POLICE BLOTTER: Lambertville woman loses $5,200 in phone scam

— Phone scam snares city resident for $5,200 — On Sept. 15, a Lambertville resident came to city police headquarters to report a phone scam in which she reportedly lost $5,198.78.
The victim said she received a phone call from a person identifying himself as a representative of JCP&L. This person advised the victim she owed a large sum of money for an unpaid electric bill, and was given instructions on how to pay the bill.
The victim was told to buy four "GreenDot" re-useable debit cards, then call a telephone number and provide the authorization code on the back of each card. The victim did as instructed. Later, the victim contacted JCP&L and was told it had not contacted her or received any money. JCP&L does not collect debts in this manner. Patrolman Matthew Bast investigated.
In other police reports:
— Jud Davidson, 62, of Lambertville was arrested on Sept. 19 and charged with manufacturing and/or distributing marijuana.
Lt. Robert Brown received anonymous information of possible marijuana vegetation being grown in the back yard of a Lincoln Avenue home. Six five- to eight-foot-tall marijuana plants were found to be growing on Mr. Davidson’s property, police said. Mr. Davidson was arrested, charged and later released with a pending court date. The marijuana plants were removed and secured in evidence.
— On Sept. 20, Lauren McManus reported her bicycle had been stolen sometime in the previous day.
Ms. McManussaid her bicycle was taken from her front porch, where it was unsecured. The bicycle is described as a purple Nishiki hybrid bicycle (mountain bike style). Patrolman Michael Gramlich investigated.
— Forum addresses suicide prevention —On Sept. 10, which was World Suicide Prevention Day, the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office, in partnership with the Hunterdon Safe Coalition, held a training seminar addressing suicide prevention.
The seminar at Hunterdon County Polytech was attended by local law enforcement and emergency services personnel, mental health care professionals and members of various prevention organizations.
The topics addressed included identifying warning signs of persons at risk of suicide and intervention techniques. In addition, specialists addressed suicide among military service personnel and law enforcement.
One of the techniques provided was QPR — Question, Persuade and Refer —a technique that can be used to help prevent suicide completion. QPR was designed to provide help and support to those contemplating suicide.
Presenters included retired Lt. Shelia Hobson, a peer counselor and supervising mental health specialist with the Cop2Cop Program. Lt. Hobson is retired from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office with over 25 years of experience in law enforcement, and is also an ordained Baptist minister.
Also presenting was Robert E. Douglas, Jr., founder and executive director of the National Police Suicide Foundation, Inc. Mr. Douglas is a retired agent from the Baltimore City Police Department.
According to Hunterdon Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns III, "The issue of suicide is one that requires understanding and caution and must be addressed."
"Law enforcement and community prevention programs can only reach a limited number of people," Mr. Kearns said. "Our goal is to provide information that will allow awareness, prevention, and help educate people on how they might best address this serious issue."