ATV makes successful debut for police dept.
BY ELANA ARON
Correspondent

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - The Freehold Township Police Department's new Polaris quad ATV (off-road vehicle) proved to be useful even before it was officially in use.

The ATV, which is a four-wheel drive vehicle outfitted with emergency lights, police radio, a first aid kit and oxygen, was used by police on July 1 to chase and apprehend two juveniles who were accused of breaking into the Monmouth County Park System's Nomoco Activity Center on Nomoco Road.

The suspects, two juvenile boys from Jackson, are accused of breaking doors, discharging fire extinguishers and damaging vending machines at the activity center before fleeing on two ATVs into the woods.

As police officers Ralph Donato, Andrew Galaydick and Manny DaSilva maintained a perimeter at the point where the ATVs were last seen before entering the woods, Police Officer Thomas Goetke responded with the department's brand new ATV and began searching trails in the area.

After a search that lasted for about 10 minutes, Goetke located the two suspects and brought them back to the road. Witnesses identified the boys as the suspects in the break-in at the Nomoco Activity Center, according to information provided by police.

Two additional juveniles were located walking in the area. They were determined not to be involved with the break-in and damage, but had been passengers on the ATVs in a prohibited area.

All four juveniles were arrested, processed for defiant trespassing and released to their parents. Complaints are pending against the operators of the ATVs for burglary, criminal mischief and eluding police.

Police Capt. Kurt T. Schriefer said the new vehicle will continue to prove its worth.

"Other agencies currently use them and we considered it for quite some time," Schriefer said. "It was a joint effort to purchase it. There are areas we need to patrol in Freehold Township for homeland security. When we planned the purchase we asked what else we could use it for. We don't want it to sit idle. It allows us to use it for patrolling other areas in town such as parks. We've had lost hunters, lost children. It's a great tool for that use as well."

According to Schriefer, use of the vehicle so soon after its purchase came as a surprise.

"Our goal is to train everyone in the department in its uses," said Schriefer. "We had just begun training and one of the officers who had received training was able to use the quad that evening. The vehicle wasn't even officially in use then."

Schriefer said the ATV will be available 24 hours a day, every day.

"So far it seems like it's going to be very successful," the captain said. "You can just get to so many places. Once more officers get trained, we'll re-evaluate the program to see if we need to purchase another ATV."

The vehicle, which was purchased for $7,500 with funds from Homeland Security and the Law Enforcement Trust Fund, will be officially unveiled at the National Night Out event to be held from 6-9 p.m. Aug. 7 at the municipal building.