Activists: Jobs, programs needed for city's youth

Activists: Jobs, programs needed for city’s youth
Residents tell council: Recreation programs are not enough
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
Ajobs initiative and other programs for city youths are lacking in Long Branch, a group of concerned citizens told the City Council last week.

Speaking in turn, members of the ad hoc community group made their points for over an hour during the public participation portion of the July 27 council meeting.

Many of the speakers told the council and city administration that more interaction between the police and residents is needed to resolve certain problems within the community.

“When I was 14 years old, I knew who the police officers were, I had their respect,” resident John Rogers said. “The problem in our community is, there is no respect.

“We need to find solutions for our kids, whether it be vocational programs or some kind of programs where the kids can interact. We need to come up with more.”

Rogers went on to praise the city’s recreation department but said there is little available for children over age 16.

Daryl Coleman followed Rogers by saying that the city has nice parks but needs more indoor activities.

“I just feel as a community member we can do more together,” he said. “Long Branch has more kids walking the streets than any other place besides Asbury Park.

“I don’t want my kid out there in 100- degree weather,” he added. “They have nowhere to go.”

Coleman suggested the city strike a deal to use the schools.

“You can open up the school one day a week and bring whatever security you need,” he said. “I’ll go up there and [perform] the janitor’s cleanup.”

Resident Jonathon Matthews spoke about programs needed other than sports for minority children.

“We have to try to find jobs or mentoring programs,” he said. “How many African Americans or Mexicans actually work at the beach?”

Long Branch Councilwoman Joy Bastelli, who founded United Neighbors, a community group, said in an interview after the meeting that there are options for programs.

“I thought they had valid concerns, and I was trying to help them connect with the resources that are already available,” she said. “They would like the children to interact with the police officers, and for that, we have the National Night Out Against Crime.

“That night was specifically designed for that particular purpose, so children and adults could interact with the police officers in a friendly environment.”

Bastelli also cited the Long Branch Free Public Library programs, and mentoring by Red Bank-based Aslan Youth Ministries. She said she is going to look into finding out more about jobs programs.

Matthews also said the city should find a way to disseminate information about programs other than the Internet, to which Bastelli responded that this is already being done.

“National Night Out, there are physical signs and banners announcing it,” she said. “Anytime a person without a computer would like to access computers, they can do that right at the library with free Internet access.”

Stephen Worsley, who recently formed a partnership with his nonprofit organization Kingdom Fighters Gear-Up and the Long Branch Public Library to start a jobs program, also spoke about employment issues.

“It’s not just recreation, but it’s also employment,” he said. “We had million-dollar construction built within the city, and the people of the community had no part of it.

“Kids make mistakes and then they can’t get employment. It is up to us to create ways for them to have employment.

“The children are our future, and we are losing our future to the streets,” he added. “We need to come up with something to save our kids.”

Long Branch Mayor Adam Schneider defended the city from a statement from a resident that Pier Village employs very few Long Branch residents.

“Most of our employees live in Long Branch,” he said. “I don’t agree with that; I don’t think it could be less accurate.

“I know the jobs that I do control, which is City Hall, a very high percentage come from Long Branch. What I’m trying to do right now because of budget concerns is avoid layoffs.”

Rosella Coleman spoke about violence within the city.

“The last child that was killed out here, that could have been my son,” she said. “Our youth have nothing, our youth have nowhere to go.

“We need help so our kids don’t keep dying,” she said. “I don’t mean that we should just throw a basketball or recreation at our kids.

“I want some tutoring, some mentoring, something where they can have some self-esteem about themselves. I don’t want it to just be about sports. Our community needs help, and we are coming to you for that.”

Long Branch Director of Public Safety Al Muolo said the police share the concerns of the citizens.

“These concerns are not restricted to our city alone but are echoed statewide,” he said in an email. “As a police agency, I feel that we offer several excellent programs for young people to get involved with.”

Muolo went on to name some of the programs.

“Throughout the year, PAL boxing, and the Police Explorers are available,” he said. “During the school year ‘GREAT’ [Gang Resistance Education and Training] and DARE [Drug Abuse Resistance Training] are provided in conjunction with the Long Branch school system.

“These programs provide an opportunity for young people and the police to get together on a social basis, rather than when we are responding to calls.”

Muolo also cited a pro-active Juvenile Division, the newly opened Bucky James Community Center, the recreation department, and the jobs offered on the beaches.

Muolo also responded to concerns about violence in the city.

“We unfortunately suffered a recent murder of a young man, which is always tragic, but this was not a random act of violence,” he said. “It can be characterized as an isolated incident.

“Our police agency is always attempting to improve itself, and all in all I truly believe we are doing a good job,” he added. “As with any city, there is always room for improvement, but I’m confident the city is heading in the right direction.”

While many different topics were discussed at the meeting, Bastelli commended the group for how they handled their concerns.

“I was pleased with the meeting. I was pleased to see residents come out and voice their concerns in a respectful way,” she said.







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