DENNISVILLE – Dennis Township Committee met Nov. 1 with an unusually large number of residents and others representing a variety of local organizations.
Their rationale for attending was to express concern and frustration at the incidence of “hooliganism” which has overtaken the township per a series of statements during the public portion of the meeting.
The first order of business was to approve items on the consent agenda which members did unanimously.
Among these was a resolution authorizing the temporary/part-time 120-day appointment of an electrical sub-code official.
Another resolution authorized a professional service contract for Armando Riccio as special counsel on behalf of the township to review its employee handbook.
The substance of the meeting, however, took place during public comment when numerous citizens aired worries about the behavior of a group of boys, ages 7-14, who have inflicted property damage and caused safety concerns by their unsupervised behavior.
Comments and discussion lasted for almost one hour as individuals stepped forward to relate their experiences, all requesting anonymity because of their fear of those boys’ retaliation as had occurred in the past.
“November of last year our township experienced vandalism to our Christmas tree. We are now getting ready for Christmas 2016 and we as a community have real worries that this group of boys will cause serious trouble,” said one resident.
“I was in the post office the other day and almost backed into these hoodlums because they simply don’t care where they ride their bikes; the fact they are causing safety problems for themselves as well as drivers,” said another.
“From 3 p.m. until dark, the village is not safe. They have damaged all the handicapped ramps as well as threaten anyone who says anything to them and their parents simply don’t seem to care,” said another Dennis property owner.
“The purpose of our government is to ensure our safety, and we are all fed up with the lack of consequences, their total lack of respect, the insults, disregard for the law and frequently their retaliation if they hear who complained to the State Police,” stated another homeowner.
Deputy Mayor Brian O’Connor, who chaired this meeting in the absence of Mayor John Murphy, said prior meetings with the State Police, while cordial, have not seemed to produce a solution.
A state trooper who attended the meeting sought to put the Barracks’ mission and actions into the context of finding a resolution, but residents averred that much more needed to be done.
During the meeting, discussion ensued about potentially bringing the juvenile perpetrators to court, whether Municipal Court for their actions in driving motor vehicles (mopeds) with no license and to Juvenile Court for criminal mischief and trespassing.
“We need to have the parents understand that they will be held liable for fines associated with this type of behavior by their children,” said O’Connor.
The meeting concluded with committee and representatives of those attending and speaking for all Dennis organizations setting a date to meet with State Police on next steps.
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.
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