>>> NEW JERSEY REALTORS, THE BOYS FOR REAL ESTATE IN NEW JERSEY.

MORE INFORMATION IS ONLINE.

>>> FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS TUESDAY NIGHT.

STATE LEADERS ARE DOUBLING DOWN ON THEIR TOUGH ON CRIME STANCE.

THIS WEEK, ATTORNEY GENERAL TOUTED DOUBLE-DIGIT DROPS IN GUN VIOLENCE AND CAR THEFTS.

ISSUES THAT GOVERNOR MURPHY RECENTLY CLAIMED WERE AN EPIDEMIC IN NEW JERSEY, VOWING TO FIGHT THEM.

STATEWIDE INTELLIGENCE SHARING, NEW TASKFORCES, AND EXPANDED LAWS.

BUT CRITICS ARGUE THE EFFORTS WEREN'T INVESTING IN THE ROOT CAUSE OF PUBLIC SAFETY PROBLEMS.

THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION IS SHARING NEW NUMBERS ON CRIME REDUCTION, CALLING THE POLICIES A SUCCESS, AMID POLICE INVOLVED SHOOTINGS THAT ARE ROILING THE STATE.

FOR MORE, I'M JOINED BY NEW JERSEY'S TOP LINE PLACEMENT OFFICER, ATTORNEY GENERAL MATT PLOTKIN.

ATTORNEY GENERAL, IT IS GREAT TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

I WANT ASK ABOUT THE OP-ED YOU WROTE, LOOKING AT CRIME STATISTICS, THE FACT THEY ARE DOWN STATEWIDE.

YOU SPECIFICALLY CITED THAT SHOOTINGS ARE DOWN ABOUT 25%, A DROP IN GUN VICTIMS.

HOW YOU TIE THOSE STATISTICS TO THE STATES CURRENT GUN LAWS?

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, AND THIS IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT TOPIC BECAUSE I THINK IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT LAW ENFORCEMENT'S WORK OR CRIMINAL JUSTICE POLICY, THAT WE ARE DOING IT BASED ON FACTS.

LOOK, ANY SHOOTING, ANY INCIDENT OF CRIME, ANYONE AFRAID IN THEIR HOUSE IS A TRAGEDY AND AS SHE LINE PLACEMENT OFFICER GIVES ME CONCERN.

BUT WE HAVE SEEN GREAT PROGRESS IN THE STATE OVER THE PAST YEAR.

AS HE SAID LAST YEAR, SHOOTINGS WENT DOWN 25% IN THE STATE AND IT HAPPENED EVERYWHERE FROM JERSEY CITY TO CAMDEN.

CRIME DROPPED, SHOOTINGS DROPPED BY DOUBLE DIGITS IN EACH OF THOSE COMMUNITIES.

THAT IS HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE, LITERALLY, THAT WE -- WERE NOT SHOT LAST YEAR.

AND THAT IS PEOPLE AT DINNER TABLES EVERY NIGHT, SPENDING HOLIDAYS AND BIRTHDAYS, AND WE SHOULD CELEBRATE THAT WORK AND WE SHOULD ALSO, AS WE ARE THINKING ABOUT HOW WE RESPOND TO ANY ALLEGATIONS THAT ARISE, WE SHOULD BE BASING IT ON DATA AND NOT ON THE MOTION.

>> YOU HAVE WRITTEN IT IS A DIRECT RESULT OF --AM QUOTING YOU, STRONG COMMON SENSE GUN LAWS.

BUT I'M CURIOUS HOW YOU CAN PINPOINT IT TO THE POLICIES, WE SAW A SPIKE NATIONWIDE AND WE HAVE SEEN THAT TREND DROP.

HOW DO WE PINPOINT SPECIFIC POLICIES AS OPPOSED TO TRANSIT ARE PLAYING OUT EVERYWHERE ASK >> WE KNOW ARE STRONG GUN LAWS WORK.

WE KNOW IN NEW JERSEY, YOU ARE MUCH SAFER THAN YOU ARE IN VIRTUALLY ANY OTHER STATE.

YOU WERE SIX TIMES MORE LIKELY TO BE SHOT IN MISSISSIPPI THAN IN NEW JERSEY BECAUSE OF, NOT IN SPITE OF ARE STRONG GUN LAWS.

IT IS ALSO BECAUSE OF HOW WE APPROACH OUR ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS IN THE STATE.

WE HAVE TAKEN INTELLIGENCE-BASED APPROACH TO AND CRIMES AND WE ALSO TAKE IT TO AUTO THEFT MEANING THAT WE TRACK VIOLENT INDIVIDUALS.

WE KNOW WHO THEY ARE, WE FOLLOW THE GUN AND WE GO AFTER THOSE WHO ARE TRULY INVOLVED IN VIOLENT.

AND NOT THE BROADER COMMUNITY, WHICH WE SEEN IN THE PAST WHICH RESULT IN A DISPARATE IMPACT ON COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

>> HOW DOES THE CONCEALED CARRY LAW PLAY INTO THIS?

I BELIEVE THAT YOU WROTE THAT THEY ARE ALSO CONTRIBUTING TO THIS DECLINE, BUT AS WE BOTH KNOW, THEY ARE ALSO TIED UP IN COURT.

SO HOW ARE THOSE LAWS, WITH REGARD TO CONCEALED CARRY, HELPING, WHEN IN FACT, THE BAND THAT YOU PUT IN PLACE IN THOSE SPECIFIC PLACES CAN'T BE CARRIED OUT RIGHT NOW?

>> I WAS SPEAKING HISTORICALLY.

HISTORICALLY, NEW JERSEY'S STRONG CONCEALED CARRY LAWS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE RATES OF GUN CRIME.

>> LET ME SHIP TO THIS NEW DIRECTIVE YOUR OFFICE PUT OUT, WHICH IS REGARDING SEXUAL ASSAULT MEDICAL EXAMS.

COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS RAPE KITS.

THE DIRECTIVE REQUIRES THOSE KIDS TO BE RETAINED FOR 20 YEARS AS OPPOSED TO THE FIVE YEARS THAT WAS DEVIOUSLY REQUIRED.

WHY ARE YOU SHIFTING THAT INCREASING THE NUMBER OF YEARS, AND WE HAVE HEARD CRITICISM OVER TIME FROM FOLKS WHO SAY THEIR EXAMS HAVE NOT BEEN TESTED BECAUSE IT IS UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF A LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT, TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT IT SHOULD BE.

WITH THAT PRACTICE END?

>> WE TOOK A NUMBER OF IMPORTANT STEPS YESTERDAY WITH THAT DIRECTIVE.

FIRST, AS YOU MENTIONED, WE EXTENDED THE TIME THAT SO-CALLED HOLD CATS -- THESE ARE KITS, TO BE CLEAR, THESE ARE KIDS SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE HAVE SAID THEY ARE NOT READY FOR THEM TO BE TESTED.

THAT SHOULD BE THEIR DECISION.

WE TRY TO TAKE THE SURVIVOR CENTRIC AND TRAUMA INFORMED APPROACH IN NEW JERSEY AND THAT IS THEIR DECISION.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE THE FULLEST AMOUNT OF TIME POSSIBLE, TO MAKE THAT DECISION.

WHICH IS OFTEN A TRAUMATIC ONE.

>> VERY QUICKLY BEFORE I LET YOU GO, OUR TEAM, LED BY COLLEEN O'DAY, DID AN ANALYSIS GIVEN THE NUMBER OF POLICE INVOLVED SHOOTINGS LATELY.

WE WANT ASK ABOUT THE MOST RECENT, IN WHICH HER OFFICE IS INVESTIGATING IN PATTERSON AND SEPARATE TOWNSHIPS.

BUT SPECIFICALLY OUR TEAM FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO NAVIGATE THE USE OF FORCE DATABASE, WHICH WAS PUT FORWARD, TO MAKE THE INFORMATION ACCESSIBLE AND TRANSPARENT FOR THE PUBLIC.

SPECIFICALLY, FINDING DEATHS WERE NOT LISTED.

AS PART OF THE USE OF FORCE DATABASE.

IS THAT SOMETHING YOUR OFFICE SEES IS TIME TO REVAMP AGAIN?

THIS WAS PUT IN PLACE IN 2019.

IT IS BEEN A HANDFUL OF YEARS.

ARE YOU CONSIDERING THAT?

>> I THINK OUR USE OF FORCE DATABASE, WAS, AS HE SUGGESTED, FRANKLY A NATIONAL PIONEER.

WHEN PRESIDENT BIDEN SENT HIS EXECUTIVE ORDER LAST JUNE ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF GEORGE FLOYD'S MURDER, IMPOSING A SIMILAR USE OF FORCE DATABASE ON FEDERAL OFFICES, HE MODELED IT IN MANY WAYS ON WHAT WE HAVE HERE.

WE STRIVE TO BE AS TRANSPARENT AS WE CAN WITH RESPECT TO USE OF FORCE.

ARE THE WAYS WE CAN GET BETTER?

OF COURSE AND WE WILL WORK TO DO SO BUT I THINK THE GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE FOR INVESTIGATING OUR OFFICE OF JUSTICE DATA, WHICH IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND OFFICE DEDICATED TO DATA AND TRANSPARENCY FOR THE PUBLIC.

AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO ANALYZE USE OF FORCE REPORTS, SOMETIMES THE INFORMATION THAT WE HAVE SEEN, WHICH IS NOT WRITTEN BY US, IT COMES FROM LOCAL LINE PLACEMENT AND REPORTS AND SOMETIMES IT NEEDS TO BE REFINED.

THAT IS SOMETHING WE CHANGED THE DIRECTIVES AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO EVALUATE IF THERE ARE WAYS TO IMPROVE IT.

BY TRANSFERRING IS A CALL AND WE KNOW IT IS IMPORTANT FOR TRUST WITH PLACEMENT.

>> ATTORNEY GENERAL, THANKS FOR YOUR TIME, TONIGHT.

>> I APPRECIATE YOU HAVING ME.

>>> THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT IS INVESTIGATING THE COLLAPSE OF CALIFORNIA-BASED SILICON VALLEY BANK.

TAKEN OVER BY FEDERAL REGULATORS FRIDAY, AFTER DEPOSITORS MADE A RUN ON THE BANK.

RUSHING TO PULL THEIR MONEY OUT.

GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TRANSFERRED ALL OF THE DEPOSITS TO A NEWLY CREATED SILICON VALLEY BRIDGE BANK, MAKING CUSTOMERS PUFF MONEY AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY.

BUT THE IMPACT HAS SHAKEN UP THE TECH COMPANIES THAT WERE LARGELY USING THAT BANK.

FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE, INCLUDING MANY LOCATED RIGHT HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT JOHN AGAIN GETS REPORTS ON THE FILE OUT.

>> OVER THE WEEKEND, WE WERE NOT SURE WHAT ACCESS WE WOULD HAVE TO OUR CAPITAL, WE WEREN'T SURE HOW MUCH OF OUR CAPITAL WE WOULD EVENTUALLY GET BACK.

>> Reporter: STEPHEN STOCK LOVE COMPARED WATCHING THE BANK COLLAPSE THIS WEEKEND TO WEATHERING A STORM THAT HIT HARD AND FAST, THREATENING TO UPEND THE TECH SECTOR ENTIRELY THAT HAS RELIED ALMOST SOLELY ON THE BANK SERVICES.

>> SILICON VALLEY BANK HAS BEEN OUR BANKING PARTNER FOR MANY YEARS.

THEY HAVE BEEN A WELL DISTINGUISHED BANK, SERVING THE VENTURE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: LIKE SO MANY NEW JERSEY-BASED CAPITALIST, ALL FUNDS WERE IN SILICON VALLEY BANK AND WHEN RUMBLINGS BEGAN THAT THE DECADES-OLD BANK WAS IN FINANCIAL TROUBLE, MANY COMPANIES WITHDREW THEIR FUNDS, LEADING TO THE COLLAPSE.

SWIFT RESPONSE FROM THE FDIC THIS WEEKEND INSURED THAT FUNDS FOR DEPOSITORS, STEMMING THE SHOT WAVES, REVERBERATING FROM CALIFORNIA ALL THE WAY TO NEW JERSEY.

>> WE HAVE SEEN THE EFFECTS RIPPLE REALLY THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

STARTUPS, ESPECIALLY LAST WEEK, ON FRIDAY, WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE DEPOSITS AND CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR ABILITY TO MAKE PAYROLL, TO PAY THE RENT.

SO THOSE THAT HEARD THE FDIC WOULD MAKE GOOD ON THE INSURANCE AND PAY ON MONDAY WERE RELIEVED QUICKLY AND WITH THE FEDERAL ANNOUNCEMENT TO MAKE GOOD ON THE DEPOSITS OVERALL, PEOPLE ARE FEELING MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE NOW.

>> I THINK IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THE FDIC HAS COME IN TO REASSURE THE DEPOSITORS TO GUARANTEE THEIR ACCOUNTS BECAUSE OTHERWISE THERE REALLY IS KIND OF TELLING WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO THE WHOLE STARTUP ECOSYSTEM IN THE COUNTRY.

>> Reporter: GOVERNOR MURPHY AND NEW JERSEY'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ALSO STEPPED UP TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FOR NEW JERSEY COMPANIES, EXPERIENCING LIQUIDITY ISSUES, REOPENING THE ENTREPRENEURIAL SUPPORT PROGRAM AND LAUNCHING AN ANGEL MATCH PROGRAM EXPORT BY OFFERING THIS SUITE OF PROGRAMS, ENTREPRENEURS IMPACTED BY STP SIGNATURE, WE WILL KEEP PRESIDENTS EMPLOYED AND SUPPORT COMPANIES THAT ARE VITAL TO OUR INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM.

>> I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT AS WELL AT THE STATE LEVEL THAT THE NEW JERSEY STATE HAS SET UP THIS ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM AS WELL AS THE ANGEL PROGRAM, TO KIND OF HELP FACILITATE SOME OF THE HURDLES THAT WILL BE PRESENTED AND HAVE YET TO PLAY OUT IN TERMS OF WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING TO HAVE HICCUPS AND WHERE SOME OF THE COMPANIES WILL HAVE TO MAKE UP FOR THE COST OF BANKS THAT WILL LIKELY COME IN THE NEXT MONTH OR SO.

>> Reporter: ALL MIGHT NOT BE LOST FOR SILICON VALLEY BANK AS THE FDIC, THAT'S NOW AT THE HELM, SENT AN INDICATION TO CLIENTS TODAY, URGING THEM TO REINVEST IN THE BANK.

THE MONEY IS STILL THERE AND WHILE HE IS CONSIDERING LEAVING IT THERE, HE IS ALSO FOCUSED ON PREVENTING THIS TYPE OF RISK IN THE FUTURE.

>> Reporter: >> CERTAINLY, THERE'S A LOT OF MOVEMENT.

WE HAVE SET UP ACCOUNTS ELSEWHERE.

I'M NOT SURE ANYONE IS EVER GOING TO LEAVE ALL THEIR MONEY IN ONE PLACE IN THE FUTURE.

>> YOU WILL SEE A SHAKEUP IN THE INDUSTRY AND THEIR ABILITY TO FOCUS ON ONE SECTOR BECAUSE THERE WERE A FEW TOO MANY EGGS IN PERHAPS ONE BASKET.

YOU WILL SEE PEOPLE THINK ABOUT DIVERSIFYING THEIR CASH DEPOSITS ACROSS MANY BANKS.

THOSE THAT MAY NOT HAVE SUCH A DEEP SECTOR FOCUS.

>> Reporter: POLICY ANALYST MR. BROWN BELIEVES KEEPING SMALLER BANKS ALIVE IS CRITICAL TO REDUCING MONOPOLIZATION OF THE INDUSTRY.

>> AS LONG AS THE WAY SILICON VALLEY BANK IS RESTRUCTURED IS KIND OF MET WITH THE SAME REGULATIONS THAT WERE TAKEN AWAY IN 2018, WHICH UNDER THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, THERE'S A LOT OF DEREGULATION FROM WHAT HAPPENED WITH DON FRANK, WHERE BANKS UNDER $250 BILLION WERE NO LONGER REQUIRED FOR CERTAIN STRESS TESTING AND THAT HAS LIKELY LED TO A LOT OF WHAT WE ARE SEEING TODAY WITH THESE BANK VALUES.

>> Reporter: THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE LAUNCH AN INVESTIGATION TO UNCOVER ALL THE FACTORS THAT LED TO THE COLLAPSE.

I'M JOANNA GAGIS, AND A SPOTLIGHT NEEDS.

>>> A FEDERAL JURY DECIDED THE FATE OF 35-YEAR-OLD NEW JERSEY RESIDENT --.

THE NATIVE OF YOU PAKISTAN WILL BE SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR A 2017 TERRORIST ATTACK THAT KILLED EIGHT PEOPLE ON A NEW YORK CITY BIKE PATHS.

PROSECUTORS WERE SEEKING THE DEATH PENALTY BUT JURORS DEADLOCKED.

THE LAW REQUIRES A UNANIMOUS VERDICT FOR CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.

PROSECUTORS SAY HE DROVE A RENTAL TRUCK DOWN A BIKE PATH ON THE WEST SIDE HIGHWAY, ON HALLOWEEN, 2017.

MOTIVATED BY ISLAMIC EXTREMISM.

COMMITTING THE CITY PASSES DEADLIEST ATTACK SINCE 9/11 AND ALSO INJURED A DOZEN OTHERS.

LAWYERS ARGUED HE PLANNED TO CONTINUE HIS RAMPAGE BUT WAS SHOT BY AN NYPD OFFICER BEFORE REACHING THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE.

THE CASE WAS THE FIRST FEDERAL DEATH PENALTY TRIAL UNDER THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.

AND A RARE CASE FOR NEW YORK WHERE EXECUTIONS ALMOST NEVER HAPPEN.

A JUDGE WILL SET A DATE FOR THE OFFICIAL SENTENCING.

>>> NEW JERSEY TRANSIT'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS, MONDAY NIGHT, SIGNED OFF ON CRITICAL FUNDING FOR THE GATEWAY PROJECT.

APPROVING A $19 MILLION ANNUAL PAYMENT TO THE AGENCY IN CHARGE OF BUILDING TWO NEW HUDSON RIVER TUNNELS BETWEEN NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY.

THE MONEY IS TECHNICALLY COMING FROM THE STATE TURNPIKE AUTHORITY, WHICH WAS PART OF THE AGREEMENT IN REHABBING THE CENTURY-OLD TUNNELS AND IT'S JUST A FRACTION OF THE $60 BILLION TOTAL PRICE TAG FOR THE PROJECT.

MEANWHILE, OUTSIDE THE MEETING LAST NIGHT, A NUMBER OF ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS RALLIED, PUSHING BACK AGAINST A PROPOSED TRANSIT GRID PROJECT THAT WILL USE A GAS BURNING POWERPLANT.

THIS TIME, BACKING THEIR ARGUMENT WITH NEW DATA FROM ANY RENEWABLE ENERGY COMPANY THEY SAY SHOWS THE STATE HAS CLEANER OPTIONS.

ALYSSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS.

>> RENEWABLE IS DOABLE.

>> Reporter: JOINING OTHER ACTIVISTS OUTSIDE NJ TRANSIT HEADQUARTERS AT NEWARK YESTERDAY, CALLING ON THE AGENCY TO SCRAP PLANS FOR A PROPOSED NATURAL GAS PLANT IN THE MEADOWLANDS.

THEY WARNED IT WOULD BE ANOTHER POLLUTER, WORSENING CLIMATE CHANGE AND HAVING PUBLIC HEALTH.

>> WE KNOW FROM THE DOCUMENTATION BY HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS THAT FOR WOMEN, THERE ARE STILL BIRTHS, MISCARRIAGES, AND FOR CHILDREN, LEARNING DISABILITIES FOR THE GENERAL COMMUNITY, THERE'S LUNG AND HEART CONDITIONS.

THIS CANCERS, AND SO WE HAVE TO STOP IT.

>> Reporter: IS PART OF THE AGENCY TRANSIT GRID PROJECT TO PROVIDE A RELIABLE ENERGY SUPPLY FOR RAIL AND THE STRUCTURE.

THE PLAN WAS PROPOSED AFTER SUPERSTORM SANDY KNOCKED OUT POWER TO PARTS OF NJ TRANSIT SYSTEMS.

BUT AFTER HEAVY PRESSURE FROM ENVIRONMENTALISTS, GOVERNOR IT MURPHY ISSUED A DIRECTIVE TO REDEVELOP THE PROJECT WITH RENEWABLE ENERGY.

>> YOU KNOW, THE OPTIMISM WAS SHORT LIVED BECAUSE TRANSIT SPENT A WHOLE YEAR TRYING TO REDESIGN THE PROJECT, BASED ON THE GOVERNOR'S DIRECTIVES.

AND IT IS CLEAR THAT THE REDESIGN STILL LEAVES THE DOOR WIDE OPEN FOR A MASSIVE FOSSIL FUEL BURNING POWERPLANT.

>> Reporter: ACTIVE ESSAY A NEW STUDY IS SHOWING HOW BENEFICIAL USING RENEWABLE SOURCES WOULD BE.

THE REPORT, COMMISSIONED BY THE MPOWER AND JAKE COALITION AND CONDUCTED BY A STRATEGY CONSULTANT BINDS THE PROJECT CAN READ -- ACHIEVE ITS GOAL WITH A HYBRID MICROCREDIT INSTEAD OF USING A GAS PLANT.

THE STUDY ESTIMATES THE SWITCH COULD GENERATE MORE THAN $16 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL REVENUE FOR TRANSIT WHICH MATT SMITH, NEW JERSEY DIRECTOR OF FOOD AND WATER SAID THE AGENCY COULD USE.

>> THAT $16 MILLION DOESN'T EVEN REPRESENT THE AVOIDED PUBLIC HEALTH AND DEPARTMENTAL CLASS THAT WOULD BE ASSOCIATED WITH OPERATING FULL TIME GAS-FIRED POWER PLANT IN ONE OF THE WORST POLLUTED AREAS IN THE COUNTRY.

AND WHEN YOU FACTOR IN THIS PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS, IT IS A TOTAL OF $350 MILLION.

>> Reporter: THE PROPOSED PLANT ALSO CAUSING CONCERNS FOR THIS JERSEY AND, WHO SAYS HER FAMILY HAS AUTHORITY BEEN SUFFERING WITH HEALTH ISSUES INCLUDING CANCER.

THAT ARE TIED TO POOR AIR QUALITY.

>> MY BABIES WERE BORN WITH ASTHMA, I WAS BORN DOWN THE STREET AT ST. JAMES HOSPITAL AND MY KIDS WERE BORN DOWN THE STREET.

AND THEY SUFFER FROM ASTHMA, DEBILITATING ASTHMA, DEBILITATING ALLERGIES.

ALL OF THEIR LIVES.

>> TO HEAR THE GOVERNOR TALK ABOUT HIM BEING THE GREENEST GOVERNOR AND, YOU KNOW, HIS COMMITMENTS TO PROTECT CLEAN AIR AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL RESIDENT S REGARDLESS OF THEIR RACE, OR SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS, REALLY RINGS HOLLOW FOR SO MANY OF US, WHO ARE ORGANIZING AND SUPPORTING THESE COMMUNITIES, WHO REALLY JUST CANNOT LIVE WITH ANYMORE MAJOR SOURCES OF POLLUTION.

>> Reporter: THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE DECLINED TO COMMENT AND NJ TRANSIT DID NOT IMMEDIATELY RESPOND TO YOUR QUESTIONS.

ACTIVISTS SAY THAT THEY HOPE THE FINDINGS WILL GIVE THE AGENCY THE PUSH IT NEEDS TO NO LONGER PURSUE THAT GAS PLANT.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> IT'S BECOME ONE OF THE MOST INTENSE ISSUES AT THE JERSEY SHORE.

RESIDENCE IN FLAMES OVER THE STATES PROPOSED SETTLEMENT FOR THE --IN TOMS RIVER.

SUPERFUND SITES, NOTORIOUS FOR POSSIBLE CONNECTION TO CHILDHOOD CANCER CLUSTERS IN THE AREA.

LOCALS AND ACTIVISTS WORRY THE DEAL IS LETTING LOOTERS OFF THE HOOK AND ELECTED OFFICIALS KNOW DURING A MONDAY NIGHT PUBLIC HEARING.

TED GOLDBERG WAS THERE.

>> Reporter: THE LAST TIME THE DEP CAME TO TOMS RIVER, THEY HEARD A SIMPLE MESSAGE FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE ANGRY ABOUT A PROPOSED NATURAL RESOURCE DAMAGE SETTLEMENT TO REMEDY THE SUPERFUND SITE.

>> ARE THEY TREATING THE COMPLAINTS WITH TRANSPARENCY AND ARE YOU TREATING THEM WITH EMPATHY?

>> A MONTH AND A HALF LATER, THE DEP WAS BACK IN TOMS RIVER.

OFFICIALS EXPLAINED HOW THE SETTLEMENT WOULD CREATE OPEN AREAS THAT HAVE BEEN CLEANED UP AND HOW BASF, THE SUCCESSOR COMPANY WOULD MONITOR AND REMEDIATE ANY POLLUTED GROUNDWATER.

>> WE ARE HERE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH TRANSPARENCY AND EMPATHY.

THE INFORMATION AND -- >> HOPEFULLY YOU WILL SEE THAT WITH THIS ACTION, WITH THIS PROPOSED SETTLEMENT FITS IN, IS AN APPROPRIATE, FAIR, PROPOSAL MADE BY BASF.

>> Reporter: A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T TRUST THE PROPOSAL BECAUSE THEY DON'T TRUST BASF.

THEY ARE SKEPTICAL THAT THE CHEMICAL COMPANY ISN'T TELLING THE TRUTH WHEN IT SAID SOME AREAS ARE CLEAN ENOUGH TO BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

>> WE ARE RELYING ON BASF TO DO THE SAMPLING, REPORT THE TEST RESULTS, AND BASED UPON THAT ANALYSIS, DETERMINE THAT AREA AROUND THE EPA SITE IS CLEAN ENOUGH.

HOW DO WE KNOW THAT LAND IS NOT INJURED?

>> THERE ARE PLUS OR - --UNDERGOING REMEDIATION RIGHT NOW.

THE DEPARTMENT DOES NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES OR THE FUNDING TO GO OUT AND INDEPENDENTLY SAMPLE OR USE A THIRD-PARTY TO DO THAT SAMPLING.

WE RELY ON THESE REMEDIATION PROFESSIONALS.

>> Reporter: OTHERS AT THE HEARING HAD ISSUES WITH THE DEP.

THEY ARGUE THIS PROPOSAL WAS HAMMERED OUT IN SECRET WHILE THE DEP ARGUES IT HAD TO BE DONE.

>> YOU'RE GOING DOWN TWO FEET WITH YOUR DRILLING, TO FIND OUT THAT IS WHAT IS CONTAMINATED.

ARE YOU PUTTING IN ANY FOUNDATIONS IN SOME OF THESE BUILDINGS?

ARE YOU GOING TO --WHEN YOU DO THE WATER RESTORATION FOR THE THING, ARE YOU DIGGING UP THE PROPERTY?

WHAT YOU DOING?

YOU ARE NOT INFORMING ANYBODY OF ANYTHING THAT IS GOING ON.

>> THIS IS A BAD DEAL.

WE WERE NEVER INVOLVED IN THE NEGOTIATIONS ON THIS NATURAL RESOURCE DAMAGE SETTLEMENT.

WE WERE LECTURED TO.

WE NEVER SAW THE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT IN DOLLARS AND CENTS.

>> Reporter: THE CONVERSATIONS WE HAVE AND INFORMATION WE EXCHANGED COULD BE POTENTIALLY DETRIMENTAL TO OUR ULTIMATE POSITION IF WE ARE UNABLE TO REACH A SETTLEMENT.

THOSE CONVERSATIONS ARE GENERALLY CONSIDERED TO BE CONFIDENTIAL AND DELIBERATIVE.

>> Reporter: DEP OFFICIALS ALSO EXPLAINED IF THE PROPOSAL FALLS APART AND THEY GO TO COURT, THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE THAT TOMS RIVER HAS TO WAIT ANY BENEFITS.

AND THEY COULD GET LESS THAN WHAT IS IN THE CURRENT PROPOSAL.

>> OUR EXPERIENCE OVER THE LAST 25 YEARS, HAS SHOWN IF YOU GO TO THE LITIGATION ROUTE, IT IS 10 COMPLEX YEARS IN COMPLEX CASES.

WE HAVE SOME CASES FILED IN 2007 THAT IS NOT FULLY RESOLVED TO THIS DAY.

>> Reporter: THE DEP IS TAKING PUBLIC COMMENTS UNTIL APRIL 5th, WITH RESIDENTS HOPING THEIR VOICES WILL BE HEARD.

IN TOMS RIVER, I'M TED GOLDBERG, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> WE WAITED ALL WINTER PORT, A LATE-SEASON NOR'EASTER IS LEAVING ITS MARK ACROSS THE STATE.

IF YOU ARE UP IN THE NORTHERN COUNTIES, ESPECIALLY SUSSEX AND WESTERN PASSAIC, YOU ARE GETTING THE BRUNT OF IT, UP TO EIGHT INCHES OF HEAVY, WET SNOW IS POSSIBLE.

ONCE ALL IS SAID AND DONE, THAT IS COUPLED WITH WIND GUSTS UP TO 85 MILES PER HOUR.

CENTRAL AND NORTHEASTERN AREAS WILL MOST CONTENT WITH STRONG WINDS AND POTENTIAL POWER OUTAGES ALONG WITH A COUPLE INCHES OF SNOW.

WHILE THE SOUTHERN HALF OF THE STATE WILL MOSTLY SEE RAIN, NO MORE THAN HALF AN INCH AS EXPECTED.

IN ANTICIPATION OF THE STORM, GOVERNOR MURPHY LAST NIGHT DECLARED A STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR WARREN, SUSSEX BERG, MORRIS AND PASSAIC COUNTY, INEFFECTIVE THIS MORNING.

STATE OFFICES ALSO OPENED ON A TWO HOUR DELAY AND TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS WERE PLACED ON COMMERCIAL VEHICLES.

WEATHER EXPERTS SAY IT WILL NOT BE ONE FOR THE BOOKS, JUST ENOUGH TO FRUSTRATE YOU IF YOU HAVE WINTER GEAR PUT AWAY.

>>> IN BUSINESS REPORT TONIGHT, INFLATION IS BECOMING A LOT TRICKIER FOR THE FEDS TO DEAL WITH THAN THEY INITIALLY EXPECTED.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE LATEST CONSUMER PRICE INDEX PLUS OUR OTHER TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

SO WHAT CAN YOU TELL US TONIGHT?

>> RISING COSTS FOR HOUSING, FOOD, AND CLOTHING, ALL CONTRIBUTED TO ANOTHER INCREASE IN INFLATION.

THE GOVERNMENT'S FEBRUARY INFLATION REPORT, RELEASED EARLIER TODAY SHOWED CONSUMER PRICES ARE UP 6% IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS.

THAT MEANS INFLATION IS ELEVATED BUT IT IS COMING DOWN FROM THE HIGHER LEVELS WE SAW LAST YEAR.

ONE REASON FOR THAT IS A BIG DROP IN ENERGY PRICES.

>>> META, THE PARENT COMPANY OF FACEBOOK ANNOUNCED PLANS TO LAY OFF ANOTHER 10,000 WORKERS, ON TOP OF THE 11,000 WORKERS IT CUT A FEW MONTHS AGO.

THIS IS JUST THE LATEST HIGH-PROFILE CORPORATE LAYOFFS ANNOUNCEMENT IN NEW JERSEY, AT LEAST, THE JOB MARKET CONTINUES TO HOLD UP.

IN FACT, THE GARDEN STATE EXPERIENCED HIGHER JOB GROWTH IN THE PAST TWO YEARS AND FIRST REPORTED, UPDATED DATA FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOWS 395,000 NEW JOBS WERE CREATED IN NEW JERSEY IN THE PAST TWO YEARS, THAT'S 34,000 MORE THAN FIRST ESTIMATED.

>>> THE STATE WILL SOON BEGIN ACCEPTING GRANT APPLICATIONS FROM COMPANIES AND OTHER GROUPS, SEEKING TO PROVIDE APPRENTICESHIPS FOR NEW JERSEY WORKERS.

A MILLION DOLLARS IS AVAILABLE TO THE GAINS GRANT PROGRAM WHICH FUNDS APPRENTICESHIPS IN NONTRADITIONAL FIELDS.

LABOR COMMISSIONER ROBERT SARRO ANGELO SAID THAT THE PROGRAM PROVIDED OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINORITIES.

>> TWO THIRDS OF OUR PREMISES AND GAMES PROGRAMS ARE WOMEN AND PEOPLE OF COLOR, WHICH IS DOUBLE THE REGULAR AVERAGE FOR APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS.

WE HAVE BEEN VERY FOCUSED ON THAT IN THE WAY THAT WE WRITE THESE GRANTS AND OPPORTUNITIES OF FUNDING.

>> Reporter: FINALLY, A WHO'S WHO OF BUSINESS NONPROFIT AND GOVERNMENT LEADERS ARE GATHERING IN ATLANTIC CITY FOR THE RENEWED NEW JERSEY BUSINESS SUMMIT.

HOSTED BY THE STATE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, THE EVENT DRAWS SEVERAL HUNDRED ATTENDEES TO DISCUSS THE OUTLOOK FOR NEW JERSEY BUSINESSES AND THE ECONOMY.

>>> HERE'S A LOOK AT TODAY'S TRADING ON WALL STREET.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER AND THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY NEW JERSEY AMERICAN WATER, WE KEEP LIFE FLOWING.

ONLINE AT NEWJERSEYAM.COM.

>>> AND THAT'S GOING TO DO IT FOR US BUT YOU CAN NOW LISTEN TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS ANY TIME BE A PODCAST, WHEREVER YOU STRAIN.

MAKE SURE TO DOWNLOAD IT AND CHECK US OUT.

YOU CAN ALSO FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL PLATFORMS ALONG WITH NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TO KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

FOR NOW, FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>>> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ PANAMA'S HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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

>>> WE WANT TO REMEMBER WOMEN THAT TOOK THE FIRST STEP.

>> THE GIRLS LIKE TO HEAR THE STORY ABOUT ROSA PARKS AND THE FACT SHE WAS SITTING DOWN, SHE WASN'T MOVING OUT OF HER SEAT.

THE GIRLS LIKE TO HEAR IT BECAUSE THEY SAID SHE WAS A STRONG WOMAN.

>> --, A WOMAN EXILED FROM HER COUNTRY.

THEY CANNOT BELIEVE DESPITE ALL THE HARDSHIPS SHE DEVELOPED SKILLS AND BROKE BARRIERS.

THEY ARE JUST COMPLETELY BLOWN AWAY WITH WOMEN LIKE THAT.