The above picture depicts Chief Michael C. DiBella and 16-year-old Erin Foreman of Lacey Township just after she received her Girl Scout Gold Award during a ceremony held in Lakewood, NJ.

Thanks to 16-year-old Erin Foreman of Lacey Township, on March 10th, 2017, the Lacey Township Police Department began the Lacey Lock Box Program. The lock box program was coordinated by Erin, who at the time was working toward receiving her Girl Scout Gold Award (similar level as a Boy Scout Eagle Scout). I am very proud to say that last evening, June 1st, 2017, I had the privilege of attending a Girl Scout ceremony at the Woodlake Country Club in Lakewood, NJ,  where I was able to see Erin, along with 24 other girl scouts, receive their gold award. The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest award a Girl Scout may earn and is a leadership based project with an 80-hour minimum requirement. Less than 5% of eligible Girl Scouts earn the Girl Scout Gold Award. Erin received her gold award as a direct result of all her hard work, including the Lacey Lock Box program. I couldn’t be more proud of her and I wish her the best of luck. Erin will be honored by the Lacey Township Governing Body on the evening of June 8th, 2017.

The below photo depicts Erin Foreman receiving her Gold Award.

Erin completed her 80 hours preparing the Lacey Lock Box program. This included meeting and presenting this program to numerous organizations throughout Lacey Township. These organizations included the Pheasant Run Community, the Rotary Club of Forked River, and the Municipal Alliance. In addition, Erin had presented her program to the Lacey Township Governing body on the evening of March 9th, 2017, the day before the program officially began.  Erin designed the entire idea for the Lacey Police Department, including the website link, which included the on-line printable application. Erin received over 70 lock boxes from donations alone.

On Tuesday, May 30th, 2017, J. Lorton and Company installed the first lock box at a residence in Pheasant Run. In addition to J. Lorton and Company, Chief Michael C. DiBella, Lieutenant Paul Sullivan, Jr., Officer Noah Schaffer and Erin Foreman, attended the very first install.  It was a priviledge to learn at the time, that the homeowner herself was a Girl Scout, who had also received her gold award as a young adult.

The below photos depict the first lock box installation in Lacey Township, on Tuesday, May 30th, 2017.

 

The Lacey Lock Box program is a free community program directed to those 55 years of age or older and those with potentially incapacitating medical conditions that live alone. This program is designed to assist first responders, including the Lacey Township Police Department, in reaching those in need of emergency assistance.   Only the Lacey Township Police Department will have access to the lock box.  The lock box is used in emergency situations where the door is locked and first responders must gain entry to the residence.  Use of the lock box can prevent costly property damage from forced entry, and reduce delays in caring for the resident. The lock box may also be used in the event of a well-being check. This program, however, is not a lock out service, as residents will not have access to the lock box, and it is for emergency use only.

J. Lorton and Company, located at 421 South Main Street in Forked River, has stepped forward and agreed to volunteer their time to install these lock boxes on a monthly basis, free of charge.

Guidelines for Eligibility

  1. Must be 55 years of age or older, or have a medical condition that is potentially incapacitating
  2. Must live alone, or be alone frequently

Terms and Conditions

  1. Must provide one or more keys for an entry door to the house
  2. Must grant the Lacey Township Police Department permission to access the lock box and use the key(s) in an emergency
  3. Must notify the Lacey Township Police Department if you move so that we may retrieve the lock box
  4. Must notify the Lacey Township Police Department if the locks are changed and must provide a new key(s)
  5. Only the Lacey Township Police Department will have access to the lock box

Liability Release

  1. This program requires the participant to complete a liability release.

Residents who are interested in signing up for this program may go to our website at https://laceypd.org/

Once on the Laceypd.org website, click the “Special Services” box at the top of the page and then scroll down until you see the “Lacey Lock Box” link. Click the link and you will be able to read further about the program. Additionally you may print the application and when it’s complete, please drop it off at the Lacey Township Police Department, located at 808 W. Lacey Road in Forked River. If you do not have access to transportation, you may contact the Lacey Township Police Department at 609-693-6636 and request a police officer pick the application up from you at your residence. If anyone has any additional questions about this program you may contact Lieutenant Paul Sullivan, Jr., at 609-693-6636 ext. 2577. Thank you.

 

-Chief Michael C. DiBella