Prosecutor’s Office Boat Grant Approved

CREST HAVEN – “Ask and ye shall receive.” The Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office applied that biblical principle and received a $264,596 federal grant that will, along with $88,198 in forfeited funds, buy a boat to enhance port security in Cape May Harbor and around the Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminal.
Freeholders approved a resolution Sept. 22 to accept the award from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency under the 2015 Port Security Grant Program.
The forfeited funds are from the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office which seizes currency from illegal activities, such as drug selling when arrests are made.
First reported here after the May 12 approval by the board for County Prosecutor Robert Taylor to proceed with the application for a 29-foot boat, Taylor reiterated there would be no cost to taxpayers, because of the grant and use of forfeited funds.
The proposal previously won backing from the Cape May County Chiefs of Police Association, Taylor said.
Procurement of the vessel will lead to the formation of a Maritime Security and Response Unit to “provide supplemental and added security to the Cape May-Lewes Ferry and to prevent, mitigate and respond to critical incidents that occur in the Port of Cape May and on the waters surrounding the county,” according to the resolution.
The trailered aluminum vessel will have a 30-year life and will serve a variety of purposes, including firefighting, said Taylor. It will also be used on joint patrols to assist the Coast Guard, N.J. Marine Police, and Delaware River and Bay Authority.
In other action the board:
Urged the state to protect fiscally solvent local pension systems.
Appointed Susan Wallace as a member of the Cultural and Heritage Commission for five years expiring Sept. 22, 2020.
Designated Oct. 9 as Food Day in Cape May County with a celebration set at Rutgers Cooperative Extension Office. Focus of the day will be promotion of safer, healthier diets, as well as supporting sustainable family farms and local agriculture.
Approved change order for $9,000 to Adams, Rehmann, Heggan and Associates, Inc. for upgrades permitting for the new Correctional Center.
Awarded $5.2-million contract to South State Inc. for Ocean Drive (CR 619) for repair of damage from Superstorm Sandy in Avalon from Fourth Avenue to Townsend’s Inlet Bridge.
Approved resolution for county to participate in a grant application to the U.S. Economic Development Authority to “enhance opportunities for entrepreneurs and innovators in the UAS (drone) industry at the Cape May County Airport.”