The Mount Olive Township Police Department is back in the Elementary School class rooms and teaching students to live safe, healthy, drug-free lives. The Mount Olive Township Police is teaching L.E.A.D. (Law Enforcement Against Drugs) and the Too Good for Drugs and Violence Curriculum. The lessons in the program introduce and review a series of skills to prepare children to make healthy choices and resist unhealthy behaviors in life; including bullying, alcohol, and drug use. The model, Too Good for Drugs, is backed by both our state’s Law Enforcement and Educational Leaders.
The program was introduced in the Fall of 2016 at Tinc Road School and after positive feedback by both the school and the students the program was introduced district-wide for the 2016-2017 school year.
Chief Stephen Beecher said:
“We have eight trained officers who will be teaching this program. The officers are Sergeant Michael Russell, Sergeant David Hering, Corporal Lonnie Elbaum, and Officers Braikovich, Grimm, Sciscione, Inga, and Mullooly."
Sergeant Michael Russell grew up in Mount Olive. He is a 2000 graduate of Mount Olive High School. He graduated from the County College of Morris with an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice and is a veteran police officer of 13 years. He is presently assigned to the Patrol Divsion.
Sergeant David Hering grew up in Vernon New Jersey. He graduated from Sussex County Community College with an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts. Detective Hering has been on a the police department since 2012 and is presently assigned to the Patrol Divsion.
Corporal Lonnie Elbaum grew up in Washington Township in Morris County. He obtained his Associate’s Degree from Kaplan University in Criminal Justice. Officer Elbaum worked two years as a Communications Officer in Mount Olive before being hired as a Police Officer in 2012. He is currently assigned to the Patrol Division.
Officer Brian Braikovich grew up in Bayonne. He is a graduate of New Jersey City University where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Health Education/Driver Education. He is currently assigned to the Patrol Division. Officer Braikovich is a former D.A.R.E. and School Resource Officer. He is a 23 year veteran of the police force.
Officer Casey Grimm grew up in Morristown. He obtained his Bachelor’s Degree from Seton Hall University in Criminal Justice. Following graduation, he played two and a half years in the St. Louis Cardinals’ minor league affiliates. He has been on the police department 17 years. He is currently assigned to the Patrol Division.
Officer Michael Sciscione grew up in Rockaway. He attended the County College of Morris and William Paterson University; receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from the latter. Officer Sciscione has been on the police department since 2013. He is presently assigned to the Patrol Division.
Officer Gina Inga graduated from Centenary in 2011 with a BA in Sociology, Criminal Justice Focus. She was previously a 9-1-1 dispatcher since 2013 and has been a Police Officer since 2015.
Sergeant Tyler Mullooly joined the department in 2017. He is currently assigned to the Patrol Divsion and is a primary LEAD instructor.
The Program Director for L.E.A.D, Sergeant Russell stated:
"The Officers selected to teach this program, as well as myself are excited for the opportunity to interact with the youth of the township and to teach a program that promotes positive attitudes and choices.
I grew up in Mount Olive Township and remember the drug-free curriculum having a positive effect on my life. I believe that a direct relationship between the schools, parents, and community, that this curriculum can provide; gives kids the opportunity to adopt a positive, healthy mind set which can remain with them throughout their lives.
Sergeant Hering, Corporal Elbaum, Officer Brian Braikovich, Officer Casey Grimm,Officer Michael Sciscione, Officer Inga, and Officer Mullooly are all excited to build a rapport with the youth of Mount Olive Township while providing them fundamentals of being drug free and making positive life choices.”
Chief Beecher said:
“We believe that the program will also allow officers and the youth of the community to interact in a more fun and relaxed atmosphere and strengthen the existing bond between law enforcement and the community. We appreciate the support of the schools, Mayor and Town Council in bringing this program forward.”
