Letter to the Editor

Hightstown Police Director Responds to Crime Concerns

James Le Tellier said he has increased press releases to the media to keep the public informed.

To the Editor: I normally do not respond to blogs but enough is enough. Hightstown Police Department has not released any leads or descriptions at this time and yet, people are blaming illegal aliens, aka Hispanics, and taxi drivers for the increase of crime in Hightstown. This is outrageous and as Police Director I cannot, nor will not stand by and allow these racist attacks against member of this community to go on refuted. The reason that people are seeing an increase in crime is because it is my policy to inform you. I have instituted a policy of increasing press releases thus, keeping you informed and educated. I will not allow any portion of our community to be unfairly attacked or be targeted. - James K. Le Tellier Hightstown Police…

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Hightstown Police Director Names Acting Lieutenant

Borough Council approved the position at Tuesday’s meeting.

The Hightstown Police Department’s former acting police director was named acting lieutenant Tuesday night. The Borough Council approved police officer Frank Gendron’s temporary promotion from sergeant in a 5-0-1 vote, with an abstention from Rob Thibault.  The new position also comes with a raise, increasing his salary from $99,529 to $103,211.57, according to Borough Administrator Michael Theokas. When Gendron served as acting police director from Sept. 1 through February he did not receive an increase in pay. Police liaison and council president Lawrence Quattrone said Police Director James Le Tellier made his own assessment of the department and chose Gendron for the acting position. “He is definitely doing what we expected him to do…

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Hightstown Police Director Calls for Community Policing

James Le Tellier said he is available to meet with any members of the community.

Less than a month on the job, Hightstown’s new police director said he plans to take a more proactive approach toward policing in town, and wants there to be more community policing. “Where some people might see problems or concerns, I see opportunities,” Police Director James Le Tellier said. Le Tellier told Patch that, this year, he wants to reach out to different types of community groups in town, from schools and religious groups, to civic organizations, and build partnerships.  “Through community policing, with more involvement from the community, we want to address not just the crime, and hopefully reduce the fear of crime, but you can also take preventative measures and prevent crime from happening and improve the quality of life …

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Week in Review

Week in Review: Council Hires Police Director, Car Thief Arrested

A review of the week's top stories.

Hightstown Names New Police Director The Hightstown council unanimously approved the appointment of a Lacey Township police veteran as Highstown's first civilian police director Monday. Click here to read more. Locals Share Photos From Giants' Super Bowl Celebration Area residents who attended the Giants Super Bowl win in New York through the Canyon of Heroes and at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium uploaded photos of the celebration. Click here to see more photos.  East Windsor Police Arrest Alleged Car Thief A 22-year-old man was arrested and charged with stealing several cars, including a 2008 Ford F350 from Haldeman Ford and a Mercedes Benz from a Westwood dealership in Bergen County, according to East Windsor and Westwood police. Click …

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Updated: Hightstown Names New Police Director

James Le Tellier was appointed as the first civilian head of the Hightstown Police Department, after a 6-0 vote by council.

The Hightstown council unanimously approved the appointment of a Lacey Township police veteran as Highstown's first civilian police director Monday. James K. Le Tellier, who retired from Lacey's police department in 2005, will start immediately, and his contract runs for three years. In 2012 and 2013, Le Tellier’s salary will be $75,000, and his contract calls for a 3 percent raise in the third year, according to Borough Administrator Michael Theokas. He is not eligible for pension or health benefits since he is a retired police officer. In December, the Borough Council approved a $50,000 to $85,000 salary range for the position. Le Tellier, a Forked River resident, served as a lieutenant and division commander for Lacey's police …

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Hightstown Council Expected to Name Police Director

The resolution calls for a three year term for the named director.

The Hightstown Borough Council is expected to name the new civilian police director at tonight’s council meeting. The appointment, which is listed on the council agenda, will be for a period of three years, according to the proposed resolution. The Borough Council approved a $50,000 to $85,000 salary range at the Dec. 19 council meeting, and at that time the search committee had narrowed it down to three candidates for the position.  Those three candidates were scheduled for interviews with the Borough council on Jan. 3 and Jan. 5. In the interim, Hightstown police Sgt. Frank Gendron has been serving as the acting police director after Police Chief James Eufemia retired effective Sept. 1 and the council approved the director position with …

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Hightstown Borough Council Approves Police Director Salary Range

The council will interview three candidates during the first week of January.

A salary range was established for the new Hightstown Borough Police Director position, which is expected to be filled in early 2012, according to Mayor Steven Kirson. The Borough Council approved a $50,000 to $85,000 salary range for the new police director in an ordinance passed unanimously at Monday's council meeting. “From my understanding and reviewing the three applicant’s resumes, I don’t think we can make a bad decision,” Kirson said. The search committee for the new director, which is made up of Borough Administrator Michael Theokas, council members Selena Bibens and Larry Quattrone, and former Cranbury Police Chief Harry Kleinkauf, received 56 applications, and interviewed 12 of those candidates. The council will interview three …

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