Page 4 • Wednesday , December 13 , 2017 • The Hammonton Gazette
State : Juvenile Detention Center coming to Winslow Twp .
JUVENiLE , from Page 1 1 , Winslow township , Camden County [/] requesting Party : the State of NJ , Department of the treasury , on behalf of the Department of Human Services , requests approval to lease 6.5 (+-) acres of surplus property located on the grounds of ancora Hospital , to the NJ economic Development authority as part of a lease / leaseback for financing the construction of a future Juvenile Justice Commission facility in the Southern New Jersey region . terms : the lease will be for thirty ( 30 ) years .”
Hammonton Mayor Stephen DiDonato said he hopes the building design will account for all levels of security .
“ in today ’ s society it ’ s unfortunate but these facilities are needed and required . i just hope that the architects and security analysts design this building considering safety measures to keep occupancy of the building and employees safe . in addition the design must keep all those residents in surrounding communities safe as well ,” DiDonato said .
Winslow twp . Mayor Barry Wright said he was first notified in October about possible development at the ancora Hospital site , but that there was no mention of the construction of a juvenile justice facility at the site .
“ first . we ’ re appalled at the lack of transparency in the process having not been notified appropriately . the previous correctional facility , Bayside State Prison at ancora Hospital , resulted in an escape which was not detected by corrections officers for four-anda-half hours and Winslow twp . Police were not notified for sixand-a-half hours . So therefore , what guarantees would we have that this facility will be secure ?” Wright said .
Wright said Winslow twp . and state officials would be working together to oppose the Winslow twp . site of the juvenile justice facility .
“ We ’ re going to work with our fourth District legislators , assemblyman Paul Moriarty , assemblywoman Gabriela Mosquera and Senator fred Madden , in objecting to this facility being located in Winslow twp .,” Wright said .
Store clerk calls police on thief
by Gabe Donio
Gazette Staff Writer
HaMMONtON — a quickthinking store employee contacted the Hammonton Police Department ( HPD ) about a man who allegedly stole a light bar from a retail store on the prime block of S . White Horse Pike , then called the store to attempt to return the item and finally , returned to the store after he was asked to come back with the item by the store employee , Hammonton Police Lt . Kevin friel said . friel said that at 4:35 p . m . on December 8 , a theft allegedly occurred on the prime block of S . White Horse Pike from a retail establishment .
“ We had an individual steal a light bar from the retail store and then called the store to ask to return it ,” friel said . a store employee contacted the man who called the store and asked him to return to the store , friel said . When the person returned
See CLERK , Page 12