FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND, THE OCEAN WIND PROJECT BY ORSTED AND PSEG, COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW, LONG- TERM, SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>> FROM NJPBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT, I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

MANDATORY VACCINES AND INDOOR MASK MANDATES ARE AT THE TOP OF DISCUSSIONS IN STATE AND FEDERAL LEADERS AS THIS LATEST SURGE OF COVID-19 INFECTIONS FUELED BY THE DELTA VARIANT AND AMONG UNVACCINATED RESIDENTS CONTINUES TO SPREAD THROUGH COMMUNITIES.

PRESIDENT BIDEN TODAY, MEETING VIRTUALLY WITH THE CHIEF EXECUTIVES OF MAJOR CORPORATIONS LIKE UNITED AIRLINES LOOKING FOR WAYS TO BOOST VACCINE RATES AMONG THEIR WORKERS.

AS AMTRAK ANNOUNCED ALL OF THE REAL AGENCIES ROUGHLY 18 THOUSAND EMPLOYEES WILL BE REQUIRED TO GET VACCINATED, OR FACE WEEKLY TESTING.

A STEP, THE RAILROAD SAYS IS NECESSARY TO COMBAT WIDENING CASELOADS.

MORE THAN 1500 NEW POSITIVE TESTS REPORTED STATEWIDE TODAY.

THE MOST ANNOUNCED IN A SINGLE DAY SINCE APRIL.

AND 6 ADDITIONAL DEATHS.

NEARLY 5.4 MILLION PEOPLE WHO WORK OR GO TO SCHOOL IN THE STATE ARE NOW FULLY VACCINATED.

MANY BUSINESSES THAT ARE HANGING IN LIMBO, WAITING FOR MORE GUIDANCE FROM PUBLIC HEALTH LEADERS TO HELP THEM MOVE FORWARD.

ESPECIALLY AFTER THE CDC UPDATING MASKING GUIDELINES TO INCLUDE THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN INOCULATED AND SOME BIG-BOX RETAILERS HAVE TAKEN STEPS TOWARDS REQUIRING MASKING AND VACCINATIONS.

WHAT'S A MOM-AND-POP SHOP TO DO?

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> EACH BUSINESS SHOULD MAKE THEIR OWN DECISION ABOUT WHAT IS BEST FOR THE CLIENTS.

>> CUSTOMERS FELT IT WAS TOTALLY UP TO ITS RIDGEWOOD EATERY THAT COULD BE THE FIRST IN NEW JERSEY TO REQUIRE CUSTOMERS AND STAFF SHOW PROOF OF VACCINATION TO GET SERVED INSIDE.

A SHOP OWNER TELLS ITS THEY ARE NOT GETTING THREATENING PHONE CALLS FROM ANGRY ANONYMOUS ANTI- VAXXERS, BUT HE HAS NOT CHANGED HIS MIND, AND DINERS TO SUPPORT HIM.

>> THE VACCINE SEEMS TO BE THE RIGHT WAY TO GO TO PREVENT SPREADING, AND WE HAVE SEEN SPIKES EVERYWHERE, SO I THINK TO GET THAT KIND OF PRECAUTION IS VERY RESPONSIBLE.

I LIKE IT.

>> I WILL WEAR A MASK AND UNVACCINATED, AND I STILL WEAR A MASK.

SO, IT'S AN INDIVIDUAL THING.

>> THE MANDATE MATCHES NEW YORK CITY'S, BUT NEW JERSEY GOVERNMENT DOES NOT REQUIRED VACCINATIONS AND ADJUSTS RECOMMENDS MASKS FOR MOST INTER- ACTIVITIES BASED ON CDC GUIDANCE, WHICH SHOWS THE WHOLE STATE SUBSTANTIAL OR HIGH RISK TO TRANSMIT COVERTS DELTA VARIANT.

PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERTS SEE MAIN STREET REACTING FASTER.

>> THE DECISIONS THAT ARE PROTECTING THEIR EMPLOYEES, PROTECTING THEIR CUSTOMERS, WHETHER GOVERNMENT REQUIRES IT OR NOT.

I THINK THAT THE RATES CLIMB, THAT THE STATE GOVERNMENT WILL PUT IN SOME SORT OF MANDATE.

>> FOR NOW, THE PATCHWORK OF RULES AND FREQUENT NONCOMPLIANCE CAN CREATE HARD FEELINGS OF ALL THE WAY AROUND.

>> I JUST THINK THAT THOSE, THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE CHOSEN TO NOT GET VACCINATED ARE IMPOSING THEIR LIVES ON THOSE OF US WHO HAVE CHOSEN TO GET VACCINATED BECAUSE OF THE SPREAD THAT IS OCCURRING BECAUSE OF THEM.

>> WE HAVE A PRETTY LOYAL FOLLOWING AND CUSTOMER BASE THAT SHOWS OUR VALUES, AND TURNS.

>> SO, JUST JERSEY STORE OWNER DOES NOT ANTICIPATE MUCH PUSHBACK EVEN AS HE RE-IMPOSES THE MASS MANDATE ON HIS SHOPPERS IN MORRISTOWN.

IT IS YET ANOTHER ESTABLISHMENT MAKING ITS OWN DECISION TO KEEP CUSTOMERS AND STAFF SAFE FROM COVID ABSENT NEW MANDATES FROM THE STATE.

>> SHOULD THERE BE A COHESIVE STATEWIDE MANDATE QUESTION MARK >> THERE WAS, AND IT WAS LIFTED WHEN WE THOUGHT WE HAD THIS UNDER CONTROL, AND THEN THE EMERGING VARIANT SAYS WE ARE LEARNING.

I SUPPOSE THE POLICIES NEED TO EVOLVE AS WELL.

>> Reporter: THE BAKERY NEXT DOOR ALSO POSTED SIGNS REQUIRING UNVACCINATED FOLKS TO MASK UP, BUT IT DOES NOT REALLY POLICE THE MANDATE, AND SOME DO COMPLAIN.

>> AND MIGHT BE ONE OR TWO PEOPLE BUT I THINK THEY ARE JUST FED UP WITH THE WHOLE SITUATION.

SOME PEOPLE ARE STILL SAYING IS NOT A REAL THING, WHICH IS A SHAME.

YOU KNOW QUESTION MARK >> THE BAKERIES MASS MANDATE CAN MAKE SOME PEOPLE THINK TWICE ABOUT COVID.

>> DID YOU GET VACCINATED?

>> I DID NOT.

>> IS A REASON FOR YOU TO PUT THE MASK ON?

>> YES IT IS.

I PLAN ON GETTING VACCINATED.

OBVIOUSLY IN THE BEGINNING I WAS LIKE YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK I NEED THE VACCINATION.

THEN, THE PEOPLE THAT I KNOW GET IT, AND THEN GET--I FELT THE NEED TO GET IT.

>> Reporter: MOST BUSINESSES WERE EAGER FOR GOVERNMENT MANDATES TO MAKE IT EASIER TO ACCEPT A STATEWIDE REQUIREMENT?

>> OF THEIR AS AMENDED FOR STATE WORKERS THAT COMES OUT, IF THE TEACHERS UNION LEANS IN AND SAYS WE WANT A MANDATE FOR OUR TEACHERS, THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY WILL BE A LITTLE MORE HARD-PRESSED TO SAY PLAYED AGAINST A MANDATE, RIGHT?

HOWEVER, IF THERE WAS A MANDATE OUT TO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY WITHOUT AMENDED EQUALLY TO STATE WORKERS AND OUR TEACHERS, ETC., I THINK THAT WE WOULD BE POSED WITH A CHALLENGING SITUATION AT BEST.

>> SO FAR, NEW JERSEY'S REQUIRED VACCINATIONS FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS, STAFF, AND LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES AND OTHER VULNERABLE SETTINGS, LIKE RAISINS.

>> THEY ASKED ABOUT TEACHERS AND WHAT IS OUR MINDSET, OTHER FOLKS ARE LOOKING AT LAW ENFORCEMENT.

YOU MENTIONED MAIN STREET BUSINESSES UNDER CONSIDERATION.

YOU WANT TO START WITH THE MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES FIRST.

>> Reporter: HE EXPECTS TO ANNOUNCE POLICY DECISIONS WITHIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> MEDICAL EXPERTS ARE CLOSELY WATCHING THE RETURN TO IN PERSON LEARNING AT SCHOOLS THIS FALL.

AND, INTER-ACTIVITIES AS PEDIATRIC COVID CASES CONTINUE RISING TO TROUBLING LEVELS, THE SEVERE ILLNESS IS STILL RARE, HOSPITALIZATIONS AMONG THOSE UNDER THE AGE OF 18 JUMPED FROM JUST UNDER 1% IN JANUARY TO ROUGHLY 2.2% THIS WEEK ACCORDING TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

AN AUTHORIZED VACCINE FOR KIDS 12 AND UNDERSTOOD IN THE WORKS, SO WHAT WILL STILL SCHOOL SYSTEMS LOOK LIKE COME SEPTEMBER?

JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS.

>> WE ARE VERY EXCITED TO BE WALKING OUR KIDS BACK VERY CONFIDENT WE CAN DO IT SAFELY.

>> Reporter: IN THE FINAL STRETCH OF SUMMER, SCHOOL DISTRICT ARE PREPARING FOR WHAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS SET WILL BE A FULL RETURN TO THE CLASSROOM, EVEN AS HE DELTA VARIANT CONTINUES TO SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE STATE, IN WEST ORANGE, IT WILL BE THE FIRST TIME STUDENTS ARE BACK FULL-TIME SINCE MARCH OF 2020.

>> WHAT FEELS DIFFERENT THIS YEAR VERSUS THE END OF LAST YEAR?

BECAUSE, BY A LARGE, MANY STUDENTS ARE SO UNVACCINATED.

RATES ARE NOW SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER THAN THEY WERE LAST YEAR WHEN SCHOOL ENDED.

>> THE PRIMARY THING THAT PREVENTED US FROM GETTING INTO A GREATER DEGREE LAST YEAR IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS AND THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT STUDENTS WERE IN THE BUILDING WAS A SOCIAL DISTANCE.

FACTOR.

BUT YOU KNOW, THE REVISED GUIDELINES ARE PRETTY CLEAR ON THIS, WHICH IS THAT OBVIOUSLY, 3 FEET IS THE GOAL, BUT IF WORKING TO ACHIEVE 3 FEET PREVENTS STUDENTS FROM COMING IN FULL-TIME, THEN WE NEED TO IMPLEMENT LAYER PREVENTION STRATEGIES, THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT WE ARE DOING.

>> ONE OF THE STRATEGIES MASKING, WHICH GOVERNOR MURPHY ANNOUNCED LAST WEEK WILL BE REQUIRED IN ALL DISTRICTS, DESPITE OUTREACH FROM SOME OF THE COMMUNITY.

BUT, MANY OF THOSE OPPOSED TO MASKS ARE ALSO OPPOSED TO VACCINES, THAT IS WHERE SOME CHILDREN ARE RUNNING INTO TROUBLE, SAYS PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE DOCTOR, HASSAN.

>> IS THE UNVACCINATED CHILDREN WHO ARE COMING IN WHO HAVE UNDERLYING RISK FACTORS IF THEY ARE THE OBESE OR ASTHMATIC, OR HAVE SICKLE-CELL DISEASE OR CHRONIC ILLNESS, THOSE OF THE KIDS WHO ARE WINDING UP IN OUR ICUs, AND FOR THE MOST PART, CONSISTENTLY THESE CHILDREN ARE COMING FROM HOUSEHOLDS WHERE THE ADULTS HAVE NOT BEEN VACCINATED.

>> SHE SAID THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN BEING HOSPITALIZED IS THE GAME WE SAW IN ADULTS ONLY AROUND THE PANDEMIC.

>> AVERAGING ABOUT MORE THAN 200 KIDS ON A SINGLE DAY, AND MANY YOU KNOW, THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

IN PARTICULAR, THE ADOLESCENT HOSPITALIZATIONS HAVE GONE UP, SO THAT IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING THAT IS WHERE YOU WORRISOME FOR US.

>> SHE HAS NOT SEEN THE COVERT PEDIATRIC CASES IN ICU.

THEY REMAIN ASYMPTOMATIC OR VERY MILD.

SO, KIDS CAN BE SILENT CRITTERS.

BUT, THEY ARE PREPARING FOR AN UPTICK IN THOSE NUMBERS.

>> EVEN AFTER THAT IS A SERIOUS CONCERN BECAUSE THAT INFLAMMATORY SYNDROME FOLLOWS FOR WEEKS AFTER.

COVID INFECTIONS ARE READY AND GEARED UP FOR SEEING A SPIKE IN MSC AS WELL.

>> AS FOR THE RATES WHEN KIDS RETURN TO SCHOOL, HASSAN BELIEVES IT IS POSSIBLE TO CONTROL THE SPREAD EVEN IF DATA IS SIGNIFICANTLY MORE CONTAGIOUS THAN THE PREVIOUS VARIANCE.

>> IF WE WERE TO ADVOCATE FOR VACCINATION AND ALL OF THE ADULTS AROUND THEM INCLUDING THE TEACHERS, AND WE PRACTICE THE SORT OF MITIGATION MEASURES THAT WE DID EARLIER, THAT THE MASKING, THE SOCIAL DISTANCING COULD I DO THINK THAT WE CAN GET HER CHILDREN BACK TO SCHOOL SAFELY.

>> ALL THE ADOLESCENT POPULATION IS AROUND 30% WITH THOSE NOT PARTICULARLY HIGH.

IN THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE, I UNDERSTAND WE ARE AROUND 70%, AND THE STAFF LEVEL, WE ARE ABOVE 70%.

>> THE DISTRICT IS HOSTING A PUPPET VACCINE SITE IN WEST ORANGE HIGH SCHOOL ON AUGUST 31st AND AGAIN ON SEPTEMBER 21st.

FOR ALL ELIGIBLE COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN AN EFFORT TO GET AS MANY STUDENTS VACCINATED AS POSSIBLE FOR THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR.

I AM JOANNA GAGIS, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE MEDICAL REPORT IS PROVIDED BY HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.

AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

>>> FOR YEARS, INMATES AT THE ONLY WOMEN'S PRISONS COMPLAINED ABOUT A CULTURE OF SEXUAL AND PHYSICAL ABUSE.

THE NEW JERSEY THE CORRECTION IS AGREEING TO STRIP FEDERAL OVERSIGHT TO HELP PROTECT THEM.

THE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY FOR WOMEN WILL ENTER INTO A PRE- CONSENT AGREEMENT WITH THE U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OVERHAULING ROLES AND USHERING IN NEW SAFEGUARDS.

IT WAS AN EXPECTED MOVE AFTER A FEDERAL INVESTIGATION FOUND DECISION-MAKERS TURNED A BLIND EYE TO THE CONDITIONS.

LEAH MISHKIN REPORTS.

>> AFTER YEARS OF COMPLAINTS OF INVESTIGATION, THERE WERE MAJOR CHANGES LAID OUT IN A 36 PAGE DOCUMENT WITH THE GOAL OF ENSURING THAT PRISONERS AT THE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY FOR WOMEN ARE PROVIDED WITH CONSTITUTION CONDITIONS THAT PROTECT THEM FROM SEXUAL ABUSE BY STAFF.

>> IS GOING TO BE A FEDERAL MONITOR TO MAKE SURE WE COMPLY WITH THIS TO CREATE >> VISIT ON APRIL 2020, IS REASONABLE CAUSE TO BELIEVE THAT THEY VIOLATED THE EIGHTH AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION BY FAILING TO PROTECT PRISONERS FROM SEXUAL ABUSE BY STAFF.

THEN MEDIA REPORTS CAME OUT ABOUT VIOLENT THIS GRAPHIC VIDEO WAS LATER RELEASED.

>> AIM IS TO IMPROVE >> BREAKDOWN THE CONSENT DECREE WHICH SEEMS TO BE APPROVED BY THE COURTS.

>> THEY PROTECT THE WOMAN INMATES THERE.

THE POLICIES, THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO THE STAFF, WERE TRAINING THEM.

THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO CONDUCT UNANNOUNCED SHIPS TO MAKE SURE THAT STAFF IS FOLLOWING RULES AS WELL AS THE INMATES FOR THEM TO KNOW WHAT THEY NEED TO DO IF THEY ARE THE TERMS OF SUCH ABUSE.

THERE IS ALSO GOING TO BE A MANAGER WHO'S GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT THE FACILITY COMPLIES WITH THE FEDERAL LAWS.

>> ACCORDING TO THE NEW JERSEY FEDERAL CORRECTIONS, THEY WILL MAKE A CHANGE FOR MORE WAYS TO REPORT ABUSE, INCREASE STAFF TRAINING TO CREATING NEW ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER SERVICES ROAD.

>> THE LIMIT INSIDE ARE GETTING THAT.

THERE ARE MORE OUTSIDERS FOR THEM TO TALK WITH THEM AGAIN.

AND, THE RESPONSIVENESS OF THE CENTRAL OFFICE ADMINISTRATION SEEMS TO BE WELL DONE.

>> THE DIRECTOR OF AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE PRISON WATCH PROGRAM BY CURRENT SAYS IT'S A SUB IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, AND SHE'S GOT TO HAVE A CONSENT DEGREE IN PLACE, BECAUSE CHANGE IS STILL NEEDED.

>> THE EXPERIENCE OF THE WOMEN DEPENDING ON WHERE THEY ARE HOUSED IS NOT EQUAL.

THE BIGGEST THING IS THAT WE NEED A CULTURE CHANGE, IN TERMS OF THE OFFICERS.

>> THE ONES I SPEAK TO ON A DAILY BASIS, THERE MISTREATING HER HORRIBLY.

SHE'S ON THE PHONE SCREAMING ONE DAY.

WAS ON THE PHONE WITH HER FOR AN OFFICER AND NOBODY HAD ANYTHING.

>> Reporter: SHE TOLD BO SHE SOUGHT FOR YEARS TO GET THE FIZZLE HE SHUT DOWN.

WHICH GOVERNOR MURPHY ANNOUNCED HE MAY PLAN TO DO.

>> THE STILL SO MANY OTHER BLIND SPOTS.

>> THE CONSENT DECREE SPECIFIES PRISONERS MUST HAVE WAYS TO REPORT INCIDENTS WITHOUT FEAR OF RETALIATION.

THERE ALSO HAS TO BE VIDEO SURVEILLANCE IN ALL THE PRIMARY AREAS WERE PRISONERS GO.

>> I AM HEARING THAT SOME OF THE OFFICERS ARE WEARING THEM AND SOME ARE NOT.

SOME OF THE OFFICERS WHO ARE WEARING CAMERAS HAVE THE CAMERAS, SO I THINK THAT THERE IS A LOT OF INTERNAL MONITORING THAT NEEDS TO GO ON AS WELL.

>> Reporter: THEY HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO ADDRESS THIS, I REALLY WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT THESE CHANGES WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENT IT ALREADY.

>> ACCORDING TO THE DOCUMENT, THE RULES LAID OUT APPLY TO THE FACILITY.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM LEAH MISHKIN.

>> MEANTIME, LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS ARE NOW SHARING INFORMATION ON THE PARTS THAT WERE SUSPENDED OR FIRED FOR MISCONDUCT.

THE FIRST FOR THE STATE, AND THERE'S A TRANSPARENCY, TOP OFFICIALS PROMISED BY PUBLICLY IDENTIFYING THE NAMES VIOLATIONS, AND DISCIPLINE OFFICERS FACED FOR THEIR ACTIONS LAST YEAR.

NOW, IN THE HANDS OF THE PUBLIC.

AND OUR SENIOR WRITER, COLLEEN O'DAY HAS BEEN ANALYZING HUNDREDS OF DOCUMENTS RELEASED LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENT THESE.

SHE IS HERE WITH THE LATEST.

COLLEEN, YOU SPENT CONSIDERABLE TIME FOR THIS TENS OF THOUSANDS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ACROSS THE STATE.

AT FIRST GLANCE, WHAT DID YOU FIND?

>> SO, YOU KNOW, IN TERMS OF LOOKING AT THE SEVERE DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS, THERE WERE NOT MANY, IT INVOLVED A LOT 2 OR 3 OFFICERS.

211 INCIDENTS.

SO THERE WERE SOME OFFICERS WITH MULTIPLE INCIDENTS, BUT YOU KNOW, IT WAS VERY INTERESTING TO SEE THAT SOME OF THE ISSUES TO DEAL WITH OUTSIDE THINGS THAT HAPPEN OUTSIDE OF POLICE WORK AS OPPOSED TO ON THE JOB.

YOU KNOW.

THE POLICE TYPICALLY HAVE A CODE OF CONDUCT, AND IT STRETCHES TO YOU KNOW, 24/7, APPARENTLY.

THEIR ENTIRE LIVES.

>> YEAH, THAT WAS THE ARGUMENT THAT WE HEARD FROM THE UNIONS WHEN THEY WERE FOLLOWING SUIT TO STOP THIS.

WHAT CAN THE PUBLIC DO WITH THIS INFORMATION?

WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM IT THEN?

>> NO, THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT ACTUALLY, IT LOOKS LIKE THE PUBLIC CAN DO IF YOU FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE YOU KNOW, AND IN PROPER TRAFFIC STOP, OR POOR TREATMENT BY AN OFFICER.

MAKING THE COMPLAINT CAN REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

THERE WERE SOME OFFICERS WHO, LET'S SAY ONE OFFICER WAS CITED FOR WRITING FIVE TICKETS FOR SOMEONE.

APPARENTLY THAT WERE IMPROPER.

SO, PEOPLE CERTAINLY CAN, YOU KNOW.

BRING THIS KIND OF THING UP.

I THINK IT'S ALSO COMFORTING TO PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES FOR ACTIONS.

YOU KNOW, IF THE POLICE ARE STEPPING OVER THE LINE, THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES FOR THEIR ACTIONS.

>>'S A PART OF THIS IS OF COURSE TO PUBLICLY IDENTIFY THAT PEOPLE AND OTHERS TRANSPARENCY, BUT IT'S ALSO ABOUT FOLLOWING UP TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS WERE.

FROM WHAT I LOOKED AT A LOT OF THE WEBSITES, IT'S HARD TO DISCERN REALLY WHAT HAPPENED WITH THESE OFFICERS ONCE THEY WERE DISCIPLINE.

>> YES.

THAT IS HARD.

AND YOU KNOW, AS WITH MOST THINGS THAT ARE TRANSPARENT OR TRANSPARENCY RELATED, THE INFORMATION IS ONLY AS GOOD AS THE ACCORDANCE.

SO, THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, YOU KNOW, TRIES TO REALLY UPHOLD SOME FAIRLY STRICT REPORTING GUIDELINES.

OF SOME OF THE INFORMATION THAT WAS PROVIDED THAT WAS FAIRLY SPECIFIC AND SOME WAS EXTRAORDINARILY SPECIFIC AND SOME THEY CANNOT WAIT TO KNOW.

WHAT HAPPENS IN A LOT OF CASES.

>> LIGHT, COLLEEN O'DAY, GREAT REPORTING AS ALWAYS, THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

ANOTHER WAY TO KEEP YOUTH OUT OF THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM.

THE STATE IS LAUNCHING A PILOT PROGRAM TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE TRANSITION BACK INTO THEIR COMMUNITIES AFTER BEING INCARCERATED.

WITHOUT AIMING TO HIM PREVENT THEIR INVOLVEMENT WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN THE FIRST PLACE.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, SIGNING THE LEGISLATION TODAY AS GOVERNOR MURPHY TRAVELS OUT OF THE COUNTRY ON VACATION WITH HIS FAMILY.

THE PILOT PROGRAM WILL OPERATE UNDER THE JUVENILE JUSTICE COMMISSION AND TARGET FOUR CITIES.

CAMDEN, NEWARK, TRENTON, AND PATTERSON, CREATING SO-CALLED RESTORATIVE JUSTICE HUBS.

SPACES WERE YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES CAN GO TO GET COUNSELING TO BUILD THE RELATIONSHIPS AND RESOLVE CONFLICTS.

THE PROGRAM ALSO INCLUDES REENTRY WRAPAROUND SERVICES, PROVIDING SOCIAL SUPPORT, HELP FINDING A JOB, AND MENTOR SHIP.

>> THE PILOT PROGRAM WILL HELP TO CREATE A SAFE, CARING ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR YOUTH, TO HELP ADDRESS THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL CHALLENGES.

IT WILL HELP FACILITATE HEALTH FOR YOUTH, THEIR FAMILIES, AND THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH THEY LIVE.

AND, IT WILL HELP HEAL THE CHALLENGES THEY HAVE ENDURED BY USING TRAUMA INFORMED PRACTICES.

VIOLENCE REDUCTION, AND PEACEMAKING SUPPORTS, AND TOOLS TO ADDRESS THE HARMFUL PATTERNS OF BEHAVIOR.

>> AND OUR SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS REPORT TONIGHT, THE PRICE OF JUST ABOUT EVERY GOOD AND SERVICE IS STILL ON THE RISE.

AND, ECONOMISTS DON'T EXPECT INFLATION TO SLOW DOWN ANYTIME SOON.

CONSUMER DEMAND IS SURGING, AND SUPPLY CHAINS CANNOT KEEP UP.

DATA RELEASED TODAY BY THE FEDERAL LABOR DEPARTMENT SHOW PRICES WERE UP NEARLY 5 AND HALF PERCENT IN JULY, COMPARED TO A YEAR AGO.

AND, IT IS HITTING EVERYTHING FROM NEW AND USED CARS TO HOTELS AND AIRPLANE TICKETS.

THE QUESTION IS, HOW HIGH WILL IT GO?

POLICYMAKERS AT THE FEDERAL RESERVE SAY THE INCREASES ARE DIRECTLY TIED TO THE REOPENING OF THE ECONOMY WITH EXPECTATIONS AND INFLATION TO SETTLE DOWN CLOSER TO THE FEDS 2% ANNUAL PREDICTION.

BUT, OFFICIALS ARE ALSO KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON RISING FRIENDS IN HOME PRICES THAT COULD HURT THE ECONOMIC COMEBACK.

TURNING NOW TO WALL STREET, HERE'S A LOOK AT THE CLOSING NUMBERS TODAY.

>>> THE SEARCH OF THE DELTA VARIANT IS ADDING TO OUR COLLECT OF MENTAL STRAIN.

MEDICAL EXPERTS SAY THE PANDEMIC FATIGUE MANY PEOPLE REPORTED EXPERIENCING OVER THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF ISRAEL AND IN SOME CASES, GETTING STRONGER.

THIS LATEST WAVE OF INFECTIONS, CAUSING A RISING ANXIETY, AND ON CERTAINTY ABOUT THE FUTURE.

CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST, DR. JONATHAN FRIEDMAN SAYS FACING IT MAY BE JUST AS IMPORTANT FOR OUR PERSONAL HEALTH AS IT IS FOR BEATING THE CORONAVIRUS.

HE JOINS ME NOW.

>> DR. FRIEDMAN, FOR SO MANY OF US, IT FEELS LIKE WE CANNOT SHAKE THIS PANDEMIC FATIGUE.

IT IS A TERM WE DID NOT EVEN KNOW A YEAR AND HALF AGO.

>> YES, IT'S REALLY COME UPON US IN A WAY THAT WE, NONE OF US WERE REALLY EXPECTING AND WE CERTAINLY WERE NOT HOPING FOR.

AND THINK OF IT BASICALLY IS HAVING TO RUN A HALF MARATHON AFTER WE'VE ALREADY RUN A MARATHON.

AND OF COURSE, IS THE OPPOSITE OF A THINK THE PEOPLE WERE EXPECTING AT THIS POINT.

PEOPLE WERE EXPECTING THINGS TO CONTINUE OPENING UP AND SCHOOL GOING BACK, AND OBVIOUSLY, THOSE THINGS ARE NO LONGER HAPPENING, AND IT SEEMS AS THOUGH WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BACKTRACK A LITTLE BIT IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THAT WE REMAIN AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE.

>> YOU KNOW, GOT A NEW WAVE OF MASK MANDATES, JUST INSTATED FOR OUR STUDENTS AND OUR TEACHERS.

IT LOOKS AS THOUGH IT MAY COME BACK STATEWIDE.

HOW DOES THAT PLAY INTO PEOPLE WHO ARE TIRED OF BEING COOKED APPEARED TIRED OF WEARING MASKS.

AND PERHAPS BEING CARELESS BECAUSE OF IT.

>> >> THEY WERE VERY UPSET BY THAT PROCESS OF COURSE.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I SPOKE ABOUT WAS, WHAT EFFECT THIS COULD HAVE ON CHILDREN AND STUDENTS THAT ARE NOW GOING BACK TO SCHOOL.

SOMEWHAT UNEXPECTEDLY.

THE QUOTE UNQUOTE GOOD NEWS IS.

THESE THINGS ARE UNLIKELY TO LEAVE PERMANENT SCARS OR DAMAGE LONG-TERM.

IN FACT, THE WELL-BEING OF THOSE CHILDREN.

BUT THE BAD NEWS, UNFORTUNATELY THAT IT CAN DO THINGS TO SLOW THE SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT PICKING UP ON SOCIAL CUES, THEY'RE NOT SEEING PEOPLE'S FACES THE SAME WAY, AND THEY CAN ALSO EXACERBATE EXISTING CONDITIONS.

OF COURSE THERE ARE PLENTY OTHERS, I'M SURE THAT YOU BEEN FOCUSING ON WHAT I REALLY PREDISPOSED AMENDED TO FEELING THIS WAY.

>> IF THEY HAVE FRACTURED AND HAS TENSE STRESSFUL FAMILY LIVES, THEY ARE MORE VULNERABLE TO THE EFFECTS OF THIS ONGOING PANDEMIC.

AND JUST THE SENSE THAT THIS IS DRAGGING ON FOREVER, AND THE EXPERIENCE OF WHAT IS EFFECTIVELY A LOSS OF CONTROL OVER EVENTS AND THE LOSS OF PREDICTABILITY OVER WHEN THIS IS GOING TO END.

>> ONE OF THE TELLTALE SIGNS, AND HOW DO WE KNOW IF THIS IS TURNING INTO SOMETHING THAT IS GETTING WORSE?

THAT WE NEED TO SEEK TREATMENT FOR?

>> WELL, ULTIMATELY SOMETHING THAT PARENTS IN PARTICULAR CAN LOOK OUT FOR IN THEIR CHILDREN, WOULD BE FOR EXAMPLE, INVOICE, THINGS THAT MIGHT MANIFEST MORE AS ACTING OUT BEHAVIORS, THINGS LIKE ANGRY OUTBURSTS AND THINGS OF THAT SORT.

AND, FOR EXAMPLE, WITH GIRLS, YOU MIGHT BE LOOKING FOR ARE THEY ISOLATING, STAYING AWAY FROM FRIENDS AND MOST IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIPS?

YOU KNOW, IF THERE IS A MARKET DEPARTURE FROM A CERTAIN HABIT OR PATTERN OF BEHAVIORS THAT YOU'RE ACCUSTOMED TO, THEN YOU SAY SOMETHING QUITE DIFFERENT THAN THAT, WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS TO BE PROACTIVE AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU TAKE STEPS EARLIER, RATHER THAN LATER TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES, AND GET THE HELP AND SUPPORT THAT IS NEEDED.

>> DR. JONATHAN FRIEDMAN, THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR INSIGHT TODAY.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

>> IS BECOMING HIS MOST USED PROP.

CAMDEN MAYOR, THAT CAR STARTER AND WAS BACK WITH A BULLHORN IN HAND TUESDAY MARCHING THROUGH THE STREETS OF THE CITY LEADING A PARADE PROMOTING THE COVID-19 VACCINATION, KNOCKING ON DOORS AND PROVIDING THE VACCINE ON THE SPOT.

WITH THE HELP OF MEDICAL WORKERS, AND A MOBILE UNIT.

ACCORDING TO THE MAYOR'S OFFICE, 59% OF RESIDENTS IN THE CITY AGED 18 AND OLDER HAVE RECEIVED AT LEAST ONE DOSE OF THE VACCINE, THAT IS A 5% JUMP FROM ABOUT FOUR WEEKS AGO.

MUCH LIKE THE REST OF THE STATE, CAMDEN COUNTY IS ALSO SEEING A RISE IN THE NUMBER OF 18 TO 29-YEAR-OLD TESTING POSITIVE FOR THE VIRUS.

THE MAYOR SAYS BRINGING THE VACCINE RIGHT TO RESIDENT STORES IS JUST ONE METHOD HE IS USING TO PUSH FORWARD AND TO DISPEL UNCERTAINTY ABOUT GETTING A SHOT.

IT DOES NOT HURT TO HAVE A LITTLE HELP FROM THE CAMDEN COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE CAMPTON HAS A MARCHING BAND.

THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT, BUT YOU CAN HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG OR ANY OF OUR SOCIAL CHANNELS TO CONTINUE FOLLOWING OUR REPORTING.

FOR NOW, I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FROM THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY NJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

AND, HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

AND, BY THE PSEG FOUNDATION.

>> I AM MILES, AND THIS IS WHAT I WORK FOR PEER TO BE MY BEST FOR THEM AND FOR ME, IN BODY, AND IN MINE.

I NEED TO HELP ENSURE THE HEALTH GET THE CARE I NEED FOR BOTH, THE HAS MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS THAT I CAN TALK TO AND I NEED TO BECAUSE WHEN I FEEL STRONG AND SECURE, SO DO THEY.

THIS IS MY LIFE.

AND THIS IS HOW HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY WORKS FOR ME.