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OFFICIAL NEWS RELEASE

 
 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Office of Public Information (609) 882-2000
Capt. Al Della Fave  x6514
Lt. Gerald Lewis  x6516
Sgt. Stephen Jones  x6513
Sgt. Jeanne Hengemuhle  x6515

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 14, 2006


 
 
New Website Will Float Their Boats

West Trenton, NJ – The New Jersey State Police Marine Services Unit is launching a new tool in the fight to keep the state’s boaters and coastal citizens safe. No, it’s not a new ship; they’re launching a website. Fully activated late Monday, March 13, 2006, the site is packed with critical information to assist the state’s boaters in the enjoyment of their pastimes, or the pursuit of their careers. The site can be accessed from the homepage of the New Jersey State Police website at njsp.org.

“ New Jersey is almost completely surrounded by water,” said Colonel Rick Fuentes, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “We must do everything we can to raise the safety and security effectiveness for all our citizens who work and recreate on our state’s waterways.”

“This site will help accomplish two major objectives,” said Captain Mike Scarpone, Chief of the Marine Services Bureau. “It gives boaters a way to answer their questions about the new licensing requirements and it enlists the boating public in the fight against crime and terrorism on the water.”

Marine Bureau personnel estimate that 95% of the phone calls they receive involve questions about the new boat safety certificate requirements. Top billing on the new front page is given to information about a State Police option for experienced boaters to “test out” of the new requirements without taking an instructional course. Under the “Frequently Asked Questions” section, Internet visitors can find links to the major providers of training courses. Other pages outline the demands of the new law as they apply to boaters of various ages.

The second major feature of the website is a new security program named the Maritime Security Initiative. The MSI is the idea of Tpr. Perry Capiak, who, after spending time with the State Police Community Partnership Branch, saw the need to strengthen the trooper’s ties with the boating community. The eyes and ears of the boaters and businesses that support them are a huge asset through which troopers can collect intelligence to better protect the public.

Tips on suspicious activity can be placed by email link or over the phone to a toll-free tip line. The MSI itself has been in use for one year and numerous useful tips have come in since that time. An important component of the MSI is training. Troopers have spoken at many public meetings to train boaters on what types of behaviors should be clues to suspicious activity. The website also outlines the things to watch for.

Several boating businesses have expressed interest in supporting the MSI by placing prominent links on their websites. The first to supply such a link is bassbarn.com, a saltwater fishing information source. Troopers are hopeful that as the MSI gains momentum, that the incoming tips will help reduce crime and provide terrorism leads to be investigated by State Police and federal authorities.

The State Police Intelligence Bureau is an integral part of the MSI. Tips about significant crimes and potential terrorist activity are entered into the Statewide Intelligence Management System, a computer-based search program that links connected people and events. These potential leads are run through SIMS by the troopers manning the 24-hour Regional Operations Intelligence Center at Division Headquarters.

The new site also features a new “Ask a Trooper” feature through which member of the public can ask law enforcement questions about boating. The photo for this link features Tpr. Perry Capiak, Sgt. Bill Addis and Sgt. Paul Jenkins who were all important to the development of the ideas behind the website.

Also critical to the site are the webmasters from the State Police Information Technology Bureau who continue to add important information. Upcoming additions to the Marine Services website will include recent stories of lifesaving deeds by the marine troopers and photo albums of the various State Police watercraft.

NOTE: Troopers will be available upon request to speak about the new website, including water safety certificate requirements and the MSI.


NJSP Marine Services Web site

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