The meeting commenced with the swearing-in of new police officers, including Lieutenant Dennis V., Michael Cen, and Adnan Zali, who pledged to uphold the Constitution and perform their duties impartially. This ceremony marked a step in bolstering the town’s law enforcement capabilities.

In a major update, the council discussed a recent crime surge, particularly vehicle thefts. Mr. McGill presented the monthly public safety report for July, revealing that the Cinnaminson Township Police Department responded to 2,545 incidents and made 29 arrests. He raised concerns about a notable increase in vehicle thefts, with Cinnaminson experiencing 11 thefts this year, particularly spiking in July and August. The thefts were linked to the absence of immobilizer systems in certain vehicles, primarily targeting brands like Hyundai and Dodge. Residents were urged to download current software updates to enhance their vehicles’ anti-theft measures.

Further emphasizing the focus on crime and safety, a detailed report highlighted a recent robbery incident. A suspect from Philadelphia, believed to be part of a larger criminal group involved in over thirty robberies across multiple states, including Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, was apprehended after a high-speed chase. This coordinated effort among the Cinnaminson Police Department and neighboring agencies, including the Maple Shade, Riverton, and Pyramus Police Departments, along with the ATF, led to the suspect facing multiple charges and being remanded to Burlington County Jail. The Cinnaminson Police Department expressed gratitude for the assistance from other law enforcement agencies during this incident.

Shifting focus to infrastructure, PSEG representatives provided an extensive overview of the ongoing gas main replacement project in Cinnaminson. The project, which began in February 2021, saw the completion of gas infrastructure upgrades, including mains and services, by June of the current year. Approximately 60% of the town’s roads were affected, with around 45 miles of work completed, impacting about 180 streets and serving approximately 3,000 customers. Despite the extensive work, the complaint rate remained low at 1%, underscoring effective collaboration with local authorities. Paving efforts were underway, with 168 out of 180 impacted streets already paved. A specific project in the Morgan area required additional settling time before paving could commence, planned for late September.

Community programs were also a significant topic of discussion. Deputy Mayor Krael reported on upcoming events, including a remembrance of the 9/11 attacks scheduled for September 11 at the municipal building. Updates on Parks and Recreation included the reopening of the tennis courts at Ravenswood Park following refurbishment and the extension of the summer concert series to September 5 with a performance by a Jersey Shore Rock and Soul band.

The council also addressed Ordinance 2024-8, which aimed to amend the code of ordinances related to flood damage prevention. This ordinance sought to repeal the existing chapter on flood damage and adopt new provisions aligning with updated regulations from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Public comments were invited, with one resident raising concerns about permitting practices in flood zones, particularly regarding vinyl fences and pools that appeared to violate existing regulations. The council approved the ordinance.

Public comments highlighted concerns about local roads and animal welfare initiatives. A resident expressed frustration over the state of North Fork Landing Road, describing it as having multiple colors, extensive cracking, and paint stains, deeming it borderline embarrassing for the community. Wendy Sanders, a local volunteer for animal welfare, advocated for the Trap Neuter Release (TNR) program to manage the population of feral cats humanely. She argued for a more humane approach, emphasizing the need to educate the community about responsible cat care and the benefits of TNR in preventing unwanted litters and promoting overall health through vaccinations.