Maple Leaf, Herbertsville Park Patrols Stepped Up, Brick Police Say

BRICK, NJ -- Residents who have complained about issues of crime and quality-of-life issues in the Maple Leaf Park and Herbertsville Park areas have seen an increased police presence in recent days.

The police department said a special detail, deployed the last two weekends in the area, resulted in nine arrests and 72 summonses being issued, said Capt. Vincent Pacitti of the township's Community Policing Division.

"Officers assigned to the detail were tasked to be highly visible and proactive, with the main focus on citizen contacts in an attempt to gain information about current quality-of-life issues," Pacitti said.

Police Chief James Riccio had said patrols and police presence would be increased in the wake of a fight among teenage girls at Herbertsville Park that left one girl with a serious eye injury that required surgery. Three girls were charged with aggravated assault in that incident, police said. That case was expected to be handled in Ocean County Family Court.

Pacitti said the special detail has made more than 90 citizen contacts over the last two weekends and in addition to the arrests and summonses, five vehicles have been impounded. The arrests included those for outstanding warrants, drug possession and for driving under the influence, he said.

Bicycle patrols, which Riccio announced, will begin this weekend at Maple Leaf, Pacitti said. Nine officers completed bicycle training and additional officers will attend bicycle training in the future, he said.

(Police Chief James Riccio addresses Brick Township police officers prior to them beginning bicycle training recently. The bicycle patrols will be used to help address issues in Maple Leaf Park and Herbertsville Park while the weather is nice. Photos courtesy Brick Township Police Department)