Morris Prosecutor: NJ Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness Presentation in Rockaway Twp.

Published on March 16, 2018

Morris Clergy Gather on Homeland Security Issues

Officials of the State Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness and the FBI met with Morris County clergy recently at an quarterly Morris County Interfaith Advisory Council meeting held at Christ Church in Rockaway Township.

(JPG, 797KB) (l/r) FBI Special Agent Tim Gallagher, NJOHSP Director Jared Maples, Prosecutor Fredric Knapp, and Deputy Chief of Investigations Stephen Wilson

Guest speakers included Jared Maples, Director of the N.J. Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness; FBI Special Agent in Charge Tim Gallagher; Pastor David Ireland of Christ Church; Jeff Gold of NJOHSP; and Chief of the Grants Bureau at the NJOHSP Dan Morocco.(PNG, 550KB)

Representing Morris County were Prosecutor Fredric Knapp and Deputy Chief of Investigations Stephen Wilson.

Director Maples stressed that first responders in New Jersey are working closely with his office to become first preventers, aiming to stop incidents before they occur.

Part of that effort requires a good working relationship with community leaders, including clergy and county leaders, to ensure that if an incident occurs, all stakeholders already know each other and how they can interact, said FBI Special Agent in Charge Tim Gallagher.

Suspicious Activity Reporting plays a major part in the work done by Homeland Security, said Jeff Gold, who explained the agency has partnerships with the likes of the New York Giants and Jets, and NJ Transit, who are helping to spread the See Something, Say Something campaign.

(PNG, 50KB)Pastor Ireland said his church is focused on reaching younger people, and to create a safe space for them to speak about their personal problems, or about larger concerns facing the world.

Interfaith Advisory Council meetings are held quarterly in Morris County to create strong and lasting partnerships between local clergy, community leaders, law enforcement, and the Office of Homeland Security. They give these various members of the community a platform to host positive discussions, concerning the best methods of ensuring that all parties have the capability to work together to create a safe environment.

The Morris County Prosecutor's Office embraces the opportunity to work closely with local clergy and community leaders throughout Morris County, said Prosecutor Knapp.

Inquiries should be directed to Public Information Officer Peter DiGennaro at pressinquiry@co.morris.nj.us or 973-829-8159.