Concerns continue over crime, safety in city

Concerns continue over crime, safety in city
Neighbors ask for better lighting, police presence
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer
For the second time this summer, a group of citizens has stepped forward with concerns about issues of safety and crime in Long Branch.

Three residents stood up during the public portion of the Aug. 24 City Council meeting representing their West End neighborhood and the problems they say they have experienced in recent years.

Hildred Woolley presented the council with a list of three recommendations aimed at improving conditions leading to what she said has been a rash of police activity in the neighborhood centering around the apartment building at 559 Second Ave. on the corner of Second Avenue and Passey Gardens.

Woolley’s recommendations include increased lighting in the area, stricter code enforcement by the city, and an increased police presence.

“We, the residents of this neighborhood, want the city of Long Branch to help and support us in returning this area to a safe community,” she said. “We request that the city address these issues.

“We believe adequate street lighting and more police presence will help turn away criminal activity.”

Woolley cited numerous recent incidents that allegedly occurred around the apartment complex, including an Aug. 21 shooting, tires stolen from a parked car, a man loitering in the early morning in the apartment laundry room, occupied cars parked in different driveways, and one neighbor being followed home.

Woolley also gave statistics on the number of police calls made from the apartment complex, claiming that between December 2002 and October 2008 there were 76 calls made to the police. In contrast, she said that between January 2009 and August 2010 there were 66 calls made to the police.

“We are aware of the situation and are actively taking all necessary actions to address each concern,” Long Branch Director of Public Safety Alphonse Muolo said in an email on Monday.

Detective Sgt. Jeffrey Pilone confirmed Monday that a shooting did take place in the neighborhood but declined to comment further because it is an ongoing investigation.

Woolley also said that much of the neighborhood’s problems began when a new company took over the apartment building in October 2008.

“After these apartments were acquired by [Sea West Apartments LLC], the quality of the surrounding area deteriorated considerably, adversely affecting the quality of life in the neighborhood,” she said.

Woolley said that in order to improve the lighting on the corner of Second and Passey, the city must contact Jersey Central Power & Light Co., since they won’t take requests from private citizens.

She also explained why there is a need for stricter code enforcement.

“The area, or the building and the surrounding grounds, are not properly maintained,” Woolley said. “The deterioration of the building and grounds has impacted the value of the surrounding homes.

“We are asking [that] a code enforcer inspect this property and require that the owner make repairs in compliance with the code of Long Branch.”

Some of the problems Woolley cited are broken gutters, loose garbage around the premises, and window air conditioning units that are not compliant with the city code.

Woolley described a few of the other problems.

“We are constantly subjected to a barrage of obscene yelling coming from the apartments,” she said, also alleging that evidence of drug paraphernalia has been found.

A spokeswoman for Sea West Apartments, the complex management, declined to identify herself but said Monday that the allegations about criminal activity and deteriorating conditions at the complex are untrue.

Maxine Greenwald followed Woolley and also described what she said has happened to the neighborhood.

“Two years ago the ambiance of the neighborhood changed significantly,” she said. “We have been blessed with 14 grandchildren, and we are frightened to let them even walk the dog in the early evening.

“The quality of our life has changed; we are very much frightened for the security of our neighborhood.”

Greenwald also said that she worries the problems in the apartment complex will bring down the property value of some of the surrounding houses.

Also addressing council was Carol Hammer, who claims to be the neighborhood’s longest-term resident.

“I’m the longest resident of that street, and I always felt very safe there,” she said. “I no longer do, and the neighborhood is really in trouble.

“It is just a real problem when you see a neighborhood that you love so much changing.”

Councilman Michael Sirianni said that the concerns expressed would be looked into and taken seriously.

“I want to thank the concerned residents who came forward with this,” he said. “This is what we need; we appreciate this.

“Your presentation was great. Your concerns did not fall on deaf ears,” he added. “This matter will be looked into and we will be following up on it.”

Contact Kenny Walter at

kwalter@gmnews.com.





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