DOVER — During a four-month span, Dover Focus submitted several requests for documents via the Open Public Records Act (OPRA) and uncovered that hundreds of items had not been properly redacted, thereby risking the privacy of citizens and potentially exposing the Town of Dover to significant legal challenges.

Frank Cahill, the publisher of Dover Focus, Parsippany Focus, and Morris Focus, boasts a 35-year tenure as an active journalist. Over the years, he has tirelessly pursued investigative journalism, marked by a plethora of OPRA requests directed at various municipalities. These efforts have yielded thousands of records spanning township budgets, ordinances, police accident reports, and a myriad of other documents. Cahill’s unwavering dedication to transparency and his pursuit of public information underscores his commitment to fostering informed citizenship.

OPRA, a state law in New Jersey, empowers citizens with greater access to government records maintained by public agencies. This includes entities such as townships, counties, school districts, and independent authorities. Government agencies are legally bound to respond to requests within a stipulated timeframe, typically within 7 business days.

Dover Focus utilizes the OPRA extensively as part of its reporting and investigative processes.

In an email to the Dover Police Department on January 26 “I wish to draw your attention to the fact that I have submitted three OPRA requests to the police department, with the earliest one dated January 7. However, I have not yet received any response. I believe that the statutory response time has elapsed, particularly for the request dated January 7. Could you please provide an estimated timeline for when I can anticipate a response? For your convenience, I have attached copies of all three requests for your reference.”

I immediately was CC’ed on an email to Dover Police Chief Jonathan Delaney from Business Administrator BettyLou DeCroce that said “Chief, Please advise if your department is answering this request.” Shortly thereafter I received answers to my requests.

Dover Focus submitted a highly significant OPRA request to the Dover Police Department on January 26, 2024. Within three days, by January 29, we received a response.

Contained within the response was 10 pages, which shockingly included at least eight pieces of information that were supposed to be redacted. These included sensitive details such as social security numbers, driver’s license numbers, and dates of birth.

On February 14, Focus submitted an OPRA requesting four detailed events. On February 16, I received a response with some of the requested items.  On February 18, Focus resubmitted the February 14 OPRA highlighting all the items that were not received. The police officer body cams of the event were omitted; All police reports, investigation reports, summons, and body cams regarding all unknown persons loitering, drinking in public, open containers of alcohol relating to February 7 at approximately 8:00 p.m. at Merida Transit Plaza Apartments; Video from a police camera located at the corner of Blackwell Street and Sussex Street on Wednesday, February 7 from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. In the February 16 response, we only received three minutes of the video and the requested period was not supplied.  As of this date, March 4, Dover Focus still has not received the footage from the area as requested. After my second request, the other items were received.

On February 21 Dover Focus submitted another OPRA request. It was answered on February 28, within the OPRA response timeline. The OPRA response was a total of 93 Pages. Each document contained at least two items that were supposed to be redacted.  Some of the documents contained information regarding Dover Focus (Morris Focus) and were not redacted.

On February 28, Dover Focus received two responses from an OPRA request from the Dover Police Department. The OPRA response consisted of 51 pages. Included in the pages were 66 items that should have been redacted and not released to the public. Interestingly, some of the items redacted were performed incorrectly.

Redactors must be respectful of the confidentiality of the data to be redacted, mindful of the need to preserve that confidentiality when they identify and redact it, and at all times in the future. Confidential material that should be redacted:

• Taxpayer ID numbers, social security numbers, and employer ID numbers are redacted by leaving out everything but the last four numbers. For example: xxx-xx-1234.
• Dates of birth are redacted by leaving out everything but the year. For example: xx/xx/1996.
• Telephone numbers, home addresses, and email addresses.
• Children’s names are redacted by leaving out everything but the child’s initials. For example: North West might be redacted as N.W or N—- W—. A child is under 18 years old.
• Financial account numbers are redacted by leaving out everything but the last four numbers. Financial accounts include credit or debit card numbers, bank account numbers, investment account numbers, and insurance account numbers. For example, you might redact a credit card number like this: xxxx-xxx-xxxx-1234.

Should a request for access to government records be denied, individuals have the right to challenge the decision through legal avenues, either by filing a complaint with the Government Records Council (GRC) or initiating a proceeding in the Superior Court of New Jersey.

DOVER — The Dover Democratic Committee held its Special Meeting for the 2024 Nominating Convention on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. This significant event took place at the Dover Free Public Library, situated at 32 East Clinton Street.

The purpose of the nominating convention is for Dover Democratic Committee members to determine which candidates for Town Council in the four wards will carry the official Democratic Party endorsement on the 2024 Democratic Primary ballot. This is commonly known as awarding “the line.” The results are:

Ward 1 Results:
The winner is Sandra Wittner
Sandra received 12 votes
Do Not Endorse received 10 votes
22 Total Votes

Ward 2 Results:
Winner is Geovani Estacio-Carrillo
Geovani received 18 votes
Do Not Endorse received 3 votes
21 Total Votes

Ward 3 Results:
Winner is Debora Acevedo
Debora received 16 votes
Karol Ruiz received 5 votes
21 Total Votes

Ward 4 Results:
The winner is Marcos Tapia
Marcos received 14 votes
Dennis Touhey received 9 votes
23 Total Votes

Congratulations to Sandra Wittner, Geovani Estacio-Carrillo, Debora Acevedo, and Marcos Tapia, who will all carry the Morris County Democratic Committee, Inc. slogan on the 2024 Democratic Primary ballot.

DOVER — This spacious colonial, located at 330 West Clinton Street, features three bedrooms, three full baths, numerous updates, a wonderful fenced backyard perfect for play and entertaining, and ample parking. Conveniently situated near major routes (80, 46) and the Rockaway Townsquare Mall. The listing agent for this property was Pietro Piccolo from United Real Estate.

The property was listed on August 12 for $479,000 and sold on January 13 for $485,000. Moreover, the 2023 property taxes totaled $9,708, reflecting a 6.8% increase compared to the previous year’s $9,090. 375 West Clinton Street also recently sold for $470,000.

MORRIS COUNTY — Assemblywoman Aura Dunn’s legislation creating a process to certify sober living homes and owners would protect patients in recovery and support a state agency’s recommendations following its report on widespread misconduct in New Jersey’s addiction rehabilitation industry.

“By certifying sober living homes and operators, New Jersey could hold them accountable for meeting industry best practices that prioritize the needs of patients recovering from drug addiction,” Dunn (R-Morris) said. “It would also provide peace of mind to the residents and their families that they are receiving the quality care they deserve in a drug-free environment.”

The state’s Commission of Investigation released a report last week describing misconduct and unethical practices among New Jersey’s drug rehabilitation facilities. Bolstering the regulation of the state’s sober living homes was among the commission’s recommendations to address the findings of overdoses and illicit drugs in homes, and an untold number of unlicensed operations subjecting unwitting patients to harm. The commission also suggested enacting legislation to crack down on deceptive marketing practices.

Dunn’s bill (A3230) requires the Department of Community Affairs to select a credentialing entity to conduct a voluntary annual certification program for sober living homes and recovery residence administrators or owners. The certification program would include criminal background checks for recovery administrators and employees, onsite and unannounced inspections of homes, and regular monitoring. Homes and administrators that falsely claim to be certified would be subject to a fine.

“There are recovery programs that are taking advantage of desperate families who are struggling to find resources to help their loved ones in the throes of addiction. My legislation would make it clear which programs are operating ethically and legally and direct families to legitimate sober living residences in New Jersey,” Dunn explained.

Certified sober living homes and their contact information would be published on a website. The Department of Community Affairs would direct health care practitioners and addiction treatment providers to the website and require them to only refer patients to a certified recovery residence or one that is owned by a licensed or certified treatment provider.

“New Jersey’s sober living homes should be a haven and beacon of hope for people in recovery, but the state is lacking safeguards and not fully enforcing the laws that do exist. Exposing vulnerable people suffering from addiction to additional harm will not only interfere with their recovery, it could cost them their lives. I want to showcase shining examples of places that are getting sober living right so we can connect people to the most effective help,” Dunn said.

DOVER — Dover PBA Local 107 is excited to announce its 19th Annual Beefsteak Dinner, scheduled for April 19, 2024. The festivities kick off at 7:00 p.m., with dinner served at 7:30 p.m., at the American Legion located at 2 Legion Place.

Tickets are $65.00 each, covering a full meal including dinner, salad, dessert, and beverages such as beer, wine, and soda, alongside prizes.

Please note that tickets will not be available for purchase at the door. For ticket details, reach out to any PBA member.