Friel: Police, fire department work to protect residents
HAMMONTON—A fast-moving storm dumped inches of rain in the hours between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on June 8, Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel said. At least six people received aid after their cars stalled in floodwaters, Friel said, adding that the Hammonton Police Department and Hammonton Volunteer Fire Department worked together to reroute traffic as streets quickly flooded.
“We had a severe amount of rain in a very short window, which always creates flooding areas. Just a reminder to people: When they see standing water on the roadway, try to find a way around it and not go through the water,” Friel said.
Police came to the aid of six separate vehicles that could not navigate the floodwaters, he said.
“There were six vehicles that were stuck in water on June 8 between the hours of 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. That’s when we had all the calls,” Friel said.
Friel said local first responders are trained to react swiftly to prevent drivers from accessing roads that are flooded.
“We try to be proactive to close the roadways off for areas that are flooding. We do wind up with different calls for service which makes it difficult. We are glad to have our volunteer fire department that comes out to help in that situation. We all work very well together,” Friel said.
In other police news, an arrest of an alleged trespasser was made at 2:15 p.m. on June 9 on the 100 block of 12th Street, Friel said.
“A store called in reference to the fact that a subject who was not permitted to be on the property had returned,” Friel said.
Responding Officer Christopher Henshaw reviewed the store video and confirmed that Angeliz Rosado-Toro, 19, of Hammonton had entered the store after she had been advised by store personnel that she was not permitted to enter, Friel said.
Rosado-Toro was found by patrol walking on foot two blocks away from the store, Friel said. She was arrested, transported to police headquarters for processing and charged with defiant trespass, Friel said.
She was released pending a court appearance in Hammonton Joint Municipal Court, Friel said.
Henshaw was the arresting and charging officer, Friel said.
Another arrest was made by police at 12:01 a.m. on June 13 on the prime block of N. White Horse Pike (Route 30), Friel said.
Friel said there was a call of a suspicious person who was in the bathroom of a local convenience store for a prolonged period of time.
Responding Officer Travis Hoffman came upon Gregory Wisniewski, 29, of Egg Harbor City, who was found to be in possession of a hypodermic needle and also found to have an active NCIC warrant from Delaware County, Friel said.
Friel said the man was also found to be in possession of controlled dangerous substance (cds) heroin. Friel said Wisniewski was placed under arrest, transported to police headquarters for processing and charged with the following: possession of cds heroin, possession of hypodermic needle, failing to give cds to police, refusing to be fingerprinted and a fugitive from justice charge.
He was transported to be lodged in the Atlantic County Jail, Friel said.
Hoffman was the arresting and charging officer, Friel said.