>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY -- >> FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIAND AS THE NOSY.

>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

I'M BRIAND OF A NOSY.

THE RITUALS RETURNED THIS FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND, AND AFTER A PANDEMIC YEAR, IT WAS CERTAINLY WORTH CELEBRATING.

CROWDS AT FIREWORKS DISPLAYS, ALONG PARADE ROUTES, AND AT PARTIES, THE HOLIDAY ARRIVING JUST AS THE STATE FORMALLY ENDS THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY IN PLACE LAST MARCH.

COVID-19 INFECTIONS AT RECORD LOWS SINCE THE START OF THE OUT RATE.

137 NEW POSITIVE TESTS AND FOUR ADDITIONAL DEATHS REPORTED STATEWIDE.

THE WHITE HOUSE ENCOURAGED PEOPLE TO COME TOGETHER IN CELEBRATION, MARKING THE COUNTRY'S INDEPENDENCE FROM THE VIRUS, THAT WE ARE NOT QUITE THERE, AS HEALTH EXPERTS CLOSELY WATCH THE SPREAD OF THE HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS DELTA VARIANT, WITH MORE THAN 5 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE STATE NOW FULLY VACCINATED.

THAT ENABLE REOPENING'S AND FEWER RESTRICTIONS.

SURE BUSINESSES LOOKED TO CASH IN ON THE SEMBLANCE OF NORMALCY THIS HOLIDAY, BUT WAS IT ENOUGH TO SPUR A REBOUND?

JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS.

>> THIS WEEKEND WAS FANTASTIC.

THE WEATHER FORECAST WASN'T GREAT BUT IT TURNED OUT TO BE A BEAUTIFUL WEEKEND AND I THINK ONCE THE CLOUDS WENT AWAY AND THE RAIN WENT AWAY, THE PEOPLE WERE HERE.

>> YESTERDAY ON THE BEACH WE SOLD 7000 DAILY PASSES.

THAT A LOT OF PASSES.

>> Reporter: ALMOST PRE- PANDEMIC LEVELS, SAID SEASIDE HEIGHTS MAYOR TONY BOZ, AND HIS WEEKEND YOU MIGHT HAVE EVEN FORGOTTEN THERE WAS A PANDEMIC, WITH ALL THE ACTIVITY DOWN THE SHORE, AND HEALTH CONCERNS A SITE, THE RETURN IS GREAT FOR THE ECONOMY.

>> IT REALLY FUNCTIONS THAT KIND OF TWO LEVELS.

THE ONE IS WHAT'S HAPPENING THAT DAY, AND IT IS A TREMENDOUS MAKEUP FROM THE DEFICITS OF COOLER WEATHER EARLIER IN THE SEASON.

BUT IN BRINGING PEOPLE OUT, ONCE THEY COME TO TOWN, AND THEY TOUCH IT, AND THEY EXPERIENCE IT, THEY'RE REMINDED THAT THEY WANT TO RETURN MORE.

>> HE SAYS THIS BUSY HOLIDAY WEEKEND WILL LIKELY KICK OFF A BIG SUMMER.

THAT'S GOOD NEWS FOR BUSINESS OWNERS LIKE YASSER MS. R, WHO OWNS THE BOOTY 16 MOTEL AND ADJACENT ICE CREAM SHOP.

>> USUALLY BUSINESS OWNERS HERE, WE HAVE THE MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND IN THE FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND, THESE ARE THE TWO BIGGEST WEEKENDS OF HER BUT HE IS WAITING FOR.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS HE CAN MAKE UP TO TWICE THE PROPHETS ON A HOLIDAY WEEKEND AS A TYPICAL WEEKEND, AND THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED WITH THIS FOURTH OF JULY HOLIDAY.

>> WE DIDN'T FEEL A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEFORE THE COVID AND AFTER THE COVID.

>> WHY THIS WEEKEND'S TURNOUT -- AT CASINO PEER MANY RIDES HAVE TO STAY CLOSED DURING THE DAY BECAUSE THEY SIMPLY DON'T HAVE THE STAFF TO OPERATE THEM, AND THAT MAKES THE LINES AT OPEN RIDES EVEN LONGER.

>> WE ARE SHORT STILL 17 RIGHT OPERATORS THAT WE NEED, SO WE STILL GET A LOT OF THE 14, 15- YEAR-OLDS, BUT UNFORTUNATELY THEY'RE THE ONES THAT CAN'T WORK THE WHOLE 12 HOUR SHIFT, CAN'T WORK PAST 7:00 OR 9:00, SO WE NEED THOSE OLDER WORKERS, THE COLLEGE OR EVEN THE 30, 40- YEAR-OLDS.

THOSE ARE THE ONES THAT ARE PROBABLY COLLECTING UNEMPLOYMENT AND THAT'S WHAT'S HURTING US.

>> Reporter: SALZMAN ESTIMATES THEY COULD LOSE 25% OF THEIR PRODUCT THIS WEEKEND AND THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER IF THEY CAN'T FILL THOSE POSITIONS.

LESLIE, GOVERNOR MURPHY SIGNED A BILL THAT ALLOWS 16 TO 18- YEAR-OLDS TO WORK UP TO 50 HOURS A WEEK, INSTEAD OF 40, WITH A PARENT'S WRITTEN PERMISSION.

THE LAW EXPIRES SEPTEMBER 6th, THE SAME DAY THAT ENHANCED FEDERAL UNEMPLOYMENT AND IF IT'S AN.

>> THERE MORE THAN LIKELY WILL BE A CHALLENGE THROUGH THE SEASON.

WE STILL HAVE THE CHALLENGE OF THE J1 VISAS NOT BEING AVAILABLE.

>> Reporter: J1 VISAS ALLOW STUDENTS FROM OVERSEAS TO WORK IN THE U.S. DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS, BUT EVEN AS TRAVEL BANS LIFT, BACKLOGS THAT CONSULATES ARE STILL HOLDING UP BEZOS.

>> IF YOU THINK IN TERMS OF IN A NORMAL SEASON, THE J1S ARE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT, BECAUSE THERE'S JUST NOT ENOUGH HELP AVAILABLE DOMESTICALLY.

SO LOSING THE J1S, THERE IS NO POPULATION TO MAKE UP THAT DEFICIT.

BUT REGARDLESS, BUSINESSES ARE JUST FINDING WAYS TO MAKE IT WORK.

>> ONE THING THAT'S REALLY HELPING RESTAURANTS, OUTDOOR DINING ON THE BOARDWALK, SAYS BAZ.

>> IT'S VERY POPULAR, WITH OUR TOURISM AND OUR PUBLIC.

>> AND IT'S PAYING OFF?

>> AND IT'S PAYING OFF.

>> Reporter: AND THAT AND THE WEATHER, WHICH SMILED ON THE SHORE TOWNS.

IN SEASIDE HEIGHTS, -- >> INDUSTRY INSIDERS PREDICTED IT.

THEY WERE RIGHT.

TRAVEL RECORDS HIT NEW HEIGHTS THIS WEEKEND.

AIR TRAVEL EXCEEDED PRE- PANDEMIC LEVELS FOR THE FIRST TIME.

THE TSA SAYS CHECKPOINT VOLUMES SWORD PASSED THOSE FROM JULY 4th IN 2019.

ON THE ROADS, AAA MID-ATLANTIC EXPECT TO TALLY MORE THAN 1 MILLION JERSEY RESIDENTS WHO HIT THE ROAD FOR THE HOLIDAY, DESPITE GAS PRICES BEING AT A SEVEN YEAR HIGH, AND LIKELY TO CONTINUE CLIMBING THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER.

WHAT'S THE IMPACT?

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT LINDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> IT'S TOO EXPENSIVE NOW, RIGHT NOW I THINK IT'S TOO EXPENSIVE.

>> Reporter: DRIVERS WINCED AT PRICES, PULLING UP TWO PUMPS AT THE TURNPIKE'S VINCE LOMBARDI SERVICE AREA TODAY.

REGULAR IS $3.23 A GALLON, ACROSS NEW JERSEY IT AVERAGES $3.15 A GALLON.

THAT'S ABOUT MORE THAN LAST YEAR, THE HIGHEST PRICE IN SEVEN YEARS.

SHELDON DEMETRIUS SAYS HE'LL STAY CLOSER TO HOME.

>> IF THE ECONOMY ISN'T STABLE, AND THE GAS PRICES ARE STEADY GOING UP, HOW ARE PEOPLE GOING TO TRAVEL?

>> THEN I HAVE TO STOP DRIVING A LOT TO CONSERVE THE GAS.

>> I USED TO FILL UP MY TANK WITH AROUND $50 OR $60, NOW I'M SPENDING 70, 80 BUCKS JUST TO FILL IT UP.

>> WHAT DOES THAT DO TO YOUR BUDGET?

>> IT HURTS A LOT.

>> Reporter: A DROVE OF TRAVELERS HIT THE HIGHWAYS FOR THE HOLIDAY, PEOPLE REVELING IN THEIR FREEDOM, BUT FOR SOME, RISING GAS PRICES COULD PUT THE BRAKES ON DRIVING, BOTH FOR PLEASURE AND BUSINESS.

>> IT'S ALREADY IMPACTING MY TRIP.

>> ALSO, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

>> RIGHT NOW IT'S FOR BUSINESS, SO I'M GOING TO HAVE TO BE I GUESS MORE STRATEGIC ON WHERE I'M TRAVELING FROM NOW ON, BECAUSE IT'S GETTING DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN THE TRAVEL.

>> WITH LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY, GAS PRICES HAVE BEEN ON THE INCREASE.

THIS ISN'T SOMETHING NEW.

THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A FEW WEEKS NOW, AND THE CULPRIT FOR HIGHER GAS PRICES IS CRUDE OIL.

>> Reporter: AAA'S KATHRYN SYNDER SAYS CRUDE OIL PRICES CAN SET MORE THAN HALF OF WHAT YOU PAY AT THE PUMP, AND CRUDE HIT 75 BUCKS A BARREL LAST FRIDAY, THE HIGHEST IN TWO YEARS.

PRICES PROBABLY WON'T EASE UP THAT MUCH THIS SUMMER, WITH THE OIL CARTEL OPEC PLUS OTHER MAJOR PRODUCERS QUARRELING OVER PRODUCTION, ANALYSTS VERDICT.

>> THEY'RE DECIDING HOW MUCH TO PUT ON THE MARKET.

THEY'LL PROBABLY UNDERSHOOT, WHICH IS TO SAY WE ARE GOING TO HAVE VERY STRONG CRUDE OIL PRICES FOR THE REST OF 2021.

THAT'S REALLY WHERE THE PRICE OF GASOLINE IS COMING FROM THESE DAYS.

>> Reporter: ANALYSTS SAY GAS SUPPLIES SHOULD MEET DEMAND, SUPPLIES SHOULD MEET DEMAND,% BUT WITH A SHORTAGE OF TANKER TRUCK DRIVERS, HE PREDICTS SOME JERSEY LOCATIONS COULD SEE A PUMP OR TWO GO DRY.

>> SO IF YOU'RE PLACES DISTANCE, LET'S SAY CAPE MAY OR DOWN THE SHORE THAT WAY, YOU MIGHT HAVE AN OUTAGE THAT LASTED A FEW HOURS, AND SOMETIMES PEOPLE REACT TO THAT, AND THEY TURN A LITTLE BIT AT THE PLATE.

>> Reporter: BUT DEMAND THAT THE PUMP CAN ALSO DRIVE NEW JERSEY'S GAS TAX UP OR DOWN.

BY LAW, NEW JERSEY NEEDS TO COLLECT ENOUGH MONEY TO PAY INTO THE STATE'S TRANSPORTATION TRUST FUND.

>> USE KIND OF PLUMMETED IN THE END OF SPRING.

WE HAD LESS COME IN THEN HAD BEEN FORECAST, SO WE HAD TO MAKE AN ADJUSTMENT.

>> DURING BUDGET HEARINGS THIS SPRING THE STATE TREASURER TOLD LAWMAKERS SHE ADJUSTED NEW JERSEY'S GAS TAX UPWARDS BY 9.3 CENTS LAST OCTOBER, TO 50.7 CENTS A GALLON, FOURTH HIGHEST IN THE NATION, TO MAKE UP FOR REVENUE LOSSES DURING THE PANDEMIC.

BUT SHE SAYS FORECAST HAVE IMPROVED.

MORE PEOPLE ARE DRIVING.

SO WILL THE GAS TAX RISE AGAIN?

>> WE'LL DO THAT ANALYSIS IN AUGUST WHEN WE SEE THE NUMBERS THAT COME IN ON THE GAS REVENUE.

SO THE NUMBERS THAT WE PREDICTED WHEN WE SET THE LAST RATES BACK IN THE FALL HAVE BEEN HOLDING TRUE.

>> AND WITH THE GOVERNOR UP FOR REELECTION IN NOVEMBER, SOME POLITICAL OBSERVERS DOUBT WE'LL SEE A GAS TAX HIKE ONE MONTH BEFORE PEOPLE GO TO THE POLLS.

I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, "NJ SPORTLIGHT NEWS".

>> WITH MOST OF THEIR LEGISLATIVE WORK COMPLETES, GOVERNOR MURPHY AND LAWMAKERS ARE NOW TURNING THEIR ATTENTION TO THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL, HEATING UP WHAT'S TYPICALLY A SLOW SUMMER MARCH TO ELECTION SEASON.

THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND SAW BOTH GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES WORKING THE LOCAL PARADE CIRCUIT AND SEARCHING FOR VOTES IN PLACES WHERE THEY WILL NEED THEM MOST.

SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CREWS HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY WAS ON PARADE DUTY THIS MORNING, LOOKING EVERY BIT THE FRONT RUNNER IN THIS RACE.

BUT EVEN IN AN ELECTION SEASON THAT PROMISES TO STAY HOT, DURING THE USUALLY SLOW SUMMER CAMPAIGN PERIOD, HIS RIVAL, REPUBLICAN JACK GENERALI, IS POURING ON THE ATTACKS IN HOPES THAT SOMETHING STICKS.

HE'S ON TWITTER, SLAMMING MURPHY FOR PUTTING ASIDE $40 MILLION TO HELP UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS AFFECTED BY THE LOSS OF WORK DUE TO COVID, AND HIS STANCE ON I.C.E.

CONTRACTS WITH COUNTIES, OR WHAT SHOULD REALLY SET IS A GENERAL SENSE OF LAWN IS THIS THAT SHUT DOWN SOME JULY 4th CELEBRATIONS.

>> I THINK WHAT WE NEED TO DO, DAVID, IN THESE TIMES, PARTICULARLY AMONGST OUR LEADERS, IS EMPHASIZE THAT HERE IN NEW JERSEY WE'RE GOING TO OBSERVE THE RULE OF LAW AND WE'RE GOING TO SUPPORT OUR LOCAL POLICE.

ANY TALK OF DISBAND, DEFUND, REIMAGINE, ISN'T GOING TO WORK.

WE DON'T NEED TO GIVE ANYBODY ANY SENSE WHATSOEVER THAT LEADERSHIP DOESN'T HAVE THE BACK BONE, THAT WE SUPPORT THEM 100% AND THEY'RE GOING TO BE ALLOWED TO GO IN AND DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO OBSERVE THE RULE OF LAW.

>> Reporter: THE FORMER MODERATE REPUBLICAN TACT TO THE RIGHT DURING THE PRIMARY AND HAS NOT CHANGED LEANS YET.

THAT INCLUDES NO SUPPORT FOR THE END OF QUALIFIED IMMUNITY FOR COPS WHO BREAK THE LAW, AND NO CIVILIAN COMPLAINT REVIEW BOARDS, WITH OR WITHOUT SUBPOENA POWER.

>> WE HAVE CIVILIAN REVIEW BOARDS.

IT'S CALLED THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

THAT'S GOING TO PLAY BETTER IN THE SOUTH JERSEY COUNTIES, RIGHT?

HE'S GOT TO WIN IN SOUTH JERSEY.

>> Reporter: MICHAEL RASMUSSEN OF THE RABINOVICH INSTITUTE FOR NEW JERSEY POLITICS SAYS THE SOUTH MAY BE CRITICAL TO A REPUBLICAN, BUT IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO WIN THE GOVERNOR'S RACE.

>> YOU NEED TO COMPETE IN THAT CORRIDOR OF BLUE VOTES THAT WE HAVE THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF THE STATE ERGO IF MURPHY WINS THAT CORRIDOR, AS DEMOCRATS DO, IT'S OVER.

AND THOSE KINDS OF POSITIONS ARE NOT GOING TO PLAY WELL IN THAT QUARTER.

THEY HAVEN'T BEEN.

THEY'VE BEEN DEATH FOR DONALD TRUMP.

THEY'VE BEEN DEATH FOR REPUBLICANS IN THE LEGISLATURE.

SO IT'S REALLY TOUGH TO SEE WHERE YOU GET OVER THE HUMP.

>> Reporter: THAT IS THE CONVENTIONAL WISDOM, BUT HISTORY SAYS A DEMOCRAT HASN'T BEEN REELECTED GOVERNOR IN THIS STATE SINCE THE '70s, AND SOME SUPPORTERS SAY MURPHY SHOULDN'T EXPECT AN EASY TIME OF IT.

THEY SAY HIS CONSERVATIVE APPROACH, AWAY FROM SOME MORE CONTROVERSIAL INITIATIVES, COULD COST HIM IN ENTHUSIASM FROM THE BASE.

>> IT'S BASICALLY THAT HE DOES NOT WANT -- IF YOU DON'T ADDRESS THE CRISIS OF HEALTH AND THE CRISIS OF THE ECONOMIC CONDITIONS OF THE AND DOCUMENTED IN OUR CITIES, YOU ARE BASICALLY NOT ADDRESSING THE CORE PROBLEM OF THE URBAN COMMUNITIES, WHICH IS WE STILL HAVE A LOW VACCINATION RATE COMPARED TO EVERYBODY ELSE.

WE STILL HAVE A LOT OF ECONOMIC PROBLEMS IN THE URBAN CITIES.

IF YOU DON'T ADDRESS THE ISSUES, DEMOCRATIC VOTERS WILL JUST CHOOSE TO STAY HOME.

>> Reporter: WHICH IS PART OF THE REASON THE LAST DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR FROM GOLDMAN SACHS LOST HIS REELECTION BID IN 2009.

BUT THE WINNER IN THAT RACE APPEALED SUCCESSFULLY TO THE CENTER, SOMETHING THAT SHOULD REALLY SO FAR SHOWS NO SIGNS OF DOING.

I'M DAVID CREWS, "NJ SPORTLIGHT NEWS".

>> THE SPIKE IN VIOLENT CRIME THROUGHOUT THE STATE'S CITIES WILL LIKELY BE A REOCCURRING FLASHPOINT DURING THE GUBERNATORIAL RACE.

IN PATERSON, SIX PEOPLE WERE SHOT AND INJURED IN THREE SEPARATE SHOOTINGS OVER THE WEEKEND, ALL WITHIN A 14 HOUR SPAN, STARTING SUNDAY AFTERNOON, WITH THE LAST BURST OF GUNFIRE REPORTED AT AROUND 5:45 A.M.

THIS MORNING.

THE INCIDENTS ARE PART OF AN OUTBREAK OF GUN VIOLENCE WITHIN THE FIRST FEW DAYS THIS MONTH, BRINGING THE CITY'S TOTAL TO 108 SHOOTING THE DEMS THIS YEAR.

THE 100th VICK THEM WAS A 75- YEAR-OLD WOMAN HIT BY A STRAY BULLET IN BROAD DAYLIGHT LAST WEEK, WHILE RUNNING ERRANDS.

THE CITY IS ALREADY ON TRACK TO HAVE MORE SHOOTING VICK COMES THEN IN 2020, ONE OF THE MOST VIOLENT IN THE YEARS, WHEN 163 SHOOTING VICTIMS WERE RECORDED, ACCORDING TO REPORTS CITING STATE POLICE DATA.

IN A STATEMENT LAST WEEK, MAYOR ANDRE SEO SAID THE RISE IN PATERSON SHOOTINGS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED WITHIN THE TREND OF A NATIONWIDE UP TICK IN GUN VIOLENCE.

>>> IN EAST ORANGE THE TOWN IS LOOKING TO GET OUT AHEAD OF ANY ANTICIPATED UP TICK IN VIOLENT CRIME THIS SUMMER, BEEFING UP FOOT PATROLS AND DEPLOYING NEW TACTICS, EMBRACING THE COMMUNITY POLICING MODEL THAT'S BEEN SHOWN TO IMPROVE PUBLIC RELATIONS WITHIN NEIGHBORHOODS AND SPARK MORE POSITIVE INTERACTIONS BETWEEN COPS AND RESIDENTS.

BUT DOES IT ALSO SUCCEED IN FIGHTING CRIME?

LARRY MICHIGAN HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: TENSIONS ON MANY CITY STREETS ARE HIGH.

HOMICIDES ARE UP SO FAR THIS YEAR IN THE THREE BIGGEST CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

THE POLICE TO FORM DEBATE RAGES ON.

SOME ARE CALLING TO DEFUND THE POLICE, OTHERS ARE PUSHING FOR MORE.

>> WE DIDN'T HAVE TO ANNOUNCE THAT WE ARE GOING TO DEFUND OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, I'M TRYING TO FIND WAYS TO INCREASE THE ACT OF IT IS AND ALSO KEEP OUR POLICE FORCE HERE, BECAUSE THEY ARE DOING SUCH A GREAT JOB.

>> Reporter: EAST ORANGE MAYOR TED GREEN ANNOUNCED A PLAN TO INCREASE COMMUNITY POLICING AS A WAY TO KEEP THE CITY SAFE THIS SUMMER.

THAT MEANS FOOT PATROLS AND PARK VISITS.

>> SOMETIMES YOUNG PEOPLE DON'T REALLY GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET A POLICE OFFICER.

THAT'S WHY WE ARE DOING DONUTS AT 7/11, DONUTS AT DUNKIN' DONUTS.

WE ARE BRINGING OUR CUPS IN THE PARK TO PLAY BASKETBALL WITH THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: EAST ORANGE'S POLICE CHIEF BELIEVES THEIR HOLISTIC APPROACH TO CRIME PREVENTION, WITH COMMUNITY POLICING AT THE CENTER, IS A MAJOR FACTOR IN WHY CRIME RATES HAVE DROPPED 85% OVER THE PAST 15 YEARS.

AND UNLIKE OTHER CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, HOMICIDE RATES SO FAR, SHE SAYS, FOR 2021, ARE NOT TRENDING UPWARDS.

>> YOU CAN ONLY BECOME ONE WITH THE COMMUNITY IF YOU KNOW WHAT THEIR CONCERNS ARE, AND YOU REACT TO IT.

>> THERE IS RESEARCH TO SHOW THAT PROGRAMS DO IMPROVE COMMUNITY PERCEPTIONS AND PUBLIC ATTITUDES OF THE POLICE.

THERE'S NO GOOD EVIDENCE TO SHOW THAT IT ACTUALLY AFFECTS CRIME.

>> Reporter: RUTGERS UNIVERSITY ASSISTANT PROFESSOR DALE SAMANTHA SAID THAT'S WHY HE ASKS THE QUESTION.

>> THERE IS A LOT MORE MONEY BEING PUT IN AND A NOT VERY GOOD AMOUNT OF RESEARCH TO SHOW THAT IS ACTUALLY WHAT YOU ARE SEEING, CRIME OR CRIME RATES THEMSELVES, COULD SOME OF THAT MONEY BE USED OTHER WAYS TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE ROOT CAUSES OF VIOLENT CRIME?

THAT'S WHAT WE ARE SPECIFICALLY TALKING ABOUT, LIKE DISADVANTAGE, POVERTY AND UNEMPLOYMENT, OR ALSO PUTTING IT TO OTHER TYPES OF INITIATIVES, STREET BASED INTERVENTIONS, KIND OF A PUBLIC HEALTH APPROACH TO VIOLENCE PREVENTION, RATHER THAN JUST RELYING ON -- >> Reporter: THERE IS RISK INVOLVED WHEN YOU ADD MORE OFFICERS TO THE STREETS IN TENSE TIMES.

>> IT COULD END UP HAVING GREATER EFFECTS ON SURVEILLANCE OF CITIZENS ON A DAY TO DAY BASIS, WHERE THERE IS A LOT MORE CONFLICT OVER MINOR CRIMES OR MINOR INCIDENTS, AND THAT IS GOING TO HAVE A BLOWBACK EFFECT WHERE IT'S GOING TO DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD, POTENTIALLY, WHERE THE CITIZENS ARE NOT TRUSTING OF THE POLICE, BECAUSE THEY FEEL WATCHED, THEY FEEL OVER POLICED, OVER MONITORED.

>> IF GIVEN THE RESOURCES, COMMUNITIES CAN STAND UP AGAINST SOME OF THE TENSIONS, RIGHTS, AND THE ILLS WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITIES?

>> THERE NEEDS TO BE INVOLVEMENT WITH ASKING COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHAT ARE THEY LOOKING FOR, WHAT ARE THEIR NEEDS, WHAT ISSUES DO THEY HAVE WITH THE POLICE?

>> Reporter: HE SAID A COMMUNITY WELLNESS SURVEY GAUGED HOW RESIDENTS FEEL THE DEPARTMENT IS DOING.

THEY HAVE POLICE AND CIVILIANS THAT CALL PEOPLE AFTER THEY'VE INTERACTED WITH POLICE TO SEE HOW IT WENT, EVEN A PROGRAM FOR KIDS TO LEARN HOW TO BECOME A COP.

FROM VEHICLE STOPS TO HANDCUFFS.

16-YEAR-OLD JAMEL HUMPHREYS SAYS AFTER SEEING WHAT HAPPENED TO GEORGE FLOYD, IT ENCOURAGED HIM TO CONTINUE TO PURSUE HIS GOAL OF BECOMING A POLICE OFFICER.

>> THEY MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN MY COMMUNITY AND MY CITY.

PEOPLE LOOK DOWN ON COPS NOWADAYS, BUT I'VE COME TO SEE THAT THEY'RE VERY AWESOME AND PHENOMENAL AT WHAT THEY DO.

>> WHEN I WAS YOUNG, ONE THING WE KNEW, WE KNEW THE OFFICER.

THEY KNEW MY MOTHER.

THEY KNEW MY FATHER, AND THEY KNEW MY GRANDFATHER, SO WHEN WE DID SEE CERTAIN OFFICERS, WE STRAIGHTENED UP, BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT THEM TO GO HOME TO TELL MY PARENTS.

SO THAT'S WHO WE'RE TRYING TO GET BACK INTO WHAT WE CALL COMMUNITY POLICING.

WITH ALL OF IT'S GOING ON, WE WAS ABLE TO COME TOGETHER AS ONE, OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT, OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE COMMUNITY.

WE HEAD NO DISRUPTION IN OUR CITY.

>> FOR "NJ SPORTLIGHT NEWS", I'M LEAH MISHKIN.

>>> THE STATE'S COURT SYSTEM IS ATTEMPTING TO RESOLVE LANDLORD/TENANT EVICTION CASES WITHOUT GOING TO TRIAL.

IN AN ANNOUNCEMENT MADE FRIDAY, NEW JERSEY COURTS WILL BEGIN SCHEDULING MANDATORY SETTLEMENT CONFERENCES, STARTING SOMETIME THIS MONTH.

THE MAJORITY WILL BE HELD VIRTUALLY, WITH PRIORITY GIVEN TO THE OLDEST PENDING OR NEWLY FILED CASES, WHERE TENANTS ALLEGEDLY OWE MORE THAN 12 MONTHS OF RENT.

THE CASE WILL BE DISMISSED IF THE LANDLORD FAILS TO SHOW.

IF A TENANT DOESN'T APPEAR IN THE COURT DETERMINES THE LANDLORD MADE THEIR CASE, IT WILL GO INTO DEFAULT JUDGMENTS, AND THE RENTER CAN BE EVICTED.

THE STATE SAYS ABOUT 14,000 LANDLORD/TENANT CASES ARE PENDING FOR MORE THAN A YEAR, AND RENTERS WILL STILL BE PROTECT IT FROM BEING KICKED OR LOCKED OUT OF THEIR HOMES THROUGH JANUARY 1st OF 2022, WHEN THE STATEWIDE MORATORIUM ENDS.

>>> AND IN TONIGHT'S SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS, WE LOOK AT HEALTH FOR OUTSTANDING STUDENT DEBT.

HUDSON COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE PLANS TO FORGIVE NEARLY $5 MILLION IN UNPAID TUITION FOR ROUGHLY 4800 STUDENTS.

THOSE WHO WERE ENROLLED WHILE THE PANDEMIC WREAKED ITS WORST HAVOC, THAT'S DURING THE SPRING, SUMMER, AND FALL SEMESTERS OF 2020, ALONG WITH THE SPRING SEMESTER OF 2021.

THE COLLEGE IS USING FEDERAL C.A.R.E.S ACT MONEY TO MAKE THE PAYMENTS ON BEHALF OF THOSE STUDENTS.

TO QUALIFY, THEY WILL NEED TO FILL OUT AN APPLICATION, WHICH TAKES INTO ACCOUNT FOOD, HOUSING, TECHNOLOGY, TRANSPORTATION, CHILDCARE, AND MEDICAL EXPENSES.

HUDSON COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE SAYS IT ALREADY USED ABOUT $8 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS TO SUPPORT STUDENTS FINANCIALLY SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN.

>>> THAT NEED FOR HELP IS NO SURPRISE, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE RECORD-BREAKING AMOUNT OF FOOD DISTRIBUTED LAST YEAR BY PANTRIES, SHELTERS, AND OTHER CENTERS.

IN SOUTH JERSEY, ONE ORGANIZATION GAVE OUT MORE THAN 4.6 MILLION POUNDS ALONE, AND SAYS THE NEED ISN'T GOING AWAY.

THE SOUTHERN REGIONAL FOOD DISTRIBUTION CENTER SAYS BETWEEN 2019 AND 2020, THE AMOUNT OF FOOD DELIVERED INCREASED BY MORE THAN 1,000,000 1/2 POUNDS.

THE CENTER OPERATES UNDER THE RURAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, AND SERVES UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES AS FAR SOUTH AS CAPE MAY, AND NORTH TO MERCER COUNTY.

SO FAR THIS YEAR, ORGANIZERS SAY NUMBERS HAVE NOT DECLINED TO PRE-COVID LEVELS.

IN MANY CASES, PANTRIES RECEIVING FOOD FROM THE CENTER WENT FROM SUPPORTING ABOUT 50 TO 60 FAMILIES A MONTH, TO HUNDREDS.

>>> AND FINALLY, AFTER A YEAR OF PANDEMIC CANCELLATIONS, SKIES LIT UP ACROSS THE STATE LAST NIGHT, FIREWORKS AND EVENTS IN CELEBRATION OF THIS NATION'S 245th BIRTHDAY, AND IN PARTS, A REMINDER OF ALL THE DARK AS WE'VE MANAGED TO GET THROUGH.

FROM ATLANTIC CITY TO ALLENDALE, MELISSA ROSE COOPER HAS A LOOK AT HOW THE STATE MARKED THIS FOURTH OF JULY HOLIDAY.

>> Reporter: CROWDS TAKING TO THE STREETS TODAY AS NEW JERSEYANS CELEBRATED THE NATION'S BIRTHDAY.

HERE IN RIDGEFIELD PARK, THE SOUND OF BAG PIPES FILLING THE AIR DURING ITS PARADE.

MANY DOING THE SAME OVER IN RIDGEWOOD, AS FAMILIES TO ART IN THAT TOWN'S FESTIVITIES AFTER LAST YEAR'S WAS CANCELED.

>> IT WAS GREAT.

MY SON IS IN HIGH SCHOOL AND HE'S IN THE BAND, THE RIDGEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL BAND.

>> Reporter: CROWDS GATHERING IN JERSEY CITY AS FIREWORKS LIT THE SKY LAST NIGHT.

OVER IN LA FOLLETTE, SPECTATORS GOT A PRETTY CLEAR VIEW OF THE COLORFUL SHOW FROM THE WATER.

THE EXCITEMENT WAS JUST AS RIGHT IN PLACES LIKE DOVER, CAMDEN, AND PARSIPPANY.

AND HERE IN RIDGEWOOD, NEIGHBORS WERE NOT LET DOWN.

>> DEFINITELY WANTED TO CELEBRATE FOURTH OF JULY.

THE KIDS ARE REALLY EXCITED TO SEE THE FIRE TRUCKS AND THE DANCE NIGHT BAND, AND ALSO THE DIFFERENT ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.

WE SAW THE SOMERVILLE FLOAT.

IS A LOT OF FUN.

>> Reporter: IT'S AN EXPERIENCE MICHAEL SERIO AND HIS FAMILY GOT TO HAVE TOGETHER FOR THE FIRST TIME.

>> IT'S AMAZING.

I LIKE THE DIFFERENT TRUCKS, RIGHTS, AND WHAT DO YOU CALL THEM, THE FLOATS?

THE FLOATS ARE VERY COLORFUL.

AND IT'S RED, WHITE AND BLUE.

I LOVE IT.

>> Reporter: BUT IT'S NOT THE FIRST TIME AROUND THE BLOCK FOR THIS HUSBAND AND WIFE DUO.

THEY'VE BEEN TAKING PART IN THE PARADE FOR MORE THAN A DECADE.

>> I'M SO PROUD TO BE ABLE TO BE PATRIOTIC FOR MY COUNTRY, AND FOR THE PEOPLE OF RIDGEWOOD AND SURROUNDING AREA.

THE CROWD LOVES US.

WE LOVE THE CROWD.

IT'S JUST A MAGICAL BLENDING OF TWO LOVES.

>> IT WAS BEYOND JOYOUS.

IT WAS OF COURSE, WE'RE BACK, THE BAND IS BACK TOGETHER.

THE PEOPLE WERE OUT.

EVERYONE IS ENJOYING THEMSELVES FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OVER A YEAR, AS A CROWD, TOGETHER, FOR ONE CELEBRATION.

IT WAS LITERALLY JOYOUS.

>> Reporter: AND A LOVE PEOPLE I SPOKE WITH SAID THAT AFTER BEING COOPED UP IN THE HOUSE FOR SO LONG, AND NOT BEING ABLE TO CELEBRATE LAST YEAR, THIS YEAR'S ELEVATION WAS SIMPLY AMAZING.

>> JUST COMING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC, WHAT A WAY TO DO IT.

IT WAS REALLY SPECIAL.

NICE TO BE BACK OUT AMONG PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: AND IT'S THAT STEP CLOSER TO NORMALCY NEIGHBORS SAY MAKES THEM LOOK FORWARD TO DOING IT ALL OVER AGAIN NEXT YEAR.

FOR "NJ SPORTLIGHT NEWS", I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT BUT HEAD OVER TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG OR ANY OF OUR SOCIAL CHANNELS TO CONTINUE FOLLOWING OUR REPORTING.

I'M BREANNA BEEN IS A.

FOR THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR WATCHING AND ENJOY THE REST OF YOUR EXTENDED WEEKEND IF YOU'RE ON ONE.

WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION -- MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOL GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S GET HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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

>> AND JM INSURANCE COMPANY HAS BEEN SERVING NEW JERSEY POLICYHOLDERS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

BUT JUST WHO ARE AND JM'S POLICYHOLDERS?

THEY'RE THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO KEEP THE GARDEN STATE GROWING.

BUSINESS LEADERS.

THE CARETAKERS OF OUR HISTORIC LANDMARKS, AND THE CUSTODIANS OF OUR PUBLIC SAFETY.

THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE OUR STATE A GREAT PLACE TO CALL HOME.

AND JM.

WE'VE GOT NEW JERSEY COVERED.

>> I'M VERY GRATEFUL THAT I'M STILL HERE.

>> THAT'S ME AND MY DAUGHTER WHEN WE WANT TO CELEBRATE OUR FIRST ANNIVERSARY.

>> WITH A NEW KIDNEY I HAVE STRENGTH.

>> IT GAVE ME A NEW LEASE ON LIFE.

>> I'M STILL GOING EVERYWHERE AND EXPLORING NEW PLACES.

>> NO HE TOLD ME I WAS GOING TO BE HERE, NOBODY.

I LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING OLDER WITH MY WIFE.

THAT'S POSSIBLE NOW.

>> WE ARE TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH INNOVATIVE KIDNEY TREATMENTS, LIVING DONOR PROGRAMS, AND WORLD-RENOWNED CARE AT TWO OF NEW JERSEY'S NEAR HOSPITALS.

>> THEY GAVE MY NORMAL LIFE BACK.

IT'S A BLESSING.

>> RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.