive of the Borough’s proactive approach when it comes to safety along our beaches,” Pagliughi said. “It’s fortunate that they understand and appreciate that we’ll only open a closed beach if we’re certain it is 100 percent safe.”
All reported items were immediately collected from the beach, and turned over to the Avalon Police Department. The items are being turned over to an investigative team with the New Jersey State Attorney General’s office, the lead agency handling this incident. This four-day event continues to be treated as a criminal investigation by state authorities.
Contact Truluck at (609) 886-8600 ext. 24 or at: ltruluck @cmcherald.com.
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
