In a contentious session on Wednesday afternoon, the Toms River Township Council approved an ordinance 5-2 to eliminate two captain positions from the police department’s roster.
Mayor Dan Rodrick has long insisted that reallocating funds from the eliminated captain positions towards hiring additional EMTs is imperative. Rodrick has noted that the shortage of EMTs is leading to wait times of up to 30 minutes for ambulance services in Toms River, making it a life-or-death issue.
The meeting was marked by intense exchanges, with both council members and attendees engaging in heated debates over the matter.
Some critics pointed out that while the ordinance’s title referenced three key areas within the police department, including captains, sworn officers, and media relations, it failed to adequately address all three aspects within its body.
In response to the decision, a recall petition has been initiated, seeking to either revoke the ordinance or subject it to a public vote. Organizers have launched a signature drive, aiming to gather enough support within 20 days to validate the petition.