Middletown police to step
up local beach presence

MIDDLETOWN — The police are hitting the beach.

It’s a beat they’ve been trying to get tough on for some time, and now the time is right.

They’re toughening law enforcement efforts to be more visible on Ideal and Leonardo beaches, and it started with the purchase of a Chevrolet Tahoe, a four-wheel-drive vehicle that makes it easier for officers to access the beaches.

"In the past, it’s been difficult for the police to access the beach," said township administrator Robert Czech. "Through the neighborhood meetings, we realized that the purchase of the vehicle, along with added enforcement, was the right way to remedy a situation that has become a neighborhood problem."

Czech added that in addition to the new truck, which will be fully equipped with effective lighting to locate teens trying to flee the area, there will be added forces on bicycles patrolling the area and "intermittent use of police officers in boats to clamp down on jet skiers abusing the recreational uses of the water," he said.

Police Chief John Pollinger was unavailable for comment, but Czech confirmed that six new officers would be sworn in Monday night in response to residents’ requests to beef up patrols, not just at the beach areas, but throughout the township.

— Elaine Van Develde