FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJBARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND ORSTED.

COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW, LONG-TERM, SUSTAINABLE, CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>> AT EVENING.

THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS TUESDAY NIGHT.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>>> THE BACKLASH CONTINUES FOR BIG TECH AND SOCIAL MEDIA GIANTS.

THE SOCIAL DISTRICT OF THE CHATHAM'S IS SUING FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, SNAPCHATTED, TICK-TOCK FRAME, GOOGLE, AND YOUTUBE IN FEDERAL COURT.

CLAIMING THAT THEY ARE CAUSING, QUOTE, SEVERE MENTAL HARM TO YOUNG PEOPLE.

THE SUIT IS SEEKING CHANGES TO POLICIES.

EXTENSIVE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

WHAT THEY HAD TO PROVIDE ALL AS A RESULT OF ALLEGED ADDICTIVE AND HARMFUL TACTICS MEANT TO PRAY ON YOUTH.

THIS IS BELIEVED TO BE THE FIRST SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE STATE TO TAKE THE COMPANIES TO COURT.

NOT THE FIRST TIME ALLEGATIONS LIKE THESE HAVE BEEN LODGED.

IT WAS FILED AFTER 14-YEAR-OLD CENTRAL REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT ADRIANA KUCH DIED BY SUICIDE FOLLOWING RELENTLESS BULLYING.

FROM THE FENNEGAN REPORTS THAT STUDENTS AND PARENTS ARE CALLING OUT WHAT THEY SAY IS A GROWING CULTURE OF BULLYING AND LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> WHAT IS FRUSTRATING IS THE FAMILIARITY OF IT.

WE SHOULD KNOW BETTER BY NOW.

>> Reporter: DIANE GROSSMAN LOST HER DAUGHTER MALLORY TO SUICIDE AFTER THE 12-YEAR-OLD WAS BULLIED IN SCHOOL AND ONE IN ROCKAWAY.

SHE FELT A SICKENING SENSE OF DEJA VU WATCHING PARENTS AND STUDENTS AT CENTRAL REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL RAGE OVER ADRIANA KUCH'S DEATH.

THE TEAM TOOK HER LIFE THIS MONTH AFTER FOUR STUDENTS ASSAULTED HER IN SCHOOL AND POSTED CELL PHONE VIDEOS.

>> THIS CASE IS A PRIME EXAMPLE.

THOSE CHILDREN DID NOT FEAR SUSPENSION, GETTING CAUGHT WITH THEIR CELL PHONES.

THEY DID NOT FEAR RECORDING IT.

THEY CERTAINLY DIDN'T FEAR POSTING AN ONLINE TO SHAME HER.

>> Reporter: GROSSMAN IS AN ANTI-BULLYING ADVOCATE.

MILLER IS LAW, NAMED FOR HER DAUGHTER, REQUIRES DISTRICTS TO LIST CONSEQUENCES FOR BULLYING AND LET PARENTS FILE COMPLAINTS WITH THE SCHOOLS.

GROSSMAN SAYS IT'S NOT ENOUGH.

SHE CITED CENTRAL REGIONAL REACTION.

>> IMAGINE THE MESSAGE THAT WOULD HAVE SENT TO EVERY STUDENT IN THE BUILDING HAD THOSE GIRLS LEFT IN HANDCUFFS.

I THINK SCHOOL SYSTEMS NEED TO BE TRAINED.

THEY NEED TO UNDERSTAND AND THEY NEED TO STOP HIDING BEHIND THE WORD BULLY AND START REALLY DISCIPLINING SOME OF THIS BEHAVIOR.

WE NEED TO BE PREPARED TO KICK THE KIDS OFF THE SOCCER TEAMS.

KICK THEM OFF THE FOOTBALL TEAMS.

>> LEGISLATORS FROM THE DISTRICT WHERE ADRIANA LIVED PLAN TO REQUIRE SCHOOLS TO IMMEDIATELY REPORT ASSAULTS ON STUDENTS THAT CAUSE INJURY TO POLICE.

HELPED CRAFT THE BULLYING BILL OF RIGHTS ADVISED CAUTION.

>> THIS HAS NEVER BEEN SHOWN TO BE EFFECTIVE IN PREVENTING VIOLENCE IN SCHOOLS.

THAT'S NOT TO SAY THAT YOU SHOULD NOT CALL THE POLICE, DEPENDING ON WHAT HAS TAKEN PLACE.

>> Reporter: STEWART GREEN SAYS BULLYING ARISES NOT FROM SINGLE EVENTS AND IT'S A PATTERN THAT REVEALS THE CLIMATE AND CULTURE.

THE CENTRAL REGIONAL BOARD MEETING HAD A 2014 GRADUATE SAYING SHE WAS BULLIED THERE.

>> STANDING HERE TODAY, I WONDER HOW THE CUSTOMER HAS CONTINUED TO FAIL FOR OVER A DECADE.

WHY DOES THE CULTURE AND POWER BULLIES TO GO UNPUNISHED?

>> THERE ARE KIDS IN THE SCHOOL WHO REPEATEDLY DO THIS KIND OF THING.

THE SCHOOL HAS EASY AWARENESS OF WHO THOSE KIDS ARE AND DOES NOT DO ANYTHING IN ADVANCE TO KEEP THOSE KIDS FROM BEHAVING THAT WAY.

>> Reporter: GREEN RECOMMENDS REQUIRING SCHOOLS TO DO A BETTER JOB REPORTING THESE INSTANCES.

HER SON, TYLER, COMMITTED SUICIDE AFTER BEING BULLIED AT RUTGERS UNIVERSITY.

HIS DEATH PROMPTED NEW JERSEY TO PASS THE ANTI-BULLYING LAW IN 2011.

>> CALLS ARE --SCHOOLS ARE AFRAID TO REPORT BULLYING SITUATIONS.

MAYBE PASSIVELY BECAUSE IT WILL HURT THE RANKINGS.

THE OUTWARD APPEARANCE TO THE BROADER COMMUNITY.

IT'S JUST FOOLISHNESS TO ALLOW THIS AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR.

>> FIND AN ADULT IF THEY WITNESS BULLYING.

SHE ALSO SAYS, CONSEQUENCES MATTER.

>> THE SUSPENSION DOES NOT DO ANYTHING.

IF YOU EXPEL SOMETHING, IT DOES NOT DO ANYTHING.

THE PERSON JUST GOES TO ANOTHER SCHOOL.

THEY CONTINUED THAT BEHAVIOR IN ANOTHER SCHOOL.

IT'S ABOUT GETTING INTERVENTION SO THAT THEIR BEHAVIOR, THEY CAN UNDERSTAND AND SEE THAT THEIR BEHAVIOR IS WRONG.

>> NOT MANY FAMILIES TAKE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO COURT OVER BULLYING INCIDENTS BECAUSE IT IS EXPENSIVE, SAYS ATTORNEY JAMIE EPSTEIN.

>> IT MIGHT BE CHEAPER TO SELL THEIR HOUSE AND MOVE TO ANOTHER DISTRICT OR PAY TUITION SOMEWHERE ELSE.

>> UNDER THE LAW, SCHOOL DISTRICTS DO NOT HAVE TO COVER ATTORNEY FEES EVEN IF THEY LOSE THE CASE.

THEY SAY THAT SHOULD CHANGE.

AS FOR CYBER BULLYING, THE CHATHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS SUED MULTIPLE SOCIAL MEDIA GIANTS LIKE TIK-TOK AND INSTAGRAM.

DIANE GROSSMAN WANTS TO SEE FEDERAL LEGISLATION.

>> NUMBER ONE, WE GOT TO CHANGE THE CYBER COMPONENT.

I THINK CYBER BULLYING, FROM A FEDERAL LEVEL, SHOULD BE LISTED AS A HATE CRIME.

>> SHE HOPES FOR A CHANGE EVEN THERE SHE OFFERS CONDOLENCES TO ADRIANA'S FAMILY.

BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> ATTITUDES TOWARDS ABORTION ARE SHIFTING IN THE STATE.

A POLL OUT TODAY FINDS A MAJORITY OF RESIDENTS, 62%, DESCRIBED THEMSELVES AS PRO-CHOICE ON THE ISSUE VERSUS 29%, WHO IDENTIFY AS PRO-LIFE.

THAT'S A SIGNIFICANT JOB OVER THE LAST DECADE UP FROM 54% OF RESPONDENTS WHO HAD PRO-CHOICE VIEWS THEN.

THE PARTISAN DIVIDE, THOUGH, HAS DEEPENED ON THE ISSUE.

AND A PERSON'S POSITION ON ABORTION IS ALMOST A PROXY FOR THEIR POLITICAL PARTY AFFILIATION.

OVERALL, THOUGH, 35% OF RESIDENTS PULLED SAID THEY BELIEVE ABORTION SHOULD ALWAYS BE LEGAL WHILE 39% FAVOR LEGAL ABORTION WITH SOME LIMITATIONS.

ON THE OTHER END OF THE SPECTRUM, ONLY 3% SAID IT SHOULD ALWAYS BE ILLEGAL.

THE POLL POINTS OUT NEW JERSEY GOP SUPPORT FOR ABORTION IS HIGHER THAN IT IS FOR REPUBLICANS NATIONALLY.

VOTING HAS ALSO BECOME A POLARIZING TOPIC.

NOT JUST NATIONALLY BUT HERE IN NEW JERSEY WITH ALLEGATIONS OF HER LIMITED ACCESS TO POLLING SITES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND LANGUAGE BARRIERS, JUST TO NAME A FEW.

TODAY, ADVOCATES RALLIED IN TRENTON, PUSHING FOR LEGISLATION THAT WILL PROTECT VOTING RIGHTS IN THE STATE.

AS FEARS MOUNT ABOUT THAT U.S. SUPREME COURT COULD SOON RULE ON THE CASE THAT WOULD AFFECT THE LANDMARK FEDERAL VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF 1965.

RAVEN SANTANA IS STANDING BY IN TRENTON WITH THE LATEST.

>> I'M HERE AT THE STATEHOUSE WHERE, EARLIER TODAY, ABOUT 50 PEOPLE, INCLUDING LEGISLATORS AND ADVOCATES GATHERED TO LAUNCH A CAMPAIGN.

JOHN LEWIS VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF NEW JERSEY, WHICH ENSURES EQUITABLE ACCESS TO VOTING.

ESPECIALLY FOR COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

TODAY ALSO MARKS THE CIVIL RIGHT ICONS BIRTHDAY.

WHICH THEY USE TO PUSH LEGISLATION THAT THEY SAY IS CRITICAL TO PREVENTING DISCRIMINATORY VOTING FOR SINS.

>> WE HAVE BEEN CORRECTLY RELYING ON THE FEDERAL VOTING RIGHTS ACT FROM 1965.

IT IS SO MONUMENTAL AND IT IS FOUNDATIONAL TO VOTING RIGHTS.

>> THE SUPREME COURT OVERTURNED THE HEART OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT IN SHALL BE THE HOLDER.

IN THAT BILL, THEY TOOK AWAY PRECLEARANCE.

WE NEED TO CODIFY THAT IN NEW JERSEY SO WHEN YOU HAVE JURISDICTIONS SHOWING PROBLEMS THAT HAVE A CONSISTENT ISSUE WITH ELECTION AFTER ELECTION, YOU SHOULD HAVE A HIGHER AUTHORITY BE ABLE TO INVESTIGATE THEM.

BE ABLE TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE VOTERS ARE NOT FACING THESE ISSUES IN THE FUTURE.

WE NEED THE STATE TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

THAT'S WHAT THIS BILL WILL DO.

>> WHEN YOU THINK OF DISCRIMINATION, RACISM, BIGOTRY, YOU THINK OF PLACES LIKE ALABAMA, MISSISSIPPI, FLORIDA.

NEW JERSEY IS NOT AT THE TOP OF THE LIST.

BUT WHEN YOU ACTUALLY LOOK AT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE VOTING, THERE'S A GREAT DISPARITY BETWEEN PEOPLE REGISTERED AND THOSE WHO ARE ACTUALLY ABLE TO CAST THEIR BALLOT.

>> Reporter: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT THESE VOTERS FACE AND HOW CAN THIS BILL REMEDY THAT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ACROSS THE STATE, WE SEE PATTERNS, TIME AND TIME AGAIN, THE VOTERS OF COLOR FACE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES WHEN THEY DO GO TO THE POLLING LOCATIONS.

OFTENTIMES, THOSE COMMUNITIES ARE THE ONES THAT HAVE POLLING LOCATIONS THAT OPEN LATE OR HAVE VERY LONG LINES THAT THEY HAVE TO WAIT IN.

THERE ARE PHYSICAL BARRIERS THAT IMPEDE THE ACCESS TO VOTING LOCATIONS AND MACHINES THAT WOULD HELP THOSE WHO ARE, SAY, VOTING BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED ACTUALLY BE ABLE TO LOOK AT THEIR BALLOTS AND VOTE.

>> TOO MANY OF THE PEOPLE WHO VOTED HAD THE BALLOTS REJECTED.

THEY WERE VERY, VERY ANGRY ABOUT THAT FACT.

EVEN THOUGH THEY VOTED, THEY GOT A LETTER SAYING THE VOTE WASN'T COUNTED.

WHAT'S THE POINT OF VOTING?

WE STILL HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND IN NEW JERSEY, TOO.

I THINK WE'VE GOT TO DO A BETTER JOB OF TRAINING OUR POLL WORKERS AS WELL AS OUR VOTERS.

>> DO YOU FORESEE THIS BEING PASSED BY NEXT YEAR?

>> I DO.

AND WE ARE IN BLACK HISTORY MONTH.

WE ALWAYS UPLIFT OUR HEROES.

MARTIN LUTHER KING.

JOHN LEWIS TODAY.

NOT JUST USE OUR NAMES, BUT STAND FOR WHAT THEY ARE ALL ABOUT AND THAT IS PROTECTING OUR DEMOCRACY AND MAKING SURE EVERYBODY HAS ACCESS TO THE POLLS.

>> THE BILL IS CURRENTLY PENDING IN THE LEGISLATURE AND ADVOCATES SAY THEY ARE WORKING WITH LEGISLATORS TO STRENGTHEN IT.

AS YOU JUST HEARD, LEGISLATORS I SPOKE WITH SAID THEY ARE OPTIMISTIC THAT THE BILL WILL PASS.

IN THE MEANTIME, ADVOCATES SAY THEY'LL CONTINUE TO HOLD RALLIES AND EVENTS LIKE THE ONE TODAY IN ORDER TO BOTH EDUCATE AND ADVOCATE FOR BOATERS.

VOTERS.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

BACK TO YOU.

>>> A RECENT CAR CRASH IN DOWNTOWN JERSEY CITY IS SHEDDING LIGHT ON WHAT NEIGHBORS SAY IS A LONG-STANDING PROBLEM.

911 CALLS BEING MET WITH EXTENSIVE WAIT TIMES.

SOME GOING UNANSWERED.

REIGNITING DEMANDS FOR INVESTIGATION AND INVESTMENT TO BE MADE INTO THAT CITY'S AGING DISPATCH SYSTEM.

SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ REPORTS.

>> THIS IS THE VIDEO SHOT BY A RESIDENT ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE DOCK AREA RESTAURANT.

USUALLY IT IS A QUIET SECTION OF DOWNTOWN.

YOU CAN HEAR THE COUPLES EXASPERATION AS THEY TRIED TO GET THROUGH TO A 911 OPERATOR.

COUNCILMAN JAMES SULLIVAN REPRESENTS DOWNTOWN.

>> A NUMBER OF PEOPLE CALLED 911.

SOME GOT THROUGH.

IT GOT DISPATCHED TO JCP D BUT NUMEROUS CALLS DID NOT GET THROUGH.

I SPOKE TO THE GENERAL MANAGER AND A NUMBER OF RESIDENTS LIVING NEARBY WHO SAID HEY, I CALLED.

I DID NOT GET A CALL BACK FOR 10, 20 MINUTES.

OBVIOUSLY, THEY'VE LOST FAITH.

>> IN A CITY WHERE A THIRD OF THE MUNICIPAL BUDGET GOES TO PUBLIC SAFETY, RESIDENCE SAY AND UNRESPONSIVE 911 SERVICE IS SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE.

>> THIS IS BEEN A RECURRING PROBLEM OVER THE YEARS.

IN 2016, THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT DOWNTOWN WHERE PEOPLE CALLED AND AGAIN, NO ANSWER.

EVERY FEW YEARS, THIS POPS UP AND WE HAVE REVIEWS AND THEN NOTHING HAPPENS.

>> NOT TOO FAR FROM THE SCENE OF THE INCIDENT.

SHE SAYS SHE HAS PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH 911 DELAYS.

>> IF SOMEONE IN YOUR FAMILY IS HAVING A HEART ATTACK OR AN EMERGENCY, YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO CALL 911 AND GET MEDICAL HELP.

IF YOU ARE CALLING AND NO ONE IS ANSWERING, THAT IS A FAILURE AT THE MOST BASIC LEVEL.

>> Reporter: CAM JOHNSON WHO HAS WORKED WITH THE ANTIVIOLENCE COALITION OF HUDSON COUNTY BRINGS HER INTO REGULAR CONTACT WITH CRIME VICTIMS.

>> IN SOME CASES, NO ONE ANSWERS.

THAT'S A HUGE PROBLEM.

SINCE A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING IN A DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOOD THAT FOLKS PAY ATTENTION TO, IT IS GETTING ATTENTION.

THAT'S UNFORTUNATE BUT WE WILL TAKE IT.

>> AT THE TIME, EVEN THE INITIAL FOUR OR FIVE MINUTES, WE RECEIVED 200 CALLS ABOUT SEVERAL MAJOR INCIDENTS HAPPENING AT THE SAME TIME.

>> JIM SHEA SAYS THE DEPARTMENT, WHICH HANDLES ABOUT 33,000 CALLS PER MONTH, IS LOOKING INTO THE INCIDENT AT THE RESTAURANT.

BUT HE IS NOT AWARE OF A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH THE CITY 911 SYSTEM.

HE ADMITS TO STAFF SHORTAGES, COVID RELATED, MOSTLY, AND A SYSTEM BOGGED DOWN BY MORE REGULATION THAN INNOVATION.

I MEAN, IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU NEED A WHOLE NEW SYSTEM.

>> I THINK I'M GOING TO AGREE WITH YOU.

NO QUESTION.

GOVERNMENT TECHNOLOGY USUALLY LAGS.

CIVILIAN TO ELEGY, CIVILIANS TEND TO ADAPT QUICKER THAN WE DO BECAUSE WE HAVE PURCHASING LAWS AND BIDDING LAWS AND WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH ALL KINDS OF BACKGROUND.

WE HAVE A 911 SYSTEM THAT WAS DESIGNED THAT WORKS.

NOW IT'S NOT BUT IT'S NOT RESPONDING TO OUR MODERN ENVIRONMENT.

IT'S THAT IT'S CAPABLE OF BEING OVERWHELMED.

>> I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE ISSUE IS, BUT THE POWERS THAT BE KNOW WHAT THE ISSUES ARE AND THEY HAVE TO DIVE REALLY DEEP TO CREATE A SYSTEM THAT IS WORKING FOR EACH RESIDENT IN EACH NEIGHBORHOOD OF JERSEY CITY.

>> Reporter: EVERYONE AGREES THAT A 20 MINUTE WAIT FOR ANY EMERGENCY CALL IS UNACCEPTABLE.

BUT WHAT RESIDENTS SAY THEY EXPERIENCED DOES NOT MATCH WHAT OFFICIALS SAY RESIDENTS EXPERIENCED.

THE DISCONNECT COULD MEAN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH.

DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> MEANWHILE, A DIFFERENT FORM OF CRISIS HELP IS BEING DELIVERED DIRECTLY ON WHEELS TO SOUTH JERSEY COMMUNITIES IN NEED.

A MOBILE OUTREACH VEHICLE IS BEING DISPATCHED THROUGHOUT ATLANTIC COUNTY IN HOPES OF BOOSTING RECOVERY AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR PEOPLE STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTION.

ADVOCATES TELL TED GOLDBERG ABOUT THE UNIT IS ONE CRUCIAL BREAKAWAY AWAY FROM CRUCIAL CARE.

>> THIS WORKS.

BUT UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE LEARNED THAT THERE ARE JUST AS MANY PEOPLE AND POSSIBLY EVEN MORE WITH A SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER THAT NEVER WILL ACCESS SERVICES IN A BRICK-AND-MORTAR FACILITY LIKE THIS.

>> Reporter: THANKS TO A FEDERAL GRANT AND STATE FUNDING -- >> IT'S A HEALTHCARE FACILITY ON WHEELS.

>> THIS AND WILL PROVIDE HEALTHCARE SERVICES FOR PEOPLE IN CALLAWAY AND ATLANTIC CITY.

>> ORIGINALLY, FOR PEOPLE TO TRAVEL, USE FOR FAMILIES.

RECREATIONAL USE.

WE REALLY NEEDED TO RECONFIGURE IT TO PROVIDE MEDICAL SERVICES.

TO PROVIDE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES.

>> Reporter: THIS MAN RECEIVES $300,000 IN UPGRADES.

HE WILL SERVE A VARIETY OF PATIENTS WHO MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO REACH THE JOHN BROOKS RECOVERY CENTER.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE IS AN EXAM ROOM.

WE HAVE TO HAVE A PLACE FOR AN EXAM TABLE.

WE HAVE AN AREA WHERE WE CAN MEET PRIVATELY WITH INDIVIDUALS TO DO RECOVERY.

COACHING.

CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES.

THERE IS REFRIGERATION.

THERE IS A SINK.

THERE IS A BATHROOM THERE.

WE CAN DO COUNSELING AND EVALUATION FOR MENTAL HEALTH, FOR SUBSTANCE USE.

>> IT'S NOT EXACTLY A NEW CONCEPT IN NEW JERSEY TO FANS OR BUSES PROVIDE MOBILE HEALTHCARE.

THE DIFFERENCE IS THIS YOUR DEPTH OF SERVICES OFFERED BY THIS CONVERTED RV HERE IN SOUTH JERSEY.

>> WE CAN DISTRIBUTE MEDICATIONS LIKE NARCAN, NALOXONE TO HELP PEOPLE DEAL WITH THEIR PROBLEMS AND PREVENT OVERDOSE.

>> THIS IS THE SERVICE THAT WE NEEDED TO GO OUT IN THE COMMUNITY.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T LIKE TO COME OUT.

>> Reporter: KEITH STRICKLAND HAS WORKED AS A RECOVERY SPECIALIST HERE FOR TWO YEARS.

>> I LOVE MY WORK.

I LOVE MY WORK.

>> Reporter: HE HAS BEEN CLEAN FIVE YEARS AND SAYS A VAN LIKE THIS COULD OF MADE A HUGE DIFFERENCE FOR HIM WHEN HE WAS YOUNGER AND ADDICTED TO DRUGS AND ALCOHOL.

>> DO WE NEED A MAN IN A VAN LIKE THIS TO GO AROUND AND TALK TO THEM, AS WELL.

WE ARE GOING INTO GIVING SERVICES OUT TO THEM.

MAYBE WE CAN STILL GIVE OUT GUIDANCE TO THESE YOUNG KIDS WHEN THEY SEE THE VAN.

>> I THINK IT IS A GOOD IDEA.

I THINK IT IS EXCELLENT.

LIKE YOU KNOW, SOME PEOPLE CAN'T MAKE IT TO THE FACILITY.

I THINK IT'S GOOD THAT JOHN CAME UP WITH BRINGING IT TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> CHRISTINE DAVENPORT WILL BE THE FIRST PERSON TO TAKE A HEALTHCARE CENTER FOR A SPIN.

>> AM VERY EXCITED.

IT'S IN YOUR PROGRAM.

WE ARE GOING TO GO OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY AND TRY TO REACH AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE.

>> Reporter: A SIMILAR VAN IS BEING INTRODUCED IN ESSEX COUNTY IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

TED GOLDBERG, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> IN OUR SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS REPORT, A NEW BILL IS AIMED AT HELPING FAMILIES WITH HIGH COST AND AN UNSTEADY ECONOMY.

DEMOCRATIC ASSEMBLYWOMAN TODAY INTRODUCED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD EXPAND NEW JERSEY'S CHILD TAX CREDIT.

PARENTS WOULD BE ABLE TO CLAIM DEPENDENT CHILDREN UP TO THE EDGE OF 6 INSTEAD OF THE CURRENT POLICY, WHICH INCLUDES KIDS 5 AND YOUNGER.

AND BE ELIGIBLE FOR DOUBLE THE MAXIMUM CREDIT AMOUNT FROM $500 TO 1000.

THE ANNUAL INCOME REQUIREMENTS FOR FAMILIES APPLYING WOULD REMAIN THE SAME AT $80,000 PER YEAR BUT THE PROPOSAL INCLUDES OTHER CREDITS TO INCLUDE KIDS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 6 AND 11.

A MOVE THAT SHE SAYS GOOD COMBAT THE RISING PRICES OF GROCERIES, CLOTHING, HOUSING.

JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING RIGHT NOW.

THE LEGISLATION IS SIMILAR TO A PROPOSAL FROM LEFT LEANING NEW JERSEY POLICY PERSPECTIVE WHICH FINDS 440,000 FAMILIES AROUND THE STATE WOULD BENEFIT FROM ANNEX BANDED TAX CREDIT.

>>> DON'T MAKE PLANS TO VISIT THE WATERPARK AT THE AMERICAN DREAM ALL THIS WEEK.

IT IS CLOSED INDEFINITELY AFTER A DECORATIVE HELICOPTER FELL INTO THE POOL SUNDAY AFTERNOON AROUND 3:00 P.M., INJURING FOUR PEOPLE.

VIDEO FROM A BYSTANDER SHOWS A CONFUSED GROUT AND LIFEGUARD RUSHING TO THE SCENE.

STATE OFFICIALS DECLARED THE WATERPARK AND UNSAFE STRUCTURE, ORDERING ALL OPERATIONS IN THE WATERPARK SECTION OF THE MALL TO SHUT DOWN UNTIL AN INVESTIGATION AND INSPECTIONS ARE FINISHED.

ALL FOUR PEOPLE WERE TREATED FOR THEIR INJURIES AND DIRECT ADDICTED TO BE OKAY.

THE CLOSURE DOES NOT AFFECT OTHER ATTRACTIONS OF THE MALL.

THIS IS JUST THE LATEST INCIDENT IN WHAT HAS BEEN A ROCKY START OF THE ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX, SINCE OPENING IN 2019.

LAST SPRING, THE MALL WAS LOCKED DOWN AFTER A MAN WAS SHOT INSIDE THE FACILITY AND SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES.

IN DECEMBER, A LONG ISLAND MAN DIED AFTER FALLING FROM THE SKI SLOPE.

THIS MONTH, LENDERS HELPED FINANCE THE LONG CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROJECT SUED THE OWNERS, SAYING THAT THEY ARE OWED NEARLY $400 MILLION.

>>> HERE IS A LOOK AT HOW THE MARKET HAS CLOSED.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY THE NEW JERSEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

ANNOUNCING A RENEWED JERSEY BUSINESS EXPO IN ATLANTIC CITY.

DETAILS ONLINE AT NJ CHAMBER.COM.

>>> BEFORE WE LEAVE YOU TONIGHT, WE WANT TO REMIND YOU ABOUT OUR LATEST DIGITAL PROJECT.

IT'S COLD WATER'S EDGE.

THE TRIALS AND TRIBUTARIES OF THE DELAWARE RIVER WATERSHED.

IT'S A MULTIPART SERIES EXAMINING THE TROUBLED HISTORY OF THE DELAWARE RIVER TRANSFORMATION FROM A POLLUTED BODY OF WATER FULL OF SEWAGE AND CHEMICAL WASTE TO A RECREATIONAL DESTINATION FOR THE REGION.

TONIGHT OUR CONTRIBUTOR AND WRITER JOHN HURTLE HAS A LOOK AT THE MOST DENSELY POPULATED URBAN STRETCH.

A FORMER POSTER CHILD FOR POLLUTION TURNED MODEL FOR LARGE-SCALE ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANUP.

NOW THE FOCUS OF DISCUSSION IS OVER HOW TO FINISH THE DECADE-LONG JOB OF REVIVING THE RIVER.

JOHN HURTLE JOINS ME NOW.

JOHN, THIS IS A BIT OF A CAUTIONARY TALE HERE.

WHICH STRETCH OF THE RIVER AT BECKLEY ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?

AND WHAT IS THE BIGGEST THREAT BEING POSED THERE?

>> THE STRETCH OF THE RIVER IS A 38 MILE STRETCH BETWEEN NEW JERSEY AND WILMINGTON, DELAWARE.

THAT IS THE MOST URBAN AND INDUSTRIALIZED STRETCH OF THE DELAWARE RIVER.

SOME OF THAT USED TO BE KNOWN AS THE DEAD ZONE.

IT WAS VERY HEAVILY POLLUTED UNTIL ABOUT THE MIDDLE OF THE 20th CENTURY.

IT WAS SO BADLY POLLUTED THAT THE SHORTAGE OF OXYGEN IN THE WATER THERE ACTUALLY PREVENTED FISH FROM MIGRATING AND MOVING UPSTREAM SO THEY COULD BREED.

>> DESPITE THE CLEANUP, THOUGH, THERE ARE STILL ISSUES OUTSTANDING WITH THOSE OXYGEN LEVELS AND THE STANDARDS FOR THEM.

WHERE IS THAT NOW?

>> REGULATORS AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL ARE NOW WORKING ON REDUCING, OR RATHER, INCREASING THE DISSOLVED OXYGEN STANDARD SO THAT FISH ARE BETTER ABLE TO MIGRATE AND BREED.

THEY CAN ALREADY DO THAT TO SOME EXTENT.

BUT WHAT THE REGULATORS ARE LOOKING FOR IS AN IMPROVEMENT IN THOSE CONDITIONS.

IT ASSUMING THAT THE IMPROVEMENT IS ACHIEVED, IT WILL APPROVE CONDITIONS FOR RECREATION USES LIKE FISHING, SAILING, MAYBE EVEN SWIMMING.

FOR PEOPLE TO USE THAT SECTION OF THE RIVER.

>> THE RESULT OF WHAT?

WASTEWATER IN THE AREA?

RUNOFF?

WHAT EXACTLY IS CAUSING IT?

>> THE REASON FOR THE LOW LEVEL DISSOLVED OXYGEN IN THE RIVER IS DUE TO DISCHARGES OF AMMONIA IN HUMAN WASTE FROM NINE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS ALONG THAT SECTION OF THE RIVER.

THREE OF THOSE PLANTS ARE IN NEW JERSEY.

WHAT THE REGULATORS ARE NOW PROPOSING IS TO INSTALL TECHNOLOGY AT EACH OF THOSE NINE PLANS.

IT WOULD ALLOW FOR A REDUCTION IN THE QUANTITY OF AMMONIA.

IT IS THE AMMONIA THAT DEPLETES THE OXYGEN.

THEY ARE AIMING AT ROUGHLY DOUBLING THE DISSOLVED OXYGEN STANDARD.

>> DESPITE THE FACT THAT WE SEE PEOPLE KAYAKING, CANOEING, USING THIS FOR RECREATION, THERE IS A LOT MORE TO BE ADDRESSED THERE.

I REALLY ENJOYED THIS PIECE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> CHECK OUT ALL THE INCREDIBLE REPORTING OUR TEAM HAS DONE ON THE DELAWARE RIVER BASIN.

EXPLORE IT AT THE NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG WEBSITE.

THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>>> NJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES OVER 100 YEARS.

NEW JERSEY REALTORS.

THE BOYS FOR REAL ESTATE IN NEW JERSEY.

MORE INFORMATION IS ONLINE AT NJREALTOR.COM.

AND BY THE PSEG FOUNDATION.

>>> BLACK HISTORY IS VERY IMPORTANT.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT THAT OUR STUDENTS SEE THEMSELVES AND THEY UNDERSTAND WHERE THEY CAME FROM AND WHERE THEY ARE GOING.

IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THEM TO KNOW THAT YOU CAN OVERCOME, JUST LIKE SOME OF THESE PEOPLE IN THE PAST I'VE OVER CALMED.

>> BLACK HISTORY IS EVERYONE'S HISTORY.

THERE IS A TRUTH ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED AND WHAT OUR HISTORY IS AS A COUNTRY.

>> THEY CAN BE APPRECIATIVE OF WHERE WE ARE MOVING IN THE COUNTRY AND ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO.

>> BLACK HISTORY IS AMERICAN HISTORY.