UPDATED STORY: State Police to Help Point Beach Police with DWIs and Traffic

State troopers will help Point Beach with traffic control and DWI checks starting this weekend, said Councilman Tim Lurie.

Lurie said he asked state police for help because the town is experiencing an increase in disorderly conduct and other petty crime during the weekends.

State police "tac packs" will patrol Route 35 north and south, Ocean Avenue, Broadway, Arnold Avenue, and, as a secondary priority, also patrol residential streets in District 4, which is near the boardwalk.

"Tac packs" stand for "Tactical Patrol Units."

State police will use the local police department within Borough Hall on New Jersey Avenue and the local state marine police barracks as base points for their operation.

He said the state police are using federal funds for the operation, so the town will not have to pay any cost for the assistance.

"President Obama dedicated the money for quality of life issues," Lurie said at Tuesday night's council meeting.

Lurie said on Friday morning that two or three troopers, with one in each police car, will be on patrol from 5 p.m to 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

Following this weekend, the state troopers may change days and times, he said.

Point Beach Police Chief Kevin O'Hara and Lt. Robert Dikun had said at the Tuesday night meeting that they had not spoken to state police and knew nothing of the plans for them to help with their "tac packs."

"But we'll take the help," Dikun said.

Lurie said Friday morning that sometime after the Tuesday night meeting, Dikun did talk to state police and let them know that Sunday and Monday nights are also very busy for Point Beach and that assistance may be needed during those times.

On Friday morning, O'Hara said that the local department had been in touch with state police, who plan on probably sending "three patrols," which means three troopers, with one in each car.

O'Hara said the troopers handling tac pack operations are patrolling in their cars "looking for drunk drivers and motor vehicle violations. If they see something else, they'll tell us. But they won't be writing municipal ordinance violations. But it's extra people to report things to us."

State police will not be doing foot or bicycle patrols, such as local police do on the boardwalk.

State Police Sgt. Brian Polite, a department spokesperson, did not immediately have information available on Thursday regarding state police assistance in Point Beach.

O'Hara and Dikun presented a report at Tuesday night's meeting that calls for additional funding for extended police coverage, primarily for the boardwalk.

The council approved $95,000 for additional manpower hours, which was only a portion of the $155,000 that the police officials were requesting.

To see the report, visit the municipal web site, click on "council meetings" and then click on the report listed on the top of the left column.