In a scathing public statement, Jackson PBA Local #168 tore into the Hannum-Trombetta-Hannum campaign for what it describes as “intentionally misleading and inaccurate” information in recent campaign ads. The local police union slammed the candidates for falsely implying endorsement from the PBA and manipulating facts about law enforcement resources in Jackson Township.
The Jackson PBA’s post, shared on social media, dismantles the Hannum-Trombetta campaign’s claims piece by piece. At the heart of the union’s frustration is an advertisement from the candidates that, according to the PBA, deceitfully suggests police union support for their campaign.
“We have in no way endorsed this campaign,” the PBA’s statement stressed, exposing the ad as nothing more than a misleading ploy to gain political points.
But the deception doesn’t stop there. The PBA further criticized Hannum and Trombetta for claiming that the police department received 10 new officers last year. According to the union, this statement is blatantly false. While the opportunity to hire 10 officers was made possible by Mayor Mike Reina, Councilman Mordy Burnstein, and Council President Jen Kuhn, only four officers were actually hired.
In yet another example of misleading information, the PBA addressed the Hannum-Trombetta ad’s claim about the understaffing of the Traffic Safety Unit. While the ad truthfully states the unit is currently staffed by only three officers, it omits a key fact: just two weeks ago, there were four personnel in the unit. However, the PBA explained, the previous supervisor—who also happened to be a former PBA president—was removed without incident and reassigned to patrol, bringing the unit down to its current inadequate staffing level. By omitting this crucial context, Hannum and Trombetta are seemingly twisting facts to fit a false narrative.
The PBA’s blistering message to the public stressed that the Hannums and Trombetta campaign misleading claims not only misrepresent the support of Jackson’s police officers but also distort the truth about resources and safety within the township. In an election season already rife with tension, the controversy raises serious questions about the integrity of candidates who resort to manipulation and falsehoods to sway voters.
As the PBA’s message concluded, the union said it hopes its statement clarifies any “misinformation being circulated.” But the underlying issue remains: can Jackson Township residents trust candidates who so blatantly mislead the public for political gain?