Republican At-Large Council Candidate Questions Gcity Council About Shooting

Martha N. Ray, 84, of Gloucester City

TCNJ Pushes Past Rowan Down the Stretch, 77-72

Republican At-Large Council Candidate Questions Gcity Council About Shooting

Thursday, February 13, 2025

The suspects stopped their car in the middle of Ridgeway Street, stepped out, and walked a few steps before discharging seven rounds. The erring sound of the shots echoing through a residential neighborhood is something you would expect to hear in a big city like Philadelphia or Camden City never in Gloucester City. The suspects drove away in the white car seen in the red circle.

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ(FEBRUARY 13, 2025)(CNBNEWS)--During the recent Gloucester City mayor and council caucus meeting on February 10, 2025, Republican Council At-Large candidate Sandy Reed addressed the Mayor and Council. She confronted them about the unsettling decision to keep details of a late-night shooting in the 600-unit block of Ridgeway Street concealed from the public for an extended period.

Reed sought transparency from the officials in a time of uncertainty. Yet, her earnest request for answers was met only with silence; neither the Mayor nor the council members offered a response.

Her remarks were also directed toward Brian Morrell, the City Chief of Police and temporary City Administrator, but he was absent from the meeting. Morrell's comments would have been central to addressing the community’s concerns.

The criminal act happened late on a Sunday night, January 12 around 11:30 PM. The video of the incident was published on CNBNews. That news site also submitted an OPRA request seeking a copy of the police investigation which hasn't been released. One of the two suspects was discovered in a Philadelphia jail; he was being held for an unrelated crime. The other suspect remains at large. Seven shots were discharged by the two suspects toward the busy highway of Broadway that evening. Fortunately, no one was injured.

Reed's letter reads as follows:

Good evening, Mayor, City Council and Chief Morrell, February 10,2025

I would appreciate it if you would let me make my full statement without interruptions so I can get my full 5 minutes. I have started my timer.I will give you all a copy of my statement afterward.

First, I was angry when it was brought to my attention that the Gloucester City Republican Facebook page was asked to remove the video of the shooting that happened 20 days prior. I feel that the public had the right to know what was happening in the community.The next day Mr. Cleary released the same video on GloucesterCityNews.net. It still took the police department 4 days to send out a press release about the shooting.Before, someone says again it was under investigation, a statement could have been made saying just that.

Second, Although I was not able to make the mayor’s breakfast to hear his “State of the City” address, I am told he stated “Crime isn’t that bad. The main issue is a 12-year-old repeat car thief.”He said this in a room full of people knowing that 13 days earlier there were at least 7 shots fired on Ridgeway Street towards Broadway a main throughfare. This is the second shooting in the city in a year’s time that I am aware of. There could be more the public does not know.

Third, this one is directed to the chief. When you were sworn in back in 2016 your statement when interviewed was and I quote “As far as any special plans, we’re definitely going to become more involved in community-oriented policing. We need to get everyone in the community involved in solving the city’s problems/issues.” I got this quote from the GloucesterCityNews.net dated Friday January 22, 2016.How is not telling the community about this shooting keeping them involved to help solve problems/issues?How many times does the police department put out an “Attempt to Identify?” But yet were silent on this shooting.

Lastly, this was a public safety issue. What would have happened if one or more of those bullets struck an innocent person/people walking or driving by?Were all the bullets located? What damage was done by these bullets? There are so many more questions, but I will stop here.

I would like to hear your responses to my concerns.

Thank you for your time

Sandy Reed

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Comments

Reed sought transparency from the officials in a time of uncertainty. Yet, her earnest request for answers was met only with silence; neither the Mayor nor the council members offered a response.

Reed's letter reads as follows:

Good evening, Mayor, City Council and Chief Morrell, February 10,2025

I would appreciate it if you would let me make my full statement without interruptions so I can get my full 5 minutes. I have started my timer.I will give you all a copy of my statement afterward.

First, I was angry when it was brought to my attention that the Gloucester City Republican Facebook page was asked to remove the video of the shooting that happened 20 days prior. I feel that the public had the right to know what was happening in the community.The next day Mr. Cleary released the same video on GloucesterCityNews.net. It still took the police department 4 days to send out a press release about the shooting.Before, someone says again it was under investigation, a statement could have been made saying just that.

Second, Although I was not able to make the mayor’s breakfast to hear his “State of the City” address, I am told he stated “Crime isn’t that bad. The main issue is a 12-year-old repeat car thief.”He said this in a room full of people knowing that 13 days earlier there were at least 7 shots fired on Ridgeway Street towards Broadway a main throughfare. This is the second shooting in the city in a year’s time that I am aware of. There could be more the public does not know.

Third, this one is directed to the chief. When you were sworn in back in 2016 your statement when interviewed was and I quote “As far as any special plans, we’re definitely going to become more involved in community-oriented policing. We need to get everyone in the community involved in solving the city’s problems/issues.” I got this quote from the GloucesterCityNews.net dated Friday January 22, 2016.How is not telling the community about this shooting keeping them involved to help solve problems/issues?How many times does the police department put out an “Attempt to Identify?” But yet were silent on this shooting.

Lastly, this was a public safety issue. What would have happened if one or more of those bullets struck an innocent person/people walking or driving by?Were all the bullets located? What damage was done by these bullets? There are so many more questions, but I will stop here.

I would like to hear your responses to my concerns.

Thank you for your time

Sandy Reed