Berkeley Heights Local hosts annual
Trunk-or-Treat event
After the shock and destruction from storms that knocked
out power throughout Berkeley Heights in 2011-12 and left
outdoor conditions unsafe for trick-or-treaters, Berkeley
Heights Officer Jeanne-Marie Mocarski came up with the idea
for the town’s youngest residents to go “trunk-or-treating” in a
well-lit community parking lot as a substitute for going doorto-door.
Since its inception, the event has become a Berkeley Heights
favorite – an annual tradition providing the township’s children a safe opportunity to trick-or-treat among friends, family and law enforcement.
After the annual group photo snapped on the municipal
building steps, kids fell in line to follow Officer Trent Fettes
in the police car for the Halloween parade of characters, and
then returned to their trunk-or-treating.
Parents had just as much fun as the kids dressing up as Batman, Rapunzel, a minion and many other characters, while
some were dressed as prisoners alongside their children
dressed as law enforcement officers.
Included in the lineup of trunks were the Union County
SWAT vehicle and Rescue Squad ambulance. d
Local 189 supports
Hazlet lemonade stand
for injured officer
Like many young children, Moira and Liam McCarron decided to set up the traditional summer lemonade stand. But
in late August, this brother and sister team from Hazlet had a
bigger goal in mind for their little operation. They wanted to
help law enforcement, and decided the best way would be to
donate the $500 they raised to an injured Atlantic City officer.
Hazlet Township Local 189 matched the donation, securing
$1,000 for Joshlee Vadell, who was shot in the head outside a
casino while trying to stop an armed robbery. He was released
from the hospital in September and sent to a rehabilitation facility.
“Their sole purpose to do this was in response to all of the
negative issues going on toward the police across the country,
and just wanted to express their support in some way,” said
Local 189 State Delegate Vincent Quinn.
The Local sent the $1,000 in October. Both Moira, aged 9,
and Liam, aged 7, were recognized by the Township of Hazlet,
and given a Good Citizen Award in September during a public
meeting.
Neither of their proud parents William and Annmarie McCarron are connected to law enforcement, but they did encourage their children to do what they felt was right.
The family’s fairly busy street provided an ideal
location for the stand, earning the children the $500 in only
two days. d
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NEW JERSEY COPS
■ NOVEMBER 2016