NEW
JERSEY STATE POLICE ISSUE WARNING ON LAW ENFORCEMENT SOLICITATIONS
Superintendent Santiago Reminds That State Police Is Not In The Fundraising Business
West Trenton - State Police Superintendent Joseph J. Santiago today issued a statewide alert warning residents about potentially misleading fundraising solicitations by organizations and individuals claiming to be associated with the New Jersey State Police.
According to Superintendent Santiago, citizens and businesses across the state are being solicited for substantial cash contributions and donations for various "police-related" organizations, scholarship and educational funds and/or community-based programs. In some instances, solicitors are misrepresenting themselves as members of, or associated with, the New Jersey State Police.
"Telephone fundraisers attempt to convince the public that their fundraising activities are supported by the New Jersey State Police and /or various State Police-connected scholarships or programs. This is simply not true. The New Jersey State Police does not engage in any fundraising activity and State Troopers, their unions, associations and fraternities do not solicit funds from the public," Superintendent Santiago said.
The State Police Superintendent also noted that solicitations for the New Jersey State Policeman's Benevolent association (PBA) are in no way connected to the State Police and that State Troopers are not represented or part of the PBA. In fact, the State Police nor any of its bargaining agents or organizations of present or former Troopers endorse or engage in telephone fundraising solicitations.
Additionally, Santiago reminded the public that donations to groups, which give decals and promise special treatment to donors is misleading. "The New Jersey State Police does not administer the motor vehicle laws of the state on the basis of contributions to charities offering decals and stickers," he said.
The State Police is urging citizens contacted by phone solicitors to ask hard questions about the organization, its goals and use of funds before sending money. If the questions are not answered satisfactorily - don't donate.
Reni Erdos, Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs, encourages anyone with inquiries, concerns or complaints about police-related fundraising activities or organizations to contact the State Division of Consumer Affairs charity information hotline at (973) 504-6215. The hotline is operational between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
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