Acting Police Chief Roman McKeon Answers Questions Regarding Recent Shootings

3/26/18 Caucus

Acting Police Chief
Roman McKeon

PERTH AMBOY – Chief Roman McKeon came up to speak regarding the concerns of residents and the Council about recent shootings that took place in a short period of time. He said this is not the norm.

“The shooting that took place on Brighton Avenue on 2/13/18 was between two groups of rivals. Of the people involved, one group lived on Watson Avenue and the other group lived on Brighton Avenue.  One member from Watson Avenue went to Brighton Avenue and shot 2 people. There was suspected illegal activity going on at the Brighton Avenue address. All involved were arrested (which include the shooter and people that got shot).

“The second shooting that took place happened at Smith and Prospect Streets. That shooter was associated with the people from Brighton Avenue, but that person was not involved in the first shooting. The suspect’s house was on Watson Avenue. There was a surveillance camera that was in a local chicken place. There were shots fired, but no injuries. On Brighton Avenue, drugs were found, and there were eight arrests. Suspects from Watson Avenue were also arrested.

“The Police Department has an Anticrime Initiative Program. There was also a robbery at the Big Pantry Supermarket on Amboy Avenue. The individual who was involved in that robbery hit six other places in Middlesex County. When the police caught up with the suspect, $30,000 worth of drugs and cash were confiscated. There were a total of 13 people arrested. We are targeting four troubled areas in town. We know which individuals to look out for. We go to the barbershops and other establishments where they frequent.

“There have been 121 arrests since the first shooting. We have undercover cops working. Some people involved in these crimes have been released. All of these individuals have been arrested multiple times. The stabbing on Watson Avenue was a domestic dispute. A woman was stabbed by someone she met on Facebook. There was a robbery at one of the 7-11’s at 2 a.m. The suspect used a nail gun. All involved were Perth Amboy residents.”

McKeon then stated that there are gangs in Perth Amboy and he named two of them: DDP (Dominicans Don’t Play) and Triterions.

“These gangs have been committing crime since they met in grade school,” he said. “They know the system and they get bolder. We have no control over the laws.”

He then indicated the Police will no longer tolerate this kind of behavior.

Councilman Helmin Caba then spoke up, “We need to start at the grade school level to deter youth from crime.”

McKeon responded, “In the past, we had the DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Program, which we are going to start up again. Youth programs  are in place to get the youth to start trusting the Police.”

Councilman Gonzalez wanted to compliment the Police Officers on their restraint during one of the recent shootings when they were being shot at.

McKeon thanked the Council for their support.

Councilman Fernando Irizarry also thanked the Chief and wanted him to continue to send the message that the City cannot tolerate this behavior.

McKeon continued, “We (the Police Department) will continue to watch and monitor these groups.”