Something interesting is going on with the Wildwood Crest Police Department.  I’ve been submitting Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests to try to find out what’s going on, and this is what I’ve found out so far.

On October 24, 2013, the Wildwood Crest Board of Commissioners passed Resolutions 1131-13 and 1132-13, which, respectively, a) hired Joseph Beisel as a “special outside investigator for purposes of conducting an internal affairs investigation concerning employees administrative proceedings,” and b) hired William G. Blaney, Esq. to perform some unspecified, but apparently related, services regarding the same investigation. Yet, according to Borough Clerk Janelle M. Holzmer’s November 26, 2013 responsive e-mail “no contract was entered into for Mr. Beisel.”

On November 18, 2013, the Commissioners passed Resolution 1144-13 which authorized James Fallon to act as a “special outside investigator for purposes of conducting an internal affairs investigation concerning employees administrative proceedings,” apparently replacing Mr. Beisel. (Copy of the resolution and contract with Fallon are on-line here.)  The Board’s decision to hire Fallon was made after the Board came out of closed (i.e. private) session and as the only item of business at the November 18, 2013 Board meeting. The resolution that authorized the Board’s November 18, 2013 closed session, at the link above, states that the reason for the private meeting was to discuss “long-term administrative strategic plan.” 

Anyone who has any information regarding what is really going on here may write to me at [email protected].  While I will maintain confidentiality, all are welcome to sign up for a free Hushmail account that will virtually assure anonymity.

Chairman of the New Jersey Libertarian Party's Open Government Advocacy Project. Please send all comments to [email protected]