Police officer honored at committee meeting

It was a light week at the Harrison Township Municipal Building. 

During the week of August 3, only one meeting was held. The committee meeting work session ran Monday evening with a swift agenda. The environmental commission meeting and joint land use board meeting, which typically would have met in the first week of the month, were not held. 

At the committee meeting, Kenneth Rodgers from the Harrison Township Police Department (HTPD) was honored before Mayor Adam Wingate, township committee, the town, and his wife and daughter. The work session began with the promotion of Rodgers from patrol lieutenant to the rank of sergeant. 

Rodgers, who has been part of HTPD since 2014, was sworn in with the approval of the mayor and the committee. (All committee members were present besides committeewoman Michelle Powell). Captain David Marro was there to congratulate the promotion, as well. Rodgers celebrated with those in attendance before heading out. 

The timing of Rodgers’ promotion aligns with the nationwide celebration of police officers and their community members. 

National Night Out (NNO) was celebrated across the country on August 4, a day after Rodgers’ assumed his new title. NNO is an annual, nationwide initiative that began in 1984 as a way to connect police departments with their local communities. Over the last 42 years, it has become a beloved tradition for police officers and residents. 

HTPD did not host its own NNO this year.

However, HTPD and Harrison Township Fire District (HTFD) hosted a community first responder meet and greet on July 15. The event was held at Cherry On Top Ice Cream Shoppe on Main Street, and the community had the opportunity to come chat and interact with the first responders in a similar fashion to how NNO runs. 

HTPD and HTFD had their police cars and fire trucks open for children to tour the vehicles and learn about the equipment the first responders use. There also was free face painting by Mullica Hill Art Center and plenty of treats from Cherry On Top. 

Additionally, HTPD, HTFD and Gloucester County Emergency Medical Services will host its Emergency Services Youth Week for Harrison Township students in grades sixth through 8th. The free program will run from August 25 to 27, and students will participate in interactive lessons on working as a first responder. More information can be found online. 

As far as what’s going on at the municipal building, here are the next few meetings to look out for:

Committee business meeting on Monday, August 17, historic preservation commission meeting on Tuesday, August 18, joint land use board meeting on Thursday, August 20 and economic development committee meeting board meeting on Monday, August 24. All meetings begin at 7 p.m.