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BERKELEY – Police and township officials are ramping up their “See Something-Say Something” campaign in the wake of major drug arrests on April 29 in a Holiday City South home.
“This will be in addition to the Berkeley Township Police Department “Tip Line,” Police Chief Karin T. DiMichele said. “It should be noted that the tip line has proved positive, as concerned citizens have alerted police which has led to multiple investigations and arrests.”
In fact, it was Berkeley residents’ tips that led to the arrest of five persons, four of whom listed their address as a Wojtyla Court home – the home where the arrests took place – for possession and distribution of a “large” quantity of crack cocaine on April 29, the chief said. Drug paraphernalia and a substantial amount of cash was also found by the SWAT team.
“This operation was the direct result of concerned citizens relaying their concerns to police…” the police department’s Facebook page says.
The Wojtyla Drive house was owned by the mother of Michelle Lanzieri, one of the women arrested in the drug bust, Chief DiMichele said.
“No neighborhood is immune,” the chief said. “The country and state as a whole are in the grips of an opioid epidemic that shows no discretion for age, gender, race or economic status.
“Our township and our senior communities are still safe and are great places to live,” DiMichele said.
The bottom line is, if you live in a senior village and see something unusual going on, notify the police.
“The people living here are the best sources for the police department,” said Township Councilwoman Judith Noonan, who is an official in the Senior Coalition in the township. “Many seniors are aware of what is going on in their neighborhoods. We all know who should be in our neighborhoods and who shouldn’t. If you see someone who looks suspect or a situation that just doesn’t look right, please report it to the police.”
Noonan said anyone who owns or rents a home in one of the senior villages is required to fill out a form listing who is living in their home. The renters must sign also, she said.
“As long as they are a certain age, we can’t say no,” Noonan said.
But none of the five arrested at the Wojtyla Court house was 55 years old, the minimum age for someone to buy a home in one of Berkeley’s senior villages. Four of them listed the Wojtyla Court home as their address.
Arrested were Taquan Pearson, 37, Wojtyla Court, charged with possession of cocaine and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. Nicole Vorhees, 48, Route 9, Bayville, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. Lynsay Leitner, 39, Wojtyla Court, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and issued a $350 warrant for failure to appear. Edwin Nieves, 42, Wojtyla Court, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. Michelle Lanzieri, 52, Wojtyla Court, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.
Drug dealers often use homes in senior communities because they offer anonymity in quiet neighborhoods and a false sense of security, according to Berkeley detectives.
Police called the Wojtyla Court home a “major supplier” of narcotics in Berkeley.
The “See Something – Say Something” campaign consists of signs placed throughout the town, postings on billboards, web sites, social media and notifications on Nixle.
“Berkeley Township is 42 square miles with 42,000 residents. Every resident can assist by being the eyes and ears of our community. So if you see something, say something,” Mayor Carmen Amato said. “I want to thank Councilman James J. Byrnes for suggesting we begin to promote the campaign.”
Residents can report a tip anonymously. To notify the police department of any suspicious activity, please call 732-341-1132, ext. 611.
“Stay vigilant,” Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer told nbc.philadelphia.com after the arrests. “Make sure you look out your windows. Make sure you check on your neighbors. And make sure you know who’s living there.”
There are roughly 21,000 residents in total in the senior communities in Berkeley, said Noonan, who has lived in Holiday City South for 18 years.
I work out there it’s horrible ☹️
I dunno. I never hear anything about Holiday City Silverton. I live there with my mom and barely hear about anything bad. We have a nice community over there.
Its got to be kept as a senior community no kids grandkids etc living there thats part of the problem they bring their shit there !
Rain Beesting I didn’t know that was allowed
Rain Beesting that’s the truth ?. Only seniors who meet the age requirements should be allowed to live there.
It’s too expensive to pay attorney to get them out. New Jersey eviction laws suck
Rain Beesting unfortunately you’d be surprised there are a lot of seniors with drug problems they are not just kids honest!!
Ginny Procaccini I believe that too
Laura Schneider Lange its not allowed but it happens all the time
Tj Lombardi yes in any place in NJ if they get mail at your place you’re kind of stuck bc it shows they have been living there it takes awhile to get anyone out
Rain Beesting I know people who live with a mom for the sole purpose of elderly care.
Rain Beesting In my senior community a few mothers (enables) have their addict adult children living with them!
Tracy Gibbons-Coverdale so you’re saying that someone can own a home but they can’t determine for themselves who can live under the roof of that home? I highly doubt that would go over to well with anyone.
Nick Masi there are rules in HC regarding age of children and how many live with you. In HH you may have one child over 19 living with you. Rules are in place to keep tax status for area. In HC South there were 5 drug dealing adults living in a foreclosure home. Neighbors should have reported what they saw to police.
Rain Beesting I’m sorry but I disagree. There are rules set in place. Our 26 year old daughter lives with us. She works and abides by the law and rules of HH. Don’t penalize law abiding people for the wrongdoing that some participate in.
Wendy Hiller-Szymczak totally agree with you not everyone or every house in a Senior community is like that people need to learn facts before running their mouths I tell ya
Just like the county buildings years ago, in north jersey, they had “senior buildings” until ADA decided that they had to include all disabilities and the poor old people had to live with drug addicts.
Now I’m in no way against addicts getting whatever help they need, but to do that to the poor elderly, some honestly just barely getting thru their day, was a disgrace.
Wendy Hiller-Szymczak well she is one of very few . Also it is an opinion ?
Jean Cottrell I can have my opinion I can say what I want just like you dont get your panties in a bunch over a comment . You have your opinion I have mine I am allowed to disagree with you .Also I will run my dam mouth anytime I want because I can so can you its called freedom of speech! Just because what I said you didnt like or agree with you got all pissed off oh well. I do not have to agree with you and you dont have to agree with me !
It’s been that way for at least 10 years lots of drug dealers are camped out in retirement communities they take over the elderly person home especially the ones who are really sick and are in bed a lot because they have no clue what’s going on
Okay but where though?
Michelle lanzeieri was my neighbor in brick got divorced because of her habbit. Lived with her mom in lionshead. Guess she got that place in her moms name to live there. Shes 52. Shes been arrested numerous times for drugs possesion ect. and at this point should be in jail. Her boyfriend i believe was finally put in jail as they were a team in this and his record was huge.