Brick Is Still A Safe Community: Read Police Chief's Letter

BRICK, NJ — In the wake of two killings and two shootings in Brick in less than two months, chatter on social media has been less than kind to the township and, in some cases, the police department.

On Wednesday, Brick Township's police chief responded to the criticisms. In a letter published on the police department's Facebook page, Chief James Riccio addressed the incidents and the comments that Brick's safety is on the decline.

The two killings both were linked to domestic violence, not random attacks, he said. The shootings, which were related, were an isolated situation that "should not define our community," he said.

The township was rated the safest city in the United States in 2006 by Morgan Quitno Press (which later merged with CQ Press), and that ranking is still cited by residents, frequently when they are frustrated about unlocked-car burglaries or drug arrests.

The ranking was mentioned after the killing of Mark Richard Austin on Sept. 7 and the Sept. 29 stabbing death of Dennis Power, but Riccio said in both cases, the accused killers were people they knew.

"The suspects in each case had different motivations for their actions, however all were categorized as acts of domestic violence and not random acts which would have otherwise placed the community in danger," Riccio said. Austin was beaten to death with a baseball bat; his son, Mark J. Austin, is under arrest in the murder. Power, meanwhile, was stabbed by his fiance, Ciara Williams; she has pleaded self-defense in the case, saying Power had beaten her.

The shooting incidents — a drive-by shooting on Oct. 19 and a shooting near Brick Memorial High School that injured a student — deeply rattled the community, but they were connected to each other and not random, Riccio said. Two teens, 17 and 16 years old, each have been charged with four counts of attempted murder, because the boy who was injured was walking with three friends at the time.

"The shooting on October 22 was perpetrated by two individuals who came into our town from other areas," Riccio said. "As expected the incidents caused fear and much concern. Some who hide behind social media posted rumors and misinformation. Others are depicting our town as out of control and crime-ridden. What I can tell you is this: That is far from the truth and quite honestly an unfair statement. Two isolated incidents do not and should not define our community."

"These incidents, as disturbing as they may have been, are not the norm and not something that I would expect to continue," Riccio said. Officers have been added to the township's special enforcement team and its narcotics team, which already were investigating crimes. The ongoing investigative work led to the arrests of 19 people in the three days following the shooting near Brick Memorial.

"It is important to note that this operation was not the start of something new but instead is in addition to what we have already been doing in these areas of concern," Riccio wrote.

You can read his letter in full below:

"As the Chief of Police, I feel it necessary to respond in an attempt to dispel rumors and assure the people we serve that Brick is still a safe community despite what has transpired in recent weeks.

As some of you may know, October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. When we think of domestic violence, we typically think physical assault. As we know, domestic violence comes in all forms. Besides the physical abuse, psychological abuse is just as common.

So far this year our department has responded to well over 500 calls of domestic violence. In extreme cases the violence escalates and results in a death. Unfortunately that was the case in the recent homicides that were investigated by our department. The suspects in each case had different motivations for their actions, however all were categorized as acts of domestic violence and not random acts which would have otherwise placed the community in danger. Each case was tragic and senseless and possibly could have been avoided if those involved sought the help that they needed.

I urge anyone who is the victim of domestic violence or if you know someone who is to please contact our department, or the New Jersey Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-572-SAFE (7233),

Sadly, as everyone knows, our community recently had two shootings, both of which I can now say were related. The shooting on October 22 was perpetrated by two individuals who came into our town from other areas.

As expected, the incidents caused fear and much concern. Some who hide behind social media posted rumors and misinformation. Others are depicting our town as out of control and crime ridden. What I can tell you is this: That is far from the truth and quite honestly an unfair statement.

Two isolated incidents do not and should not define our community.

These incidents, as disturbing as they may have been, are not the norm and not something that I would expect to continue. Our detectives worked tirelessly along with members of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s office to solve these cases before anyone else was hurt. And as you have read, they did just that. This "scum," as accurately described by Mayor Ducey, were brought to justice.

Our department has been and remains very proactive in areas known for criminal activity and has zero tolerance for any drug or gang activity. Our Selective Enforcement Team (SET) works closely with our Drug Enforcement Unit and together they are successful in arresting those involved in the use and sale of illegal drugs and those known to be involved in gang activity. We recently added an officer to our drug unit and another to our SET team so that they have the resources that they need to remain proactive. Our department is well-trained and equipped and ready to handle any situation that may arise.

Often times, incidents such as these lead into other areas of investigation. As you may have read we recently arrested 19 individuals for various offenses. The arrests were the result of a joint operation conducted between Brick and county detectives who joined forces following these shootings. It is important to note that this operation was not the start of something new but instead is in addition to what we have already been doing in these areas of concern.

I get to meet Chiefs of Police from around the country and have listened to their concerns and complaints. What I have realized is how fortunate we are here in Brick to have a mayor, a council and a business administrator who care about our community and our police enough to make certain that we have the resources that we need to do our job.

In closing, I would like to say that all of the officers of the Brick Police department are committed to serving the residents of Brick Township and keeping safe all who, live, work and visit our great town.

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