Hatchet Incident Shows Need For Homeless Shelter: Berkeley Officials

BERKELEY, NJ — An October incident has reminded officials of the need for more services for homeless individuals in the only county in New Jersey without transitional housing.

In October, a man who was believed to be living in the woods of Bayville threatened a Harbor Inn Road home wielding a hatchet and knife, police said. He went to the front door of the home trying to contact the homeowner, who said they did not know the man. Read more: Man Wielding Hatchet, Knife Threatened Bayville Home: Police

Councilman James Byrnes brought up the incident at a Township Council meeting a few days after, calling it "insane."

Byrnes said that as weather gets colder, many are concerned about where the homeless population will go.

"We think that Ocean County has a nice, warm spot for these people to go, but they don't," Byrnes said, noting that many are put on a bus and sent to Atlantic City.

"That's not right," Byrnes said. He said he had spoken with Berkeley's former police chief about utilizing an old jail at Robert J. Miller Air Park, and that the county is seeking solutions as well.

Related: Conflict Over Toms River Homeless Encampment Highlights Complex Issues

Police should know where the homeless are and who they are, Byrnes said.

Homelessness is increasing in Ocean County, according to the latest data. Read more: Homelessness Counts Up In Ocean County: Study

The recent creation of a Homelessness Trust Fund puts money towards Code Blue services, which are important when the weather turns frigid, and providing additional services to those in need, but the funds will not go towards a permanent shelter.

"Nineteen percent of Ocean County households struggle with factors of housing insecurity," Deputy Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners Gary Quinn previously said. "The creation of the Homelessness Trust Fund is in response to the changes we have seen in getting assistance to those who need it.: