The above picture depicts Chief Michael C. DiBella and 16-year-old Girl Scout Erin Foreman from Lacey Township shortly after she presented her lock box program to the Lacey Township Committee during last evening’s Township meeting. After presenting her lock box program, Erin Foreman officially handed the program over to the Lacey Township Police Department.

The Lacey Township Police Department is proud to announce our Lacey Lock Box Program. This lock box program was coordinated by 16-year-old Erin Foreman of Lacey Township. Erin is a girl scout and has been working toward her Gold Award (Similar level as a Boy Scout Eagle Scout). Erin volunteered over 80 hours preparing this program, including meeting and presenting this program to numerous organizations in Lacey Township. This included the Pheasant Run Community, the Rotary Club of Forked River, and the Municipal Alliance Senior luncheon. In addition, Erin presented her program to the Lacey Township Governing body this past evening (March 9th, 2017).  Erin designed the idea for the Lacey Police website link, which included the on-line printable application. Erin received over 70 lock boxes from donations alone. The lock box program was officially handed over to the Lacey Township Police Department at last evening’s Township Meeting, after receiving comments from the Mayor and Township Committee, along with Chief Michael C. DiBella. The Lacey Lock Box program officially started this morning, March 10th, 2017, at 8:00 a.m.

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. 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 has agreed to volunteer their time to install these lock boxes on a monthly basis. The best part is J. Lorton and Company will be installing these lock-boxes free of charge to the residents of Lacey Township.

This program is a Girl Scout 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.

 

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.

I want to thank everyone who made this program possible for our community, including but not limited to Erin Foreman, her parents, J. Lorton and Company, Lt. Paul Sullivan, Jr., Township Administrator Veronica Laureigh and the Lacey Township Committee.

Erin Foreman is an amazing and talented young lady and we all wish her the best of luck. I am looking forward to her receiving her Girl Scout Gold Award in June 2017. Job well done!!

The below picture depicts in no particular order Erin Forman, her parents, Chief Michael C. DiBella, Lieutenant Paul Sullivan, Jr., and William J. Recevuto from the Rotary of Forked River, during the Lacey Township meeting on March 9th, 2017.

-Chief Michael C. DiBella