>>> FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJTV WITH BRIANNA VANOZZI.
NEW JERSEY'S AMENITIES ARE ON EDGE AS CASES OF HIGHEST EVENTS ARE ON THE RISE THIS YEAR.
CASES OF ANTI-SEMITISM IN NEW JERSEY ARE RISING FOLLOWING A NATIONAL TREND.
LEADERS ARE ALARMED, ESPECIALLY AS HATEFUL COMMENTS CIRCULATE ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND HOLOCAUST DENIERS ARE GETTING LOUDER.
TOMORROW WILL MARK THREE YEARS SINCE A DEADLY HATE CRIME IN JERSEY CITY, AND ANTI-SEMITIC INCIDENT IN WHICH A KOSHER MARKET WAS TARGETED BY DOMESTIC TERRORISTS.
A STANDOFF OF FOUR INNOCENT PEOPLE DEAD, INCLUDING A DETECTIVE.
LAST EVENING IN JERSEY CITY, A NIGHT OF REMEMBRANCE WAS HELD TO MARK THE ANNIVERSARY OF THAT HATE CRIME THAT LEFT MANY FEARFUL AND ANGRY.
CITY CORRESPONDED, BRENDA FLANAGAN, WAS THERE AND REPORTS AS PART OF OUR ONGOING SERIES EXPLORING HATE THAT REPORTS ON RACISM, EXTREMISM, AND ANTI-SEMITISM.
>> Reporter: A RABBI SANG BLESSINGS AS OFFICIALS GATHERED IN JERSEY CITY TO DENOUNCE A RISING WORLDWIDE TIDE OF ANTI-SEMITISM MARKING THE THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF A HORRIFIC HATE CRIME THAT CLAIMED THE LIVES OF FOUR VICTIMS ALL SHOT TO DEATH DURING A BLOODY RAMPAGE BY TWO DOMESTIC TERRORISTS WHO DELIBERATELY TARGETED A SUPERMARKET.
THE LEASE LOCKED DOWN THE AREA FOR HOURS THAT DAY AND FINALLY STORMED THE BUILDING, KILLING THE ATTACKERS.
>> I REMEMBER THAT FEAR, NOT JUST OF JEWISH RESIDENCE, BUT OF ALL THE PEOPLE THAT CONGREGATED AT NIGHT.
A LARGE CROWD.
AND I CONTINUE TO SEE THAT FEAR IN COMMUNITIES ACROSS OUR STATE.
AS THE REALITY IS HATE HAS NOT GONE AWAY IN THE THREE YEARS SINCE THAT AWFUL DAY.
>> Reporter: WITH SYNAGOGUES ACROSS NEW JERSEY NOW SEEING AN INCREASED SECURITY PRESENCE FOLLOWING RECENT THREATS, LAW ENFORCEMENT PROMISED PROTECTION.
>> THE SHOOTERS ON DECEMBER 10th, 2019 SOUGHT OUT AND PURPOSEFULLY KILLED PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY WERE FILLED WITH HATE AND ANTI-SEMITISM.
THERE CAN BE NO PLACE FOR THAT TYPE OF HATRED, AND THE FBI WILL DO ALL THAT WE CAN DO TO STOP IT.
>> Reporter: THE ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE SAYS THAT NEW JERSEY IS ONE OF THE TOP STATES IN THE NUMBER OF ANTI-SEMITIC EVENTS, AND IT HAS TRACKED A SHARP INCREASE IN VANDALISM, HARASSMENT, AND ASSAULTS.
STATISTICS SHOW A SPIKE FROM ABOUT 2000 INCIDENTS IN 2022 2700 LAST YEAR, UP 84%.
370 OF THOSE INCIDENTS IN 2021 OCCURRED IN NEW JERSEY.
>> WHAT I AM SURE IS NOT NEWS FOR THIS CROWD IS THAT 2022 IS NO BETTER.
I CAN TELL YOU QUITE HONESTLY THAT MY STAFF IS LITERALLY OVERWHELMED AS WE SPEAK RESPONDING TO MULTIPLE ANTI-SEMITIC INCIDENTS EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK IN NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY.
>> Reporter: THE ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE NAMED NUMEROUS CAUSES, INCLUDING OUR BITTERLY DIVIDED SOCIETY AND THE OUTSIZE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA.
HE POINTED TO THE LIBERTIES INCLUDING DONALD TRUMP DINING WITH A HOLOCAUST DENIER.
HE CITED KANYE WEST AND KYRIE IRVING, EMBROILED IN ANTI-SEMITISM AND ESPOUSED BY THE RADICAL HEBREW ISRAELITES, DECLARED A HATE GROUP BY THE SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER.
>> WHEN A CELEBRITY OR A SPORTS FIGURE THIS THAT HAS A HUGE FOLLOWING SAYS OR DOES SOMETHING THAT LEADS TO ANTI-SEMITISM OR IS ANTI-SEMITISM, PEOPLE COPY THAT.
PEOPLE THINK THAT ANTI-SEMITISM IS OKAY.
IT MAKES ANTI-SEMITISM NORMALIZED.
>> Reporter: THE TWO SHOOTERS APPARENTLY FOLLOW THE RADICAL HEBREW ISRAELITE SECT AND SPENT MONTHS PLANNING THE NEW JERSEY ATTACK.
A RESIDENT CAUGHT UP IN THE LOCKDOWN THREE YEARS AGO AGREES THAT ANTI-SEMITISM CONTINUES TO PLAGUE SOCIETY.
>> EVERYWHERE NOW.
ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.
IT'S SAD, BUT THIS IS THE PLANET WE LIVE ON NOW.
IT'S HORRIBLE.
>> YOU NEVER GET RID OF THE FEAR, YOU NEVER GET RID OF THE MEMORY.
IT IS THERE FOREVER.
>> Reporter: A HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR THAT LIVES IN VENTNOR, SHE VIVIDLY RECALLS THE DEADLY 1938 FROM WHEN SHE WAS EIGHT YEARS OLD LIVING IN BERLIN.
>> WE COULD HEAR THEM OUTSIDE.
WE COULD HEAR THE MOBS RUNNING AROUND OUTSIDE YELLING KILL THEIR.
I REMEMBER WALKING IN THE BROKEN GLASS.
EVEN TODAY WHEN I WALK ON BROKEN GLASS SOMEWHERE, AND THIS IS MORE THAN 80 YEARS LATER, I STILL GET THAT FEAR IN MY HEAD FOR I STILL GET THAT FEAR IN MY JUST A MINUTE.
>> Reporter: HER FATHER GOT A SUMMONS FROM THE GESTAPO AND HER FAMILY FLED GERMANY.
HER GRANDPARENTS PERISHED AT AUSCHWITZ.
SHE NOW WORKS AT STOCKTON UNIVERSITY'S HOLOCAUST RESOURCE CENTER GIVING LECTURES FIGHTING ANTI-SEMITISM.
>> I TELL THE CHILDREN, IN PARTICULAR, SO THAT THEY KNOW WHAT HAPPENS.
THEN WHEN SOMEONE COMES ALONG AND SAYS THE HOLOCAUST NEVER HAPPENED THEY CAN SAY WELL, I HEARD A LADY WHO WAS THERE AND SHE WAS RIGHT THERE.
SO THE CALL HOLOCAUST IT HAPPEN.
>> Reporter: SHE SAYS TRUTH AND EDUCATION ARE THE BEST WEAPONS AGAINST HATRED AND THAT PEOPLE MUST NEVER FORGET.
I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.
>> NEW JERSEY'S MUSLIM COMMUNITY HAS ALSO BEEN THE TARGET OF AN INCREASING NUMBER OF BIAS INCIDENTS.
OVER 100 CASES OF ANTI-MUSLIM DISCRIMINATION THIS PAST YEAR HAVE BEEN TRACKED BY THE COUNCIL ON AMERICAN ISLAMIC RELATIONS, OR CARES NEW JERSEY CHAPTER.
AND IN RECENT WEEKS, FOUR ISLAMIC CENTERS IN THIS STATE WERE VISITED EITHER STRUCK DISPLAYING ANTI-MUSLIM MESSAGES.
SECURITY FOOTAGE PROVIDED BY THE COUNCIL SHOWS THE TRUCK DISPLAYING A DIGITAL BILLBOARD WITH PHOTOS FROM 2008 TERRORIST ATTACKS IN MUMBAI.
ONE OF THE INCIDENTS OCCURRED AT THE MUSLIM CENTER OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, AND NOW THE COUNCILS NEW JERSEY CHAPTER IS CALLING FOR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT IN PISCATAWAY AND THE FBI TO INVESTIGATE.
THE GROUP'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SAYING WELL, EVERYONE, EVEN BIGOTS HAVE THE RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH.
NO ONE HAS THE RIGHT TO TARGET RELIGIOUS MINORITIES, ESPECIALLY AT THEIR HOUSES OF WORSHIP WITH THE ACTS OF PERCEIVED INTIMIDATION AND HARASSMENT.
>>> HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE ONCE AGAIN CLOSELY WATCHING COVID CASE NUMBERS.
WE HAVE SEEN AN UPTICK IN CASES SINCE THINKS GIVING, WITH THE STATE TODAY REPORTING MORE THAN 2200 NEW CASES AND 22 NEW DEATHS.
FEW NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS RECEIVE THE LATEST BOOSTER.
MEANTIME, THE CDC THIS WEEK RECOMMENDED MASKING UP INDOORS IN PARTS OF THE COUNTRY INCLUDING NEW YORK.
TO GET AN UPDATE ON HOW COVID IS IMPACTING THE STATE AND IF CASES WILL KEEP CLIMBING, WE ARE JOINED BY DR. STEPHANIE SILVERA, EPIDEMIOLOGIST AT MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY.
DR. SILVERA, VERY GOOD TO SEE YOU.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.
WE ARE WATCHING SOME OF THESE COVID CASE NUMBERS, DO YOU EXPECT THEY WILL CONTINUE TO RISE, ESPECIALLY WITH THE HOLIDAYS AHEAD?
>> UNFORTUNATELY, I DO.
I THINK WE HAVE ALREADY SEEN THE CASES INCREASE POST-THANKSGIVING, AND THE PATTERN THAT WE HAVE NOW SEEN CONSISTENTLY, WE ARE ON YOUR THREE, IS THAT WHEN PEOPLE MOVE INDOORS AND THEY ARE GATHERING TOGETHER, ESPECIALLY FOR THE HOLIDAYS, THE CASE NUMBERS INCREASE.
>> WHAT ARE WE SEEING IN TERMS OF HOSPITALIZATIONS AND SEVERE CASES OF COVID?
HOW HAVE SOME OF THE AVAILABLE TREATMENTS MADE A DIFFERENCE?
>> SO, WE HAVE SEEN AN INCREASE OVER THE PAST SEVERAL DAYS IN HOSPITALIZATIONS, INCLUDING ICU AND PEOPLE ON VENTILATORS.
OBVIOUSLY WE ARE NOT IN THE SAME POSITION THAT WE WERE IN 2020.
WE HAVE A LOT MORE PEOPLE THAT ARE VACCINATED, THOSE WHO ARE BOOSTED, AND WE DO HAVE BETTER TREATMENT NOW, INCLUDING SOME OF THE MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES THAT ARE STILL HELPING.
BUT FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE PARTICULARLY AT RISK, AND THIS INCLUDES PEOPLE WHO ARE UNVACCINATED AND NOW ON BOOSTED, IF THE CASES CONTINUE TO INCREASE WE ARE GOING TO SEE MORE PEOPLE HOSPITALIZED, AS WELL.
>> AND WHAT ABOUT THE UPTAKE ON THE BIVALENT BOOSTER?
IT HAS BEEN LOW IN NEW JERSEY AND NATIONWIDE.
WHY DO YOU THINK PEOPLE HAVE NOT RECEIVED IT?
IS IT A CASE OF COVID FATIGUE?
>> I THINK THERE ARE PROBABLY A FEW THINGS HAPPENING.
I THINK THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF COVID FATIGUE.
I THINK PEOPLE WERE INITIALLY TOLD THE VACCINE IS GOING TO BE SORT OF THE GOLDEN TICKET TO GET BACK TO LIFE AS NORMAL, AND THE REALITY IS THAT WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO NEED BOOSTERS OR THESE SHOTS THAT ADDRESS WHATEVER THE CURRENT CIRCULATING VARIANT IS.
AND THEN I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT YOU DON'T NEED THE TWO PREVIOUS BOOSTERS IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE TO GET THIS BIVALENT BOOSTER.
THIS IS THE NEW ONE.
THIS IS THE ONE THAT EVERYBODY SHOULD BE GETTING WHETHER OR NOT YOU HAVE BEEN BOOSTED.
AS LONG AS YOU HAD YOUR INITIAL COURSE, WHETHER THAT WAS THE ONE DOSE J&J OR THE TWO DOSE MRNA, YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS BIVALENT BOOSTER.
>> WHAT CAN BE DONE TO ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE TO GET THIS BOOSTER?
IF IT'S NOT HAPPENING YET, WHAT WE NEED TO HAVE HAPPEN TO ENCOURAGE THEM?
>> I THINK WHAT WE REALLY NEED TO EMPHASIZES THAT THE BIVALENT BOOSTER IS GOING TO DO A REALLY GOOD JOB OF REDUCING THE SEVERITY OF YOUR ILLNESS.
YOU ARE MUCH LESS LIKELY TO END UP IN THE HOSPITAL OR TO HAVE SEVERE ILLNESS THAT MIGHT LEAD TO DEATH.
IT MAY OR MAY NOT REDUCE YOUR CHANCE OF GETTING SICK INITIALLY.
BUT YOU MAY HAVE A MILD ILLNESS IF YOU HAVE THAT.
>> THE CDC ALSO RECOMMENDING MASKING INDOORS IN PARTS OF THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING NEW YORK.
SHOULD NEW JERSEYANS START WEARING MASK AGAIN?
>> I THINK SO.
I THINK IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE IN A CROWDED INDOOR SPACE, PEOPLE SHOPPING IN MALLS, GOING TO MOVIES, ATTENDING SHOWS, OR EVEN LARGE HOLIDAY PARTIES.
YOU'RE GOING TO WANT TO TRY TO KEEP THAT MASK ON AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
NOT ONLY ARE WE SEEING INCREDIBLY HIGHER NUMBERS OF COVID, WE ARE SEEING PEAK RATES OF FLU MUCH EARLIER IN THE SEASON THAN WE TYPICALLY WOULD.
WE ARE SEEING AN INCREASE IN RSV.
AND IF WE LOOK TO THE UK, WHICH TENDS TO BE A FEW WEEKS AHEAD OF US, THEY ARE SEEING VERY DISTURBING TRENDS WHEN IT COMES TO STREP INFECTIONS, AS WELL.
I THINK THE MORE WE CAN DO TO PROTECT OURSELVES FROM RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES, THE BETTER WE WILL ALL BE.
>> DR. SILVERA, GOOD TO TALK TO YOU, THANK YOU.
>>> THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC DRASTICALLY SLOWED COURT CASES AND TRIALS NEW JERSEY.
THAT HAS RESULTED IN AN INCREASE IN THE STATES GELS POPULATION.
AS MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS, AND NEW STATE JUDICIARY ORD RELEASED THIS WEEK ALSO FOUND THAT THERE ARE PERSISTENT RACIAL DISPARITIES, WITH BLACK RESIDENTS ACCOUNTING FOR MORE THAN HALF OF THOSE IN JAIL.
>> Reporter: WE ARE AT CATASTROPHIC LEVELS OF JUDICIAL VACANCIES BEYOND THE CRISIS AT THIS POINT, THAT THERE ARE JUST NOT ENOUGH JUDGES AND SEATS.
>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY'S COURT SYSTEM REMAINS CRITICALLY UNDERSTAFFED.
THAT IS A MAIN REASON THAT JERILYN LAWRENCE, PRESIDENT OF THE NEW JERSEY STATE BAR ASSOCIATION SAYS IS CONTRIBUTING TO THE STATES HIGH JAIL POPULATION.
SHE SAYS THERE ARE ROUGHLY 70 VACANT COURT SEATS ACROSS THE STATE, AND EVERY COUNTY EXCEPT BURLINGTON NEEDED TO BE FILLED.
>> I THINK WE HAVE MORE PEOPLE IN JAIL NOW THAN WE HAVE EVER HAD SINCE 2017.
AND THAT IS NOT BECAUSE DEFENDANTS ARE NOT HAVING FIRST APPEARANCES.
I THINK THOSE FIRST APPEARANCE RATES ARE OVER 97%.
THAT IS THE HIGHEST THEY'VE EVER BEEN.
AND THAT IS A TRIBUTE TO TRANSITIONING TO VIRTUAL PLATFORMS.
SO WHERE WE ARE GETTING CAUGHT UP IS BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE TRIALS.
>> Reporter: THE SLOWDOWN ON TRIALS IS ALSO INCREASING THE JAIL POPULATION.
ACCORDING TO A NEW STATE JUDICIARY REPORT, THERE WERE ABOUT 7900 PEOPLE IN JAIL IN 2019.
THAT NUMBER JUMPING TO MORE THAN 8900 IN 2020.
AND ALTHOUGH LAST YEAR SAW DECLINES TO AROUND 8600, IT IS STILL HIGHER THAN PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS.
>> JAILS ORDINARILY HAVE PEOPLE COMING IN WHEN THEY GET ARRESTED, AND PEOPLE COMING OUT WHEN THEY GET RESOLVED.
>> Reporter: INSTEAD, ALEX SHALOM SAYS THE INABILITY TO GO TO TRIAL IF MANY CASES UNRESOLVED.
>> IT IS NOT SURPRISING TO ME THAT THE JAIL POPULATION WENT UP.
I THINK WHAT REMAINS TO BE SEEN AND WHAT I AM VERY CURIOUS TO SEE IS ONCE WE GET BACK IN THE FULL SWING OF THE SAME NUMBER OF TRIALS WE WERE HAVING PRE-PANDEMIC, CAN WE DRIVE THAT JAIL POPULATION BACK TO THE RATES IT WAS AT IN 2018 AND 2019?
>> BUT EVEN THAT IS A CONCERN AS SOME LAWMAKERS PUSH NEW ANTICRIME LEGISLATION WHICH ADVOCATES BELIEVE WILL PUT EVEN MORE NEW JERSEYANS IN JAIL.
>> RIGHT NOW THERE ARE SEVERAL BILLS THAT MAKE IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO TREAT LESSER OFFENSES IN THE SAME WAY WE TREAT HOMICIDE, BY CRATING A REBUTTAL OF THE ATTENTION.
THE MINISTRY INVOLVEMENT OF THE COURTS, THEY'VE DONE A REVIEW OF THIS ISSUE BEFORE.
AND THEY SAID IN THE PAST THAT CREATING A REBUTTAL RESUMPTION OF DETENTION FOR CERTAIN OFFENSES MADE DOUBLE THE PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE WHO ARE DETAINED.
AND IT WILL HAVE SERIOUS RACIAL IMPLICATIONS.
>> ESPECIALLY FOR BLACK AND BROWN RESIDENTS WHO HAVE HISTORICALLY FACED THIS PROPORTIONALLY HIGHER RATES OF THE DETAINMENT THAN WHITE PEOPLE.
THAT IS WHY SOCIAL ADVOCATES SAY THAT THE STATE IS REQUIRED TO INCLUDE RACIAL AND ETHNIC IMPACT STATEMENTS ON LEGISLATION, WHICH IS SO IMPORTANT.
>> UNFORTUNATELY, LEGISLATORS ROUTINELY NEGLECT TO IT INCLUDE THAT.
THIS IS ILLEGAL.
I SUSPECT THAT IF WE KNEW THE RACIAL IMPACT UP FRONT ABOUT BAD CRIMINAL JUSTICE BILLS THAT IT WOULD BE HARDER FOR LEGISLATORS TO PASS THEM AND TO INCREASE OUR RACIAL DISPARITIES.
>> IS BY THE CHALLENGES, ADVOCACY, THERE IS STILL SOME POSITIVITY IN THE REPORTS.
THEY'LL REFORM IS WORKING.
>> THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO GET RELEASED ON PRETRIAL RELEASE AND THEN COMMIT A SERIOUS CRIME HAS STAYED VERY, VERY LOW.
BELOW 1%.
>> Reporter: BUT ADVOCATES STILL WANT TO SEE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN JAIL REDUCED.
THEY ARE HOPING THAT FILLING VACANT JUDGE SEATS WILL BE A TOP PRIORITY SOME MORE TRIALS CAN BE RESOLVED SOON.
FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.
>> THE JERSEY COUNTY COMMUNITIES OF HOBOKEN HAVE RECEIVED ACCOLADES RECENTLY FOR IMPROVEMENTS IN TRAFFIC SAFETY THAT REDUCED TRAFFIC DEBTS.
BUT NORTH OF JERSEY CITY THERE IS CONCERN OVER A NEW PLAN FOR A 4.5 MILE PORTION OF JFK BOULEVARD EAST AND PARK AVENUE.
ADVOCATES WANTED TO SEE A BIKE PATH ALONG THE SCENIC STRETCH OF ROAD, BUT AS TED GOLDBERG REPORTS, THAT HAS BEEN SCRAPPED, AND NOW THERE ARE WORRIES ABOUT THE SAFETY OF BIKERS AND PEDESTRIANS.
>> I HAVE BEEN ALMOST KILLED ON BOULEVARD EAST ON MY BIKE TWICE.
I DON'T WISH THAT THAT RISK, THAT FEAR, THAT DANGER ON ANYONE.
>> PEOPLE LIKE EMMANUEL MORGAN HAVE TO BE EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS WHEN HIKING AROUND HUDSON COUNTY.
ESPECIALLY ON JFK BOULEVARD EAST.
THE NEW JERSEY TRANSPORTATION PLANNING AUTHORITY HAS HEARD MULTIPLE PROPOSALS ON HOW TO FIX THIS ROAD.
ONE PROPOSAL SENT LAST YEAR WAS CONSIDERED VERY BIKE FRIENDLY.
NOW THE NJ TPA IS HEARING A FEDERALLY FUNDED PUZZLE THAT ACTIVISTS SAY PRIORITIZES PARKING OVER SAFETY.
>> THE FIRST PROPOSAL WAS A PROPOSAL FOR ALL ROAD USERS.
IT INCLUDED NEW CROSSWALKS, IT INCLUDED PARALLEL PARKING ON THE COURT ORDER.
>> THE FIRST PROPOSAL INCLUDED A TWO-WAY CYCLE TRACK ON THE SIDE OF BOULEVARD EAST.
IT WAS FULLY PROTECTED WITH CONCRETE BARRIERS.
THERE WERE EXTENDED BUS STOPS, EXTENDED CURB BUMP OUTS FOR PEDESTRIANS.
>> BOULEVARD EAST HAS BECOME INFAMOUS FOR ITS SHEER VOLUME OF ACCIDENTS.
>> THIS IS A 25 MILE AN HOUR ROBA YOU OFTEN SEE PEOPLE GOING 35 AND ABOVE.
IT IS REALLY A HIGH TRAFFIC, HIGH CRASH TRAFFIC AREA.
>> IT IS VERY SCARY.
THERE ARE SOME PARTS OF THE ROAD THAT DRIVERS JUST SPEED UP.
THEY ARE GOING WAY UP TO THE LIMIT.
>> PEOPLE ARE BACKING UP AND CAN'T SEE PEOPLE THAT ARE WALKING BY OR EVEN ON THEIR BIKES.
>> Reporter: THE CURRENT PROPOSAL WOULD TAKE ABOUT $20 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS AND ADD SAFETY FEATURES TO A 4.5 MILE STRETCH OF BOULEVARD EAST AND PARK AVENUE.
IT WOULD ALSO CREATE ANGLED PARKING FOR CARS.
THE LEAD PLANNER ON THIS PROJECT SINCE THE MUNICIPALITIES INVOLVED WOULD NOT SUPPORT A BIKE.
MAYORS FROM WEST NEW YORK, WEEHAWKEN, NORTH BERGEN, AND GOTHENBURG DID NOT RESPOND TO OUR REQUEST FOR COMMENT.
>> THE INITIAL CONCEPT FOR THE CORRIDORS DID HAVE BIKE SOLUTIONS, AND EARLY ON IN THE PROCESS THERE WAS NO SUPPORT FROM IT FROM ANY OF THE BIGGEST BOUNDARIES.
WE HAD TO CHANGE COURSE.
>> THAT RESPONSE HAS NOT GONE OVER WELL WITH SOME PEOPLE.
>> IS NOT SOMETHING BASED ON THE SCIENCE.
IT IS BASED ON THE POLITICAL WILL OF THE ELECTED OFFICIALS.
>> Reporter: RON BAUTISTA WORKS ON HOBOKEN'S VISUAL ZERO TASK FORCE, WHICH AIMS TO REDUCE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS.
HE SAYS THE CURRENT PROPOSALS WON'T MAKE PEOPLE SAFER IN THESE COMMUNITIES.
>> IT'S NOT ABOUT MAKING IT HARDER FOR DRIVERS.
IT'S ABOUT PROVIDING OTHER ALTERNATIVES FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE ABLE TO TAKE THOSE ARTILLERY LIVES.
IT WILL MAKE IT SAFER, THAT'S WHAT WE ARE GOING TO SEE.
WE WILL SEE PEOPLE'S LIVES AT RISK.
>> THEY WANT TO RESPOND TO THEIR CONSTITUENTS WITHOUT REALIZING THAT IF YOU BUILD MORE PARKING YOU CREATE DEMAND.
IT IS SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN.
AND THAT PROVIDING ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO GET AROUND IS THE SOLUTION TO ENSURING THAT PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT TO SAFE MOBILITY.
>> IF THE PROPOSAL WAS APPROVED, THE PLACES AFFECTED WOULD BE WEST NEW YORK, WEEHAWKEN, HOBOKEN, TOTENBERG, AND I AM TED GOLDBERG.
>> IN OUR SPOTLIGHT ON GIVES US BUSINESS TONIGHT, CONTINUING THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE MTAS CONGESTION SPIKE PROPOSAL.
HE SLAMMED PRICING AS ANOTHER UNAFFORDABLE OBSTACLE TO FAMILIES MAKING VISITS TO THE CITY DURING THE HOLIDAYS.
THE CONGESTION PRICING PLAN WOULD CHARGE DRIVERS AS MUCH IS $23 EXTRA FOR GOING INTO DOWNTOWN MANHATTAN.
IT IS MEANT TO REDUCE TRAFFIC INTO THE CITY WHILE GENERATING NEW REVENUE FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS.
GOT HEIMER HAS LARGELY OPPOSED THE PLAN FOR ATTACKS ON NEW JERSEY DRIVERS.
HE PLANS TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION THAT WOULD UNDERSTATE MTA IF THE AGENCY WAS AT THE CONGESTION PRICING.
>> NEXT WEEK CONGRESS IS CONSIDERING, WE HAVE OUR UPCOMING GOVERNMENT FUNDING PACKAGE WHICH WE MUST PASS.
SO I WILL BE ADDING IN LANGUAGE, LEGISLATIVE LANGUAGE TO MAKE SURE THAT IF THEY GO AHEAD WITH THIS CONGESTION TAX THAT THEY WILL LOSE THEIR MONEY.
LET'S SEE HOW THE MTA LIKES HAVING MONEY TAKEN AWAY FROM THEM LIKE THEY ARE TRYING TO DO TO FAMILIES THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.
IF THEY WANTED TO FUND OUR HARD-WORKING FAMILIES WALLETS, THEN LET'S GIVE THEM THE TASTE OF THEIR OWN MEDICINE.
>>> ON WALL STREET, HERE'S A LOOK AT HOW MARKETS FARED TO WIN THE WEEK.
AND MAKE SURE YOU CATCH NJ BUSINESS BEAT THIS WEEKEND WITH ME, WHERE I DIG INTO THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF NEW JERSEY'S CASINO INDUSTRY AS ATLANTIC CITY MARKS THE 45th ANNIVERSARY OF LEGALIZED GAMBLING.
WATCH IT SATURDAY AT 5 P.M. AND SUNDAY AT 9:30 A.M.
RIGHT HERE ON NJ PBS.
>>> HEADING INTO THE HOLIDAY SEASON, HOSPITALS AROUND THE STATE ARE FACING A SEVERE BLOOD AND PLATELET SHORTAGE.
ACCORDING TO OUR WJ BARNABAS HEALTH, AND UNDERWRITER OF NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.
THE HOSPITAL IS HOLDING SEVERAL BLOOD DRIVES OVER THE NEXT MONTH AND IS ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO DONATE, ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH TYPE O BLOOD.
JOINING ME TO TALK MORE ABOUT THIS IS SALLY WELLS, BLOOD SERVICES IS IN HIS DEVELOPMENT LIAISON AT ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL.
SALLY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.
>> YOU ARE VERY WELCOME.
IT IS A PLEASURE TO BE HERE.
>> WIRE WE SHOULD SING THE SHORTAGE NOW, AND HOW SEVERE IS IT?
>> I BELIEVE THAT WE ARE SEEING THE CULMINATING AFFECTS OF THE REPERCUSSIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PANDEMIC.
ALONG WITH SOME SEASONAL RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES WHICH HAVE PEAKED EARLIER THIS YEAR THAN NORMAL.
AND THE FACT THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE PANDEMIC WAS OVER, PEOPLE ARE OUT SHOPPING.
THEY ARE ENTERTAINING.
THEY ARE TRAVELING.
AND THEY ARE BUSY TRYING TO GET BACK TO THEIR LIFE.
I THINK THAT ALL OF THOSE THINGS HAVE HAD A MAJOR IMPACT ON THE AVAILABILITY OF BLOOD AND BLOOD PRODUCTS FOR THE HOSPITALS THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.
>> SO, SALLY, HOW PROBLEMATIC IS IT FOR THOSE PATIENTS RECEIVING CARE IN HOSPITALS?
THOSE WAITING FOR SURGERIES?
>> WELL, THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT WE HAVE NOT SEEN ANY CANCELLATIONS OF ELECTIONS SURGERIES.
WE HAVE SEEN SOME POSTPONEMENTS OF CERTAIN PROCEDURES THAT REQUIRE BLOOD AND BLOOD PRODUCTS ON HAND.
ROUTINE SCHEDULING ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH LIGHT LIT TRANSFUSIONS, WHEREBY IF AN INDIVIDUAL IS SCHEDULED TO COME IN LET'S SAY, 1030 IN THE MORNING, AND WE DON'T HAVE A PLATELET PRODUCT READILY AVAILABLE BUT WE ARE EXPECTING A SHIPMENT AT 4:00 IN THE AFTERNOON, AND THIS IS A JUST AN EXAMPLE.
THAT WE MAY HAVE THEM COME BACK LATER THAT DAY TO RECEIVE THEIR TRANSFUSION OR THE NEXT MORNING.
THE ISSUE BECOMES ONE OF THE CONSTANT NEED TO MICROMANAGE THE INVENTORY.
WHEN THE INVENTORY OF BLOOD IN A BLOOD BANK FALLS BELOW WHAT WE CALL OPTIMUM LEVELS, THEN THE NECESSITY FOR THE STAFF TO MICROMANAGE EVERY PRODUCT THAT GOES OUT AND EVERY PRODUCT THAT COMES IN INTENSIFIES.
AND IT IS A VERY LABOR-INTENSIVE BURDEN SOME PROCESS.
ESPECIALLY IN AN INSTITUTION LIKE ROBERT JOHNSON UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL.
BECAUSE OF OUR LEVEL ONE TRAUMA AND THE CANCER INSTITUTE OF NEW JERSEY.
OUR CONCERN IS PRIMARILY WITH TYPE O NEGATIVE BLOOD, WHICH AS YOU KNOW, IS THE UNIVERSAL BLOOD TYPE.
AND IT IS ALWAYS USED OUT FIRST IN A TRAUMATIC SITUATION.
YOU HAVE LESS THAN A ONE DAY SUPPLY OF TYPE O NEGATIVE BLOOD ON HAND.
AND THAT IS BEEN A PERPETUAL PROBLEM FOR THE PAST WEEK.
WE USE IT, WE GET A SMALL SHIPMENT IN, PROBABLY LESS THAN 50% OF WHAT OUR NORMAL SHIPMENTS WILL BE BECAUSE THE SUPPLIERS JUST DON'T HAVE IT AVAILABLE.
>> SALLY, I HOPE THE UPCOMING BLOOD DRIVES CHANGE THAT SITUATION.
THANK YOU FOR SPENDING TIME WITH ME TO SHARE THIS INFORMATION.
WE APPRECIATE IT.
>> YOU ARE VERY WELCOME.
>> THAT IS ALL WE HAVE EACH NIGHT, BUT DON'T MISS THIS WEEK'S EPISODE OF REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE, WITH SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUZ.
THIS WEEK, DAVID TALKS WITH COLLEEN WILSON, TRANSPORTATION REPORTER FOR THE BOURBON RECORD.
FROM RISING TOLLS TO THE TURNPIKE EXPANSION, AND TROUBLES AT NJ TRANSIT.
WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN FOR COMMUTERS?
THAT IS SATURDAY AT 6 P.M. AND SUNDAY AT 10 A.M.. AND ON CHAT BOX THIS WEEK, DAVID LOOKS AT LEARNING LOSS HERE IN THE STATE AND TEACHER SHORTAGES POST-PANDEMIC.
THAT IS SATURDAY AT 6:30 P.M. AND SUNDAY AT 6:30 A.M. ALL RIGHT HERE ON IN JPS.
FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US THIS WEEK.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.
WE WILL SEE YOU RIGHT BACK HERE ON MONDAY.
>> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.
MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GRADE FOR EVERY CHILD.
OUR WJ BARNABAS HEALTH.
LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.
AND OR STEAD.
COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW, LONG-TERM, SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.
LEADERSHIP SUPPORT FOR EXPLORING HEY IS PROVIDED BY THE SYLVIA A AND SIMON B PROGRAM ENDOWMENT TO FIGHT ANTI-SEMITISM.
WITH ADDITIONAL MAJOR FUNDING FROM SUE AND EDGAR WALKING ON THE THIRD, THE DREW AND G PETERSON, AND ADDITIONAL SUPPORT IS PROVIDED BY JOSH WESTON.