Endorsement Letter

Four years ago, the Bridgewater P.B.A. was proud to support then-candidate, Matthew Moench, during the mayoral primary election. Based on what we witnessed and experienced under Former Mayor Hayes, we felt that it was necessary to express our viewpoint about which candidate stood behind the best interest of public safety and law enforcement. Recently, Former Mayor Hayes switched parties in order to run against current Mayor Moench for the Mayoral General Election, in what will be a repeat of the election four years ago. In light of this, the following facts are recognized by the Bridgewater P.B.A. in support for Mayor Moench for his re-election:

In 2015, under Former Mayor Hayes’ leadership, the Bridgewater Police Dispatch was dissolved. Former Mayor Hayes promised both the police department and the residents of Bridgewater that the new service would be equal to or better than what the current dispatch provided. Former Mayor Hayes also stated that there would be cost savings to the township of $4.5 million over ten years. Unfortunately, nearly eight years later, those promises have yet to be fulfilled. At the time, Councilman Moench boldly stood against the disbanding of the Bridgewater Dispatch for the safety of both the public and police officers.

In 2013, in an unprecedented attack on collective bargaining and essentially all union members in the township, Former Mayor Hayes refused to provide officers with their rightfully-due step raises. This forced the Bridgewater P.B.A. to take Bridgewater Township to the New Jersey State Supreme Court. It was found that Bridgewater Township, at the insistence of Former Mayor Hayes, committed an unfair labor practice without attempting to negotiate in good faith when they denied Bridgewater P.B.A. members their step raises (see Township of Bridgewater v. PBA Local 174). This reckless and unlawful decision by Former Mayor Hayes cost the township a significant amount of money in legal fees and added to its poor reputation within the county and state. At the time, several officers left for other agencies, and others were deterred from working in a town where the department did not feel adequately supported by the administration that Hayes led.

Thankfully, Mayor Moench restored the partnership between the township and police officers that had been severed under former Mayor Hayes, by listening and learning about the problems and issues police officers face daily while protecting and serving the public. Although we do not agree on every issue, Mayor Moench has always been open to listening and working with the department to achieve an amicable solution. Because of these open conversations, Mayor Moench has increased the force by four officers, as well as suggested a schedule change that ultimately adds more officers on patrol during peak hours.

Furthermore, Mayor Moench’s sensible views on the development of housing and infrastructure in Bridgewater are key components that often get overlooked when discussing public safety. We have watched neighboring towns within the county overdevelop and increase their population without thorough consideration, which has led to traffic control problems, increased crime, problems in the schools, and increased officer-involved shootings. Mayor Moench has always considered public safety while balancing fiscal responsibility with population increase alongside residential and commercial development.

In 2022, Bridgewater made national news for an incident in which the Bridgewater Police were called to the Bridgewater Commons Mall to break up a fight. Although the investigation is still ongoing, and as we wait with Mayor Moench for the investigative report to be released, we applaud his leadership in his handling of the incident. Mayor Moench did not choose sides: he simply asked for a fair investigation and due process of all parties involved to be honored before making any kind of judgment. The manufactured and sensationalized headlines immediately following the incident were designed to sell a story and create division, and as police officers, we are encouraged by Mayor Moench’s approach to not submit to the current political and media trend of assuming officers are guilty until proven innocent.

Since Mayor Moench took office, the Bridgewater SHIELD program was implemented: Security, Honesty, Integrity, Expertise, Loyalty, and Discipline. This program was designed by the Bridgewater Police Department and township administration to build and strengthen the ties between the police department and the community that it protects and serves. The program included the implementation of our first ever Citizen Police Academy, where residents completed a 10-week course consisting of the framework of the Bridgewater Police Department, operations and investigations. A use-of-force seminar also took place, where residents experienced the complex and stressful situations that officers deal with on a daily basis - a topic that is often publicly scrutinized. In addition to that course of study, residents all received their CPR and AED certifications. Because of the incredible success of the first class, the second is currently underway.

“Coffee with the Command Staff” also began under the SHIELD program, where Bridgewater police officers visited local restaurants to get to know residents on a personal level. This initiative not only builds trust within the community, but unites the police officers to those businesses and residents that they serve and protect.

Lastly, Bridgewater and Somerset County worked together to implement an initiative referred to as the Community Police Alliance Project. Led by coordinator Dameon Stackhouse, the program provides aid and support to at-risk residents to avoid trouble with the law. Mr. Stackhouse (office located between the Bridgewater PD and Bridgewater Municipal Courtroom) and the police department collaborate to provide support for residents encompassing mental health, substance abuse, domestic violence, housing and food insecurity, childcare, and healthcare.

With the aforementioned successes of the current mayor in mind, Bridgewater P.B.A. Local 174 is proud to endorse Matthew Moench for Mayor on November 7th, 2023.

We would like to thank the residents for your ongoing support and appreciation for the difficult job we do on a daily basis. We are proud to protect and serve in a community with a nationally accredited police department. Regardless of the political climate, we will continue to take pride in our work and provide the best service to our treasured community.

Sincerely,

Bridgewater P.B.A. 174