Second Operation Take Back of 2019 Yields Significant Results
Published on October 29, 2019
October 29, 2019
On October 26, 2019, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office participated in Operation Take Back in partnership with three local police departments. Operation Take Back is held annually twice a year, with the first implementation occurring in April. Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon, First Assistant Prosecutor Thomas A. Zelante, Acting Chief of Investigations Chris Kimker, Hanover Township Chief of Police Mark Roddy, Morris Township Chief of Police Mark DiCarlo, Morris Plains Chief of Police Jason Kohn, Randolph Township Chief of Police David Stokoe, and, all aided in the coordination of this event.
Residents of Morris County were able to bring unused or expired prescription drugs to three designated locations from 10:00am through 2:00pm. The three locations were the Shoprite of Greater Morristown in Hanover Township, the ACME Supermarket in Randolph, and the Stop and Shop Supermarket in Morris Plains. All drugs collected at the sites were weighed and properly destroyed by law enforcement officials.
The total weight in drugs collected from each location are as follows:
- Shoprite of Greater Morristown: 85 pounds
- Stop and Shop of Morris Plains: 125 pounds
- ACME of Randolph: 106 pounds
Total: 316 pounds
Last April, the Operation Take Back event yielded a total of 659 pounds: 226 pounds at the Shoprite of Greater Morristown, 157 pounds at the Stop and Shop of Morris Plains and 276 pounds at the ACME of Randolph.
Morris County Prosecutor Knapp said, Operation Take Back in Morris County has consistently yielded impressive results. Once again, our community has embraced this important initiative in our continued fight against drug misuse and abuse. We would like to thank our law enforcement partners and all three commercial locations for working with our office to ensure a very productive day.
The community is reminded that if you were unable to drop off your medication during Operation Take Back, there are permanent drop box locations nearest you, which are listed at http://safehealthymorris.org/dropbox
Inquiries concerning this press release should be directed to Public Information Officer Meghan Knab at pressinquiry@co.morris.nj.us or 973-829-8159.
From left to right: Randolph Police Department Det. Kevin Clark, Randolph Police Department Sgt. Jeff Goral, Morris County Prosecutor's Office Det. Martina Ruminska, and MCPO Det./Supv. Carolina Moreno.
From left to right: Morris County Prosecutor's Office Acting Chief Chris Kimker, Morris County Prosecutor's Office Det. Mark Groninger, Hanover Police Department Officer David Littman, First Assistant Prosecutor Tom Zelante, MCPO Det./Supv. Leah Atterbury, Morris Township Police Officer Robert Hydock, and MCPO Capt. Stephen Ortiz.
From left to right: Morris Plains Police Department Lt. Michael Rolph, Morris County Prosecutor's Office Det. Mary Falzarano, Acting Chief Chris Kimker, First Assistant Prosecutor Tom Zelante, MCPO Det./Supv. Patrick LaGuerre, and Morris Plains Police Officer Anne Marie Ferris.
Medications collected on Oct. 26, 2019 by the Morris County Prosecutor's Office in Morris County locations.