By Amy Batista, Special Writer
Residents on Amboy Avenue expressed concerns over what has been happening on their street lately, alleging there are unsupervised house parties and drug-related problems.
They asked the Township Council for help at the meeting on Aug. 6.
When one resident alleged that her son got beat up two times in one night by juveniles who then boarded the New Jersey Transit River Line towards Burlington, Mayor Craig Wilkie said, “With that, that incident is under investigation. We were all briefed by the Chief of Police (John Bunce) earlier tonight. I can’t say too much about it because obviously it’s under investigation.”
Mayor Wilkie said additional police activities have already been initiated, such as increased police presence in that area.
”We understand the concerns,” he said.
Council President Ted Lovenduski said, “Sometimes just because you don’t see them (the police) doesn’t mean necessarily that they are not there. They are doing the best that they can at this time.”
Residents also alleged that kids bang on cars and doors on their way out of the neighborhood, walk down the street peeing, leave dime bags all over the place, roll and smoke joints in the area, have sex out in the open and sell drugs.
”We appreciate the information,” the mayor said. “Some of the things you have just mentioned are being observed in the neighborhood right now and already some changes are being planned as to what has been brought to our attention.”
He added, “You are not forgotten. I understand what your concerns are.”
Councilman Jerry Sandusky advised the public that if they don’t see any increase in police presence “that you once again come and see us.”
”You came this evening; that was very good of you to come and vent and let us know what is going on,” he said. “We all feel sorry for you. We all know what is going on down there. There have been different hot spots in the 33 years that I have been up here on council and we’ve taken care of it and I am going to say to you this evening that hopefully we can take care of this one also.”
He noted that there are a lot of things going on Amboy Avenue “that you folks don’t know.”
”We’re not at liberty to tell you,” he said. “There are a lot of actions going on there so just be a little bit patient but if it doesn’t improve just keep on coming back.”

