Paprota Says Farewell, New Lacey Chief To Be Sworn In Thursday

Outgoing Police Chief David A. Paprota left his mark on Lacey Township during the nearly four years he served as chief law enforcement officer.

His successor, Lt. Michael DiBella, will be sworn in on Thursday night at 7 p.m. at the Township Committee meeting.

Paprota looked back on his time in Lacey in a "final statement" he e-mailed to area media.

A "significant turnover" in the police department gave him the chance to recruit and hire exceptional and new personnel, Paprota said.

Most of the newer hires have four-year degrees and many have advanced degrees, he said.

"I am very proud of the accomplishments of the Lacey Township Police Department and the Lacey Township as a whole," he said. "My retirement marks the end of my tenure in law enforcement and the beginning of the next chapter in my life. I am confident that, with continuing community support moving forward, the police department and Lacey Township will continue to progress to all new heights."

Residential and commercial burglaries fell from a high of 119 in 2012 to 43 in 2015. Thefts dropped from 684 in 2010 to 334 in 2015.

The crime index for Lacey Township peaked at its worst in recorded history in 2010 at 31.1 indicating there were 31.1 Part 1 offenses reported per 1,000 residents. The 2015 crime index for Lacey Township will be below 16.0, he said.

Arrests have tripled from lows of 300 per year before 2013 up to 900 per year in 2015, Paprota said.

"The increase in arrests is directly attributable to a philosophy of accountability based on the premise that if someone enters Lacey Township and commits a crime, he or she will be arrested and charged," he said.

Paprota also cited "proactive" measures like warrant checks and an engaged community as some of the reasons for the crime rate drop.

He also developed the police department website and social media accounts, which lead to increased community involvement. He posted a voluminous police blotter every week and sent out timely notifications to the public on breaking news.

Lacey Township has one of the youngest demographic compositions of the municipalities in Ocean County. Still, the number of overdoses and deaths has dropped over the past four years in the township.

Overdoses dropped by 20 percent since 2012 and overdose deaths by 30 percent.

"Heroin is a problem that will continue to plague this country for years to come, as the nation is being flooded with the fatal drug from across our borders," Paprota said.

Under his watch, the police department has expanded special volunteer events with police officers interacting with the community, especially with the township's youth.

Seventeen officers are certified EMTs, who are licensed to administer Narcan and EpiPen auto-injectors if needed. Lacey was the first department in the state to begin the EpiPen program, Paprota said.

"I sincerely thank everyone in the community for their support during my career," he said. "I also look forward to volunteering and continuing to be active in the community as the founder of the Lacey Municipal Police Foundation and a member (retired) of the Lacey PBA Local #238.