Residents Donate E-Bikes to Harvey Cedars Police
By Eric Englund, The Sand Paper, September 28, 2022
ROAD READY: Police Chief Robert Burnaford is flanked by donors Brandon Mayberry (left) and Yaron Avitov. (Supplied Photo)
Two local residents have donated two e-bikes to the Harvey Cedars Police Department.
The donations were made by Yaron Avitov and Brandon Mayberry, whom Police Chief Robert Burnaford said are “long-time supporters of the police department.”
“We are fortunate to have great friends who want to contribute to the community and to the police department,” said Burnaford.
John M. Imperiale, deputy mayor and commissioner of public safety, noted these bikes would be especially helpful next summer.
“We had a seasonal officer (Danielle Bialecki) this year who regularly patrolled on a bicycle, and we will again next year,” he said. “These electric bikes can only make patrolling the borough’s streets and the Boulevard more efficient.”
Burnaford said officers on bicycles can be used in various ways, including watching for parking infractions, responding to first aid calls and community policing.
“They had a presence at the summer concerts,” he said. “That’s a good way for the officer to interact with people in town.”
Imperiale further cited Burnaford for his “outstanding community relations,” which he credited for making these donations happen.
“Chief Burnaford is a constant presence in our community, and donations such as these are a beneficial result of the great relationship the chief and the department have with our citizens,” said Imperiale. “The borough also recently received a donation of a drone camera.”
Avitov added, “As residents of Long Beach Island, we are happy to support our amazing law enforcement force and our great community.”
Burnaford thanked Avitov and Mayberry, stating, “with the crowds that we get in the summer, and the need for an officer to respond quickly to any situation, having two electric bikes will be a bonus. Such donations also help us manage our budget effectively while improving our operations.” —E.E.