Good morning, South Jersey.
License plate readers have become ubiquitous across New Jersey, and a growing number of people are joining the fight to push back.
And Cherry Hill’s special education PTA has alleged discrimination after the district did not invite the organization to back-to-school nights.
Plus, take a peek inside the new Asianfresh Food Market in Cherry Hill, and more news of the day.
— Taylor Allen (southjersey@inquirer.com)
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A collective concern
Automated license plate readers have become nearly unavoidable in New Jersey.
Major retailers cite loss prevention and employee safety for their use, while the vast majority of the state’s law enforcement agencies have used them since at least 2023.
The Cherry Hill Police Department is one of the agencies using the tech:
- Last year, the majority of its system’s 2.2 million alerts were for expired registration and suspended plates.
- The alerts connected to criminal activity during the same year were for 800 stolen plates, 212 stolen vehicles, and 15 missing persons.
Organizations like DeFlock South Jersey are aiming for more regulation, due to their concerns about privacy. They are part of the growing pushback against the technology among both conservatives and progressives.
The Inquirer’s Ximena Conde provides a deeper look into the goals of the expanding movement.
Alleged discrimination
According to the Cherry Hill Special Education PTA, the group has tabled back-to-school nights at district schools to educate parents about their rights for 12 years.
But this year, the request was denied.
The organization has since filed a grievance with the school board, alleging discrimination for denying an independent group.
The district is saying that organizations like the special education PTA will have to coordinate with Zone PTA, the umbrella group of the district’s various parent-teacher associations.
Reporter Melanie Burney has the story.
What to know today
- The Medford mother who spent more than $27,000 on her daughter’s prom two years ago was sentenced to about a year in federal prison for a pandemic-relief fraud scheme worth over half a million dollars.
- U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew will debate his Democratic challenger, Zack Mullock, in the 2nd Congressional District race at Stockton University next month.
- Asianfresh Food Market in Cherry Hill had its grand opening on Saturday, and celebrated with contests and giveaways.
- According to the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office, a Bridgeton man was sentenced to five years in prison on Friday for identity theft.
- A new car wash is proposed for the site of the former Roni’s Taphouse on Route 73 in Maple Shade, according to 42 Freeway.
🧠 Trivia time
What year was the Allen Iverson statue unveiled outside the Sixers practice facility in Camden?
A) 2020
B) 2023
C) 2024
D) 2026
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re …
🏈 Reliving: The tailgate ahead of the Eagles season opener.
🏒 Reviewing: The full schedule and roster for this week’s NHL training camp.
🍁 Planning: A visit to Hopkins Pond in Haddonfield for leaf viewing.
📬 Your South Jersey view
I spent my sunny Sunday afternoon walking down Kings Highway in downtown Haddonfield after the morning rain cleared up.
What does your community look like? What South Jersey memory would you like to share? Submit a photo and/or a brief description for a chance to be featured in the Monday edition of this newsletter.
🗞️ What other South Jersey residents are reading
- Why don’t construction and factory workers want to build ships?
- Temple terminates $55 million gift from school’s largest donor amid federal investigation into his company
- Prediction time: The Inquirer’s game-by-game Eagles picks, NFL playoff selections and major award winners
Thank you for starting your week with The Inquirer. I’ll have more news for you tomorrow.
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