Clinton Township Newsletter

2 s e p t e m b e r 2 0 2 1 W W W . C L I N T O N T W P N E W S L E T T E R . C O M SHADES | MOTORIZED SHADES | BLINDS | DRAPES | PLANTATION SHUTTERS You Deserve Them! 908.236.2688 14 Lebanon Plaza n WindowExpressionsNJ.net Ask Officer Raff: Before we dive into answering our readers' questions, I just wanted to take a moment to congratulate the recruits of Clinton Township Junior Police and Emergency Services Academy Class 16-21. On August 6, 2021, they completed a challenging week- long program, where they received a small taste of the law enforcement and emergency medical services professions. The week included practical exercises, physical training, drill and ceremony and many other fun and challenging activities. The recruits worked hard all week and were rewarded with a well- attended graduation ceremony, where they were recognized by their families and dignitaries, including Hunterdon County P r o s e c u t o r R e n e e R o b e s o n , Councilman Marc Strauss, Police Chief Thomas DeRosa and SBES Chief Frank Setnicky, among many others. Clinton Township Police and South Branch Emergency Services, in partnership with several local businesses sponsored this academy and are already working on next year's program; please reach out if you are interested, have any questions or would like to help support the program. Dear Officer Raff, September means back-to-school, and I know that the school buses will soon be everywhere. If a bus seems to be idling on the side of the road without its stop- sign out, are we allowed to pass it? And if I'm driving on Route 22 West, am I supposed to stop for a school bus that's stopped on the 22 East side? Signed, A Little Confused Dear Confused, The law governing traffic regulations pertaining to school buses in NJ is 39:4-128.1. According to this law, on a two-lane highway, or other road not divided by some type of physical barrier, stop at least 25 feet from a stopped school bus with flashing red lights whether or not you are traveling in the same direction as the bus. Stop at least 25 feet from a stopped school bus with flashing red lights if you are on a divided highway and on the same side of the highway as the school bus. Remain stopped until all students are safely on the bus or on the side of the highway, and until the bus's flashing red lights have been turned off. Vehicles approaching a stopped school bus – but from the opposite side of a divided highway – that is picking up or letting off students may pass at 10 mph or less and must remain at that speed until completely past the stopped school bus. Check out this link for a helpful diagram: www.nj.gov/education/finance/transportation/ training/BusSafety.pdf. So if you are driving on Route 22 West and a school bus is stopped, with its red lights flashing, on Route 22 East, you do not have to stop (since Route 22 is divided highway) however you must slow down to 10 mph or less until you have completely passed the stopped bus. Regarding a school bus idling on the shoulder without its red lights on, you are not required to stop, however, it is always a good idea to exercise caution when driving by any vehicle stopped in the shoulder. – Sincerely, Officer Raff Dear Officer Raff, It seems to me that it should be the bus driver's job to drive the bus – they shouldn't have to also be the disciplinarian for the kids. If children are acting up on the bus and the driver is distracted and frustrated, doesn't that create a dangerous driving situation? Would the CTPD ever consider having off-duty officers ride the buses to keep things calm? (It also might be a great way for the CTPD to get to know our kids before they become teenagers.) Sincerely, A Concerned Parent Dear Concerned Parent, We agree, the bus driver's job is to drive the bus, and distracted driving is never safe, no matter what kind of vehicle we're discussing. Therefore, it is made very clear to the children that riding the school bus is a privilege and if they do not abide by the bus driver's rules or cause an unsafe condition, that privilege will be revoked by the school. We leave the "policing" of school buses up to the school districts (unless there is a crime or offense which requires police action) and work to make sure our officers get a chance to know the kids in our schools by conducting walk-throughs of the schools, having officers teach programs and classes in schools and participating in community events with the students, such as the Junior Police and Emergency Services Academy. – Sincerely, Officer Raff n Officer Raffaella Vastola grew up locally in Kingwood Township, and has been in law enforcement for over 18 years, serving almost seven years with CTPD. She and her husband currently live in Raritan Township with their five children, two of whom serve in the military (Marine Corps and the Navy). Officer Raff thinks Clinton Township is a wonderful place to work, live and raise a family, and she is very proud to serve and protect our community with a dedicated group of men and women who help to keep it that way for everyone. n Do you have questions for our local Clinton Township Police Department? Ask Officer Raff by emailing: ctnl@comcast.net or: rvastola@ctpd.org and add the words "Ask Officer Raff" in the subject line. Locally Owned and Operated by Phil & Diane Koury 185 Center St., Clinton | 908.735.4499 www.MSIPlumbingAndRemodeling.com 1109 Rte. 31 S. Lebanon, NJ 08833 New Jersey Licensed Master Plumber #8722 908.735.4438 Your Plumbing Experts!

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