The members of the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department, PBA Local 379, wish to alert the citizens of Ocean County that numerous residents have reportedly received telephone calls from telemarketers seeking donations to benefit law enforcement concerns. During these telephone calls, the solicitors have implied that they represent officers from the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department.
Neither the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Policemen’s Benevolent Association or any PBA in the state of New Jersey, including our parent organization, the New Jersey Policemen’s Benevolent Association Inc., uses telemarketing as a means of fund raising. Our officers contribute their money through dues collection to sponsor organizations such as SIDS Walk for Kids, the March of Dimes, and many local scholastic events. Neither the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department PBA Local 379 nor Sheriff William Polhemus are using any type of telemarketing agencies.
Groups such as the Fraternal Order of Police, the New Jersey Superior Officers Association and the Garden State Law Enforcement Officers Association, just to name a few, have traditionally engaged in blanket telephone solicitations of the entire state, regardless of whether or not they actually represent officers from the areas they call. Efforts through legislation are currently being pursued by the PBA to end telemarketing by groups chartered for the representation and benefit of law enforcement officers in New Jersey.
These organizations typically keep 80 to 85 percent of the money collected, meaning a $100 donation would yield $15 to $20 for the police organization.
We urge all residents and businesses to decline requests for donations made by telemarketers. If anyone has any questions, please feel free to contact me at (732) 506-5132.
Jim Pissott
Ocean County
Sheriff’s Department
State Delegate PBA
Local 379