I hope everyone had a great Summer….and can keep it going through September!
As you are probably aware, we changed the timing for the Wednesday evening Concerts to 6 P.M.we to 8 P.M. This was done purely for safety reasons, as it is much better to have people leaving Sunset Park and crossing the boulevard while it is still daylight. We expect to keep this time going forward.
Speaking of the Concerts, our HCPD Officers did a great job in covering the Concerts. Between those events, the Blue Claw Craft Show, and the Coffee With A Cop events, and their regular patrols, our Officers were truly part of our community this Summer!
New traffic signage was installed along 80th Street, to emphasize that 80th Street is not an Outlet back to the Boulevard, and that U-Turns are not permitted on the side streets. We will continue to evaluate traffic signage throughout the town in an effort to improve safety.
With the off-season approaching, please remember to utilize the HCPD “Winter House Check” Program. This program is free of charge and will help our officers keep an eye on your property when you are not here. We ask that every property owner visit www.hcpolice.org to sign up.
Please be aware that this time of year we start to lose our lifeguard staff to high school and college commitments. Some of our least populated beaches will be unguarded on certain days if not every day through the end of the summer. The unguarded beaches will be
routinely patrolled by lifeguards on quads to speak with beach patrons and encourage them to swim near a lifeguard.
Additionally, please note our postseason lifeguard schedule
September 8-12 Middlesex and 80th guarded daily weather permitting.
Sept 13-30 Middlesex guarded 7 days weather permitting
September 13 - 30 Weekends 80th St guarded staff and weather permitting
Remember: while September is typically great beach weather, the hurricane season brings increased changes of rip currents. Please be mindful, pay attention to the flags, and obey Lifeguard instructions at all times.
Our Harvey Cedars Beach Patrol continues to shine in local competitions (Note: all are held after hours). While the HCBP priority is, and always has been, protecting our beaches and beach-goers, these after hour “competitions” are more than just sporting events. They demonstrate the training, professionalism, and excellence of our HCBP staff. Congratulations to HCBP Chief Randy Townsend and his team on the following accomplishments this year:
Additionally, I am proud to say that the AC Press posted a new video interview/instructional article to articulate and show what a rip current is and how a lifeguard effectively makes a rescue - and they featured HCBP Chief Randy Townsend and his staff demonstrating how to recognize and deal with rip currents. The AC Press chose Randy and our beach patrol for this film because of our great relationship with them and because of the great work that our patrol does day in and day out.
Continuing our monthly presentation of the background of the HCPD Officers, this month we present our newest (as in Brand New) Officer, Jonathan Rainier:
Special Officer Class 2 Jonathan Rainier
22 Years Old
Long Beach Township Police Department, Class 2 & Dispatcher, May 2018 - July 2021
Harvey Cedars Police Department, Class 2, July 2021 - Present
Attending Stockton University