Twitter User Threatens Brick Mayor's Life

BRICK, NJ — Authorities are investigating a threat sent to Brick Township Mayor John Ducey via Twitter, the Ocean County prosecutor's office announced Friday.

Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer did not detail the threat, but said the prosecutor's office, Brick Township police and the FBI are actively investigating the threat made against Ducey. The threat was made on Thursday, Billhimer said.

The Asbury Park Press, which was tagged in the threat, reported the tweet said "Time to kill" and published Ducey's home address. The account that posted the threat has been suspended.

Ducey has been the focus of a Twitter firestorm since late Tuesday night, when a screenshot of an anti-Semitic tweet from a resident and Ducey's response were circulated on the social media platform.

Critics have blasted Ducey for not calling out the anti-Semitism in the tweet, where the man complained, "@Mayor Ducey, can we please do something about our parks and beaches. They are being invaded by the hasidic and orthodox jews and being ruined. Our tax paying residents are being forced out while politicians sit and do nothing." Ducey's response said: "Our parks security has started already. Just call police with any problems and they will send them out."

A number of critics additionally have interpreted Ducey's response as a call for police to remove Orthodox or Hasidic Jews from the town's parks based solely on their religion.

"Everyone has a right to these parks, just as we do when we go to Central Park or Myrtle Beach or any other public place," Ducey said Wednesday in a phone interview with Patch. "All members of all communities, including the Orthodox and the Hasidic communities, are welcome and present in our parks." Read more: Twitter Blasts Brick Mayor's Reply To Anti-Semitic Tweet

On Thursday, the criticism continued; Ducey was rebuked by Lakewood Mayor Raymond Coles, who sent a letter to the Brick mayor calling for public officials to work for "harmony not hate." Read more: Lakewood Mayor Criticizes Brick Mayor Over Tweet Reply: Report

Ducey on Wednesday acknowledged on Twitter in a reply to some critics that he had "failed at the big picture" by not rebuking the resident's anti-Semitic comment. He tweeted: "This twitter feed (and the world in general) is no place for bigotry or hateful comments. They are hurtful and divisive. They are condemned by me and all who are trying to make a difference in the world. Look for the good in you and others and the world will be a bettter place."

Have a news tip? Email karen.wall@patch.com Follow Brick Patch on Facebook.