Stay Off The Roads, Ocean County Authorities Plead

TOMS RIVER, NJ — As the blizzard continues to bear down on Ocean County and surrounding areas, local authorities are expressing frustration at motorists who are not staying off the roads.

"Blizzard warning remains in effect as conditions continue to deteriorate," the Toms River Office of Emergency Management said in a Nixle alert at noon. "Please remain indoors and refrain from driving unless necessary."

"It is not safe to drive today!" the Ocean County Sheriff's Office said in another Nixle message.

Towns across the county are reporting multiple vehicles getting stuck on the roads, creating a variety of issues. And the reasons they are giving for being out are what is causing the frustration. At least a foot of snow had fallen in Brick Township as of 11:15 a.m. and similar totals are likely in other towns as well.

"The vast majority of these drivers are not essential employees," said Ralph Stocco, spokesman for the Toms River Police Department. "The reasons they have given for being out? Getting coffee, cigarettes, pet food and they just wanted to see how bad it was."

"The roads are getting worse, not better," said Barnegat Lt. Keith Germain in a tweet that included a photo of a stuck driver in that township. More than 30 vehicles have gotten stuck because the driving is so treacherous, he said.

In Lakewood, police said any vehicle that becomes stuck and disabled as a result of being out in the storm will be towed at the owner's expense.

"Our officers need to be on the road, however, most people do not," Manchester Township police said earlier Thursday, posting a photo on Facebook of near-whiteout conditions on Route 37 (see it above). "If you DO NOT need to be on the roads, please stay home." The department later sent all-capital letters Nixle alerts later trying to emphasize the message further.

Stocco said in Toms River, numerous motorists have not heeded the warnings and are getting stuck, spinning out off the road and getting involved in minor crashes.

"We need to keep these officers free to respond to the inevitable medical calls that will come in," Stocco said. "Officers are utilizing 4 x 4 vehicles for response but with snow drifts several feet deep in places we run the risk of getting stuck ourselves on the side streets. Tying up these officers unnecessarily could conceivably cost lives."

Main photo by Barnegat Township Police, via Barnegat Lt. Keith Germain; second photo of Route 37 at Hooper by Ocean County Sheriff's office as of noon; third photo Route 37 in Manchester at 8:30 a.m. via Manchester Township police