Police Charge Man with Cyber Harassment
South Brunswick Police have charged a 19 year old Township man with cyber-harassment for posting lewd and threatening messages on a social media site targeting a local victim. The victim and her family reached out to police after learning of the messages. An investigation by Detective Rick Delucia identified Adam Zakaria of South Brunswick as the person posting the messages. Detective Delucia determined that Zakaria sent the lewd comments with the intent to create emotional harm to the victim. After consulting with the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, Zakaria was charged with fourth degree cyber-harassment. He surrendered at police headquarters Thursday evening and was released on a summons.
Police remind parents and teenagers that cyber-harassment and cyber bullying can have life-changing and life-long consequences. Teenagers should be aware that what you post, tweet, snap, and send can have serious consequences. The messages in this case have been removed from the social media site, but the ramifications for the suspect and victim will be long lasting.
New Jersey cyber-harassment law is as follows;
1. a. A person commits the crime of cyber-harassment if, while making a communication in an online capacity via any electronic device or through a social networking site and with the purpose to harass another, the person:
(1)threatens to inflict injury or physical harm to any person or the property of any person;
(2)knowingly sends, posts, comments, requests, suggests, or proposes any lewd, indecent, or obscene material to or about a person with the intent to emotionally harm a reasonable person or place a reasonable person in fear of physical or emotional harm to his person; or
(3)threatens to commit any crime against the person or the person's property.
b.Cyber-harassment is a crime of the fourth degree, unless the person is 21 years of age or older at the time of the offense and impersonates a minor for the purpose of cyber-harassing a minor, in which case it is a crime of the third degree.
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SAFETY FORUM - Compressor Station
South Brunswick Residents are advised of an upcoming forum to discuss the safety of a proposed Compressor Station along Route 27. The forum will be held on Monday February 27, 2017 at 7pm at the Sampson G Smith School, 1649 Amwell Road, Somerset NJ. The proposed Williams/Transco compressor station is set to be built on Trap Rock Quarry property. Learn about issues and dangers posed to the health and safety of residents, visitors, wildlife and the environment from emitted toxic gases, noise, potential fires and/or explosions. The forum will provide a status update about the proposed project and inform residents how to get involved.
