Oaths taken at Township Council meeting
By Jenine Clancy, Special Writer
MONROE — The township’s police department swore in seven new officers at the Township Council’s meeting on Wednesday night.
Police Chief Michael E. Lloyd said this was the first entrance exam the town offered in almost 15 years.
"These gentleman are absolute examples of what we hoped to get and they have gotten praise from my command staff and follow orders," Chief Lloyd said.
The seven new officer are: 24-year-old Robert Seiden, 23-year-old Dale Degraw, 26-year-old Stephen Dzema, 26-year-old Robert Maritz, 24-year-old Jeffrey Paglio, 26-year-old Trevon Robinson and 24-year-old Brian Taylor, whose father Brian Taylor Sr. is a retired sergeant of Monroe.
"I think it’s wonderful to see a bunch of young men and able to get jobs as police officers," Councilman Michael Leibowitz said. "We welcome you and having our continuing low crime rate and a safe community.
"Thank you to the family’s for raising such fine young men," Councilman Stephen Dalina said. "It takes a village to raise a family, and in Monroe we are truly a family and its our village to take of your young men. I know they will take care of us.
"You are to be very proud," Councilman Dalina said to the families. "We are very proud of the entire police force for our low crime rate and we thank you all personally."
In January of this year, Monroe was ranked 14 out of the 50 safest communities in the state.
According to a ranking published by security organization SafeWise, coupled with data from the FBI’s 2011 crime report, Monroe police reported seven crimes per 1,000 people in 2011 and a just 15 incidents of violent crime.
Monroe is home to nearly 40,000 people.
"A lot of different kinds of families are here in Monroe and that’s why I feel it’s a wonderful place to live," Council Vice President Leslie Koppel said. "You have a family in the back, the family in blue and that is a wonderful family. Our township is built on a strong police force and each one of you takes time to protect us and want to thank you."