Church Christmas services
and special events
p. 47
Itsy the Elf makes
annual trip to town
p. 31
Cookie Bake-off
is December 7
p. 15
Wednesday, December 6, 2017
MAN FACES CHILD PORN CHARGES
Volume 21 • Issue 49
by Gina Rullo
G azette S taff W riter
treNtON—On December 1,
attorney General Christopher S.
Porrino announced the arrests of
79 child predators and child
pornography offenders in “Opera-
tion Safety Net,” a nine-month,
www.hammontongazette.com
2012 HHS graduate charged in major operation
multi-agency child protection ini-
tiative led by the New Jersey re-
gional internet Crimes against
Children (iCaC) task force, ac-
cording to a press release from
Porrino’s office. Partnering agen-
cies targeted sex offenders who
exploited the internet and social
media, making arrests in every
New Jersey county and deploying,
for the first time, a new van
equipped as a mobile cyber foren-
sics lab, as well as a new canine
trained to sniff out electronic de-
vices, to assist in execution of
search warrants.
those arrested in Operation
Safety Net included 10 “hands-on”
offenders, including child preda-
tors in California and indiana who
allegedly tried to have children
transported interstate from New
Jersey by adult traffickers, so they
could have sex with the children;
four men in New Jersey who al-
legedly sought to lure children for
sex; a camp counselor who al-
Family businesses Kids visit Santa after tree lighting
have strong ties
by Stephen Pistone
G azette S taff W riter
HaMMONtON—family and
business go hand-in-hand in a
town like Hammonton as both a
strong sense of family and a
strong business landscape em-
See ARREST, Page 10
body the community. Many fami-
lies in Hammonton exemplify
these virtues as proprietors of
businesses alongside members of
their family.
Joseph Berenato has owned au-
tomotive repair shop action auto
Body for 30 years and recently
Hectic holidays
bring fun, stress
by Stephen Pistone
G azette S taff W riter
HaMMONtON—as the cal-
endar turns to December, there is
much to look forward to for local
residents. Between holiday shop-
ping, attending various local
events, decorating and organizing
See FAMILY, Page 3
family get-togethers, the holiday
season can be a hectic time for
many but is also a time that many
people relish due to the overall
feeling of kindness and joy that
fills the community.
as Christmas approaches, Ham-
monton resident Helen D’agostino
is anticipating having some down-
Santa, The Grinch, a boy & his dog
See HOLIDAYS, Page 10
THG/Annabella Peretti. To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940.
Annabelle Cooper, 3, of Buena, shared her wish list with Santa Claus during a meet-and-greet at Wells Fargo Bank
on December 2 during the Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting celebration.
tree mounted. there were plenty
of attractions taking place through-
by Stephen Pistone
out the ceremony, including
G azette S taff W riter
Christmas caroling, live band per-
HaMMONtON—Bellevue formances, horse-drawn carriage
avenue was shining bright and rides, a live nativity scene organ-
filled with holiday spirit on De- ized by Victory Bible Church and
cember 2 as MainStreet Hammon- more.
a large LeD video screen and
ton hosted the annual Downtown
tree Lighting Ceremony, marking stage courtesy of Spellcaster Pro-
the beginning of the holiday sea- ductions were set up adjacent to
the towering Christmas tree next to
son in town.
Droves of people populated the Wells fargo Bank at the corner of
downtown area as the sound of Bellevue and Central avenues.
popular holiday tunes filled the air throughout the evening, several
and the anticipation of Santa performers took the stage and en-
See TREE, Page 3
Claus’ arrival and lighting of the
HPD: Truck
mirrors stolen
by Gabe Donio
G azette S taff W riter
HaMMONtON—Police are
investigating the theft of two truck
mirrors that was reported at 1:45
p.m. on November 28, Hammon-
THG/Kelly Hunt. To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940. ton Police Lt. Kevin friel said.
Joseph Saccone, 4, with his German Shepard Axel get ready to see Santa Claus during the annual Santa Paws event
friel said the theft occurred on
organized by the Hammonton Dog Park Volunteers. The event was held at the new dog park.
the 800 block of S. White Horse
SUBSCRIBE TO The
Worth about $500 each
Pike.
“two side view mirrors were
stolen off a truck at that location.
they were valued at approxi-
mately $500 each,” friel said.
the mirrors were believed to
have been taken sometime be-
Gazette • $20 FOR 52 WEEKS • CALL 609-704-1939
See POLICE, Page 4