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

>> HELLO AND WELCOME TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

I'M JOANNA GAGIS IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

IT'S THE FINAL COUNTDOWN, JUST FIVE DAYS TO GO BEFORE NEW JERSEY DECIDES ITS NEXT GOVERNOR AND STOCKTON UNIVERSITY PUT OUT A NEW POLL SHOWING GOVERNOR MURPHY WITH A NINE POINT LEAD OVER HIS REPUBLICAN OPPONENT, JACK CIATTARELLI.

STOCKTON HAS MURPHY AT 50 PERCENTAGE POINTS TO CIATTARELLI'S 41.

THIS IS SLIGHTLY BETTER NEWS FOR THE CIATTARELLI CAMPAIGN AFTER YESTERDAY'S WITH MONMOUTH PULL SHOWING AN 11 POINT LEAD FOR MURPHY.

THERE ARE SOME OTHER RACES HAPPENING THIS ELECTION SEASON THAT COULD HAVE A HUGE IMPACT ON YOUR IMMUNITY.

THEY ARE THE PEOPLE RUNNING TO SERVE ON SCHOOL BOARDS OF EDUCATION.

IF YOU HAVE SAT IN ON A BOARD MEETING ANYWHERE IN THE STATE OVER THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF, YOU HAVE LIKELY HEARD SOME OF THE CONTENTIOUS DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN PARENTS AND BOARD MEMBERS.

OVER ISSUES LIKE KIDS WEARING MASKS IN SCHOOLS, CURRICULUM THAT INCLUDES SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING AND SOME PARENTS AND BOARD MEMBERS OPPOSED TO TEACHING CRITICAL RACE THEORY TO STUDENTS.

SOME BOARD OF EDUCATION CANDIDATES DECIDED TO RUN ON THESE ISSUES ALONE.

AS SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> TO -- WITH THESE BONDS AND CHAINS AND TO -- WITH THESE MASKS.

GIVE ME LIBERTY OR GIVE ME DEATH.

LOCAL BOARD MEMBERS CAN'T REALLY CONTROL THE ISSUES LIKE GOVERNOR MURPHY'S SCHOOL BOARD MASK AND IT FOR STAFFING KIDS BUT THAT IS NOT A FOCAL POINT FOR MANY SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES.

TOMS RIVER CANADA, ANTI-MASK, WON'T GO TO POLITICAL WAR OVER IT.

>> WE ARE BEING BOMBARDED BY POLITICIANS, TEACHERS UNIONS, SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATIONS.

THE GOVERNOR.

BASICALLY FORCING US TO PICK A SIDE.

WHAT WE HAVE IS PEOPLE FIGHTING ONE ANOTHER.

>> Reporter: -- >> OVER WHAT THEY FEEL IS BEST FOR THEIR CHILDREN IN THE NAME OF POLITICS.

POLITICS DON'T BELONG IN OUR CHILDREN'S CLASSROOMS.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES DON'T LIST POLITICAL PARTY BUT THE RED/BLUE DIVISIONS ARE OFTEN OBVIOUS.

SOME POLITICIANS ACTIVELY URGED PARENTS TO RUN FOR SCHOOL BOARD .

>> I THINK IT IS INCREDIBLY EASY TO GET ELECTED TO THESE BOARDS OF EDUCATION AND REALLY HAVE AN IMPACT ON YOUR COMMUNITY AND LISTEN TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS.

AS OPPOSED TO HAVING THEM REMOVED FROM MEETINGS SO IT IS A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY.

IT'S A LOT EASIER TO GET ELECTED THEN YOU MAY IMAGINE.

>> Reporter: >> THERE IS AN INCREASING SENSE OF POLARIZATION IN THE COUNTRY.

JENNA DANFORTH WITH NEW JERSEY'S SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION SAID MORE PEOPLE DECIDED TO RUN.

SHE REPORTS 1.36 CANDIDATES FOR EVERY OPEN SEAT THIS YEAR COMPARED TO 1.26 CANDIDATES PER SEAT LAST YEAR.

HUDSON COUNTY LEADS THE PACK WITH TWO CANDIDATES FOR EVERY AVAILABLE SEATS.

BUT SHE SAYS THE INCREASINGLY HOSTILE ATMOSPHERE IS PUSHING PEOPLE OUT .

>> SOME BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS HAVE DECIDED NOT TO RUN AGAIN BECAUSE OF THE TONE BECAUSE OF THE INCREASING DIFFICULTIES OF SERVING.

>> Reporter: ARE THEY AFRAID?

>> I THINK IN SOME CASES THERE HAVE BEEN INSTANCES.

WE HAVE HEARD ABOUT BOARD MEMBERS BEING SPAT UPON.

>>> I THINK THE COMMUNITY POLARIZATION IS ONE OF THE GREATEST ISSUES AND I THINK IT IS EXACERBATED ONE THE BOARD TAKES A BIASED STANCE ON WHO THEY SEEM TO AGREE WITH AND WHO THEY DISAGREE WITH AND I THINK THAT MAKES PEOPLE ANGRY.

WHILE THEY CONDEMN INCIVILITY, SOME SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES LIKE CAROLYN I FEEL EMPOWERED TO CAMPAIGN ON TOPICS OUTSIDE A BOARD'S PURVIEW.

SHE OPPOSES MASK MANDATES INTO STATE AND NATIONAL ISSUES SHOULD BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION.

>> I THINK THE SCHOOL BOARDS HAVE INFLUENCE OVER MANDATES THAT THE GOVERNOR BRINGS DOWN.

IF AT THE SCHOOL BOARD WE DON'T THINK THAT IS AN APPROPRIATE COVID INTERVENTION AT THIS POINT FOR STUDENTS WE CAN ABSOLUTELY ADVOCATE TO THE GOVERNOR TO LIFT THAT MENDE.

>> Reporter: SHE ALSO SAYS SHE DID NOT ASK FOR IT BUT GAME THE ENDORSEMENT OF THE ULTRACONSERVATIVE PACK 1776 PROJECT WHICH OPPOSES CRITICAL RACE THEORY.

IT IS NOT PART OF NEW JERSEY'S PRE-K-12 CURRICULUM.

>> CRITICAL RACE THEORY IS NOT PART OF MY PLATFORM, SOMETHING WE ARE CAMPAIGNING ON.

I UNDERSTAND IT IS SOMETHING THE COMMUNITY IS TUNED INTO.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT REALLY DISCUSSED OPENLY WITH IN OUR COMMUNITY SO WE UNDERSTAND WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.

>> Reporter: ASK FOR THE MASK MANDATE, IT IS AN ISSUE THAT COULD RESOLVE ITSELF ASSUMING THE PANDEMIC COOLS.

IT IS HOPED THAT DISCUSSIONS COOLDOWN TOO.

>> I THINK THE GOVERNMENT BODIES NEED TO RECOGNIZE THE PART THEY ARE PLAYING AND DIVIDING COMMUNITIES AND STOP IT.

>> I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> AS YOU ENTER THE VOTING BOOTH THIS YEAR BE SURE TO FLIP YOUR BALLOT OVER TO READ THE TWO QUESTIONS WILL BE ASKED TO VOTE ON LOCATED ON THE BACK.

BOTH BALLOT QUESTIONS ARE ASKING WHETHER WE SHOULD REWRITE THE RULES IN THE STATE'S CONSTITUTION ON LEGALIZED GAMBLING.

ONE QUESTION WILL ASK WHETHER YOU BELIEVE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO USE PROFITS TO HELP RAISE MONEY FOR THEIR CAUSE, SOMETHING SENIORS AND VETERANS CAN ALREADY DO.

THE MORE CONTENTIOUS OF THE TWO WOULD EXPAND THE STATE'S CURRENT SPORTS BETTING LOT TO ALLOW WAGERS ON COLLEGE GAMES.

WITH JUST A FEW GAMES DAYS LEFT BEFORE THE ELECTION, THE MEASURE IS FACING GROWING OPPOSITION.

RAVEN SANTANA REPORTS.

A DECISION FOR VOTERS ON TUESDAY.

>> WE STARTED TO REALIZE IF YOU LOOK AT THE THAT'S BEING MADE, A LOT OF FOLKS ARE CASTING THAT'S ON COLLEGE SPORTS AROUND THE COUNTRY AND IT IS A LARGE REVENUE AND WE HAD TO BLOCK IT IN NEW JERSEY AS PART OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT SO I HOPE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ADDRESSING TODAY'S SPORTS BOOK AND WHAT IT MEANS TO STAY IN NEW JERSEY WILL TAKE THE TIME TO READ THE QUESTION.

FROM SENATOR SARLO IS A SPONSOR.

WHETHER OR NOT TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION TO ALLOW BETTING ON COLLEGE CONSTITUTIONS.

CURRENTLY THERE IS A BAN ON BETTING ON GAMES PLAYED IN THE GARDEN STATE.

THE SENATOR SAYS IF IT DOESN'T PASS IT COULD BE A MISSED OPPORTUNITY.

NEW JERSEY IS SET TO HOST THE MEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT IN 2025.

>> THE RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE NCAA THAT WE WILL HOST REGIONALS IN THE COMING YEARS IS A LOT OF REVENUE.

A LOT OF FOLKS FROM OUT OF STATE WILL BE COMING INTO OUR STATE AND SPENDING A COUPLE OF DAYS HERE AND HOPEFULLY, STAYING HERE AND SPENDING TIME IN OUR HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS.

AND I'M SURE THEY ARE GOING TO BE PLACING WAGERS ON GAMES SO WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO CAPTURE THAT REVENUE RIGHT HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

WE DON'T WANT THEM TO USE OUTSIDE LINES OR HAVE TO CAST BETS OUTSIDE OF THE BORDERS OF NEW JERSEY.

>>> SPORTS BETTING HAS BEEN LEGAL SINCE 2018.

IN PURSING THAT CASINOS IN RACETRACKS OR ONLINE THROUGH WEBSITES BUT WAGERING ON SPORTS LIKE DIRECTORS FOOTBALL GAME OR THE NCAA TOURNAMENT REMAINS ILLEGAL AND CHANGING THAT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE POPULAR.

ACCORDING TO A STOCKTON UNIVERSITY POLL RELEASED TODAY MORE THAN HALF OF VOTERS ARE OPPOSED TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT WOULD ALLOW GAMBLING IN COLLEGE GAMES HELD IN NEW JERSEY OR ON GAMES IN WHICH NEW JERSEY TEAMS PARTICIPATE.

THIS IS UP FROM 45% OPPOSED ACCORDING TO A SEPTEMBER STOCKTON POLL AND THE LATEST POLL, 37% SUPPORT THE AMENDMENT WHILE 11% ARE UNSURE.

>> I'M NOT SURE WHAT HAPPENED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER THAT NOW PEOPLE ARE SHIFTING THE OTHER WAY.

JANE BACK IN EFFORTS WITH THE INSTITUTE OF HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM AT STOCKTON SAYS THERE ARE TWO ISSUES PEOPLE HAVE TO CONSIDER WHEN DECIDING WHETHER TO ALLOW BETTING ON COLLEGE SPORTS.

>> ONE IS THE CONCERN ABOUT FIXING THE GAME AND THE OTHER IS THE CONCERN ABOUT THE PRESSURE IT PUTS ON COLLEGE ATHLETES.

SO THE FIXING OF THE GAME ISSUE IS REALLY KIND OF A MOOT POINT BECAUSE PEOPLE CAN STILL CROSS THE BORDER INTO PENNSYLVANIA AND PLACE A MOBILE THAT FAIRLY EASILY BUT THE ISSUE I THINK THAT IS MORE CONCERNING FOR PEOPLE IS THE PRESSURE IT PUTS ON COLLEGE ATHLETES.

EVEN BEING CYBER BULLIED ON SOCIAL MEDIA WHEN THEY DIDN'T HAVE A GOOD GAME AND THERE WAS SOME CONCERN THAT PERHAPS SPORTS BETTING MAKES THAT MORE APPARENT AND MAKES THEM MORE VULNERABLE TO THAT TYPE OF CYBER COMMENTING AND CYBERBULLYING.

>> Reporter: BETTING ON SPORTS IS NOT THE ONLY VALID QUESTION BALLOT QUESTION THAT WILL ASK VOTERS TO REWRITE RULES ON LEGALIZED HANDLING.

THE SECOND WOULD ALLOW NONPROFITS USE MONEY COLLECTED FROM RAFFLES AND BINGO TO SUPPORT OPERATIONS.

>> ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC, CHARITIES ARE REALLY FACING A LOT OF CHALLENGES RIGHT NOW.

WE HAVE SEEN HOW MUCH CHARITIES HAVE STEPPED UP.

IT ALLOWS A CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION THAT YOU KNOW AND LOVE TO BE ABLE TO USE THE PROCEEDS FROM THEIR CHARITABLE GAMES TO BENEFIT THEIR ORGANIZATIONS IN A FLEXIBLE WAY.

SO THEY CONTINUE TO BE THERE FOR THE COMMUNITIES AND PEOPLE THAT NEED THEM.

UNLIKE COLLEGE SPORTS BETTING QUESTION, THIS ONE WILL HAVE AN EASIER TIME PASSING COME ELECTION DAY.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

>>> NO MATTER HOW LONG YOU HAVE LIVED IN NEW JERSEY THE KEY ISSUE DRIVING THE GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION IS GENERALLY THE SAME, THE HIGH COST OF LIVING IN THIS STATE BUT THE ELECTION IS SET AGAINST A GLOBAL PANDEMIC A NATIONAL CONVERSATION AROUND PRESSING SOCIAL ISSUES LIKE RACE AND WOMEN'S HEALTH THAT HAVE BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF POLITICAL DISCOURSE.

THOSE ISSUES HAVE BEEN PLAYING OUT ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL HERE IN NEW JERSEY FOR BOTH MURPHY AND CIATTARELLI.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS SENIOR PROJECT EDITOR, COLLEEN OEA IS HERE TO BREAK IT DOWN.

COLLEEN, WE HAVE SEEN SOCIAL ISSUES DURING THIS GUBERNATORIAL CAMPAIGN, MORE THAN THE USUAL TAXES AND ECONOMY POINTS THAT USUALLY DRIVE AN ELECTION.

EXPLAIN WHAT WE ARE SEEING FROM BOTH CAMPS AND HOW THEY ARE HANDLING THIS?

>> IT IS REALLY NOT EVER COMING UP AS ONE OF THE TOP ISSUES, TAXES, THE ECONOMY, JOBS, CERTAINLY IN THIS YEAR, COVID IS A KEY ISSUE BUT THERE IS A VERY ENGAGED ELECTORATE ENGAGED IN THESE ISSUES SO PARTICULARLY FOR THE MURPHY CAMP BECAUSE HE IS STRONGER ON THIS ISSUE, NOT AS STRONG AS SOME MIGHT LIKE HIM TO BE BUT HE IS STRONGER THAN JACK CIATTARELLI SO THAT IS SOMETHING THAT HAS COME UP REPEATEDLY.

>> JACK CIATTARELLI HAS BEEN ASKED PRETTY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT WHITE PRIVILEGE AND HOW HE WOULD HANDLE ISSUES AFFECTING AMENITIES OF COLOR.

WHAT HAVE YOU SEEN FROM HIM IN TERMS OF HOW HE HAS BEEN ABLE TO ANSWER AND ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES?

>> THE FIRST TIME HE WAS ASKED THAT QUESTION ABOUT WHITE PRIVILEGE ON THE BRIAN THERE ARE SHOW IT WAS KIND OF DISASTROUS, MANY PEOPLE SAID BECAUSE HE DIDN'T ANSWER IT HIS ANSWER WAS ESSENTIALLY NEXT QUESTION.

WHEN WE ASKED HIM ABOUT IT AT THE SECOND DEBATE, HE DID CERTAINLY HAVE AN ANSWER AND IT WAS AN ANSWER THAT ONE WOULD HAVE EXPECTED BUT THE IDEA THAT HE NEEDED TIME TO COME UP WITH THAT AND THINK ABOUT IT, I THINK, REALLY DID NOT BODE WELL FOR HIM AMIDST THOSE WHO ARE VERY PASSIONATE ON THE ISSUE.

>> WHAT ARE SOME OF THE KEY SOCIAL ISSUES DRIVING THIS RACE?

AND HOW DO THEY PLAY OUT FOR CIATTARELLI VERSUS PHIL MURPHY?

>> WHEN WE LOOK AT IMMIGRATION WISHES ONE, THE UNDOCUMENTED THAT HAVE TALKED ABOUT ROLLING BACK THE PROGRAMS THAT THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION PUT IN.

THERE HAS BEEN MONEY FOR LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR IMMIGRANTS, THERE HAS BEEN YOU KNOW, THIS SANCTUARY IDEA THAT POLICE WILL NOT COOPERATE WITH I.C.E.

.

CIATTARELLI IS AGAINST THAT.

HE DOES FAVOR, WHICH KIND OF AT THE LAST MINUTE HE MADE A CHANGE, HE DOES FAVOR LEGAL DRIVER'S LICENSES WHICH IS SOMETHING THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION PUT IN.

THERE IS ALSO A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT CRIMINAL JUSTICE.

JACK CIATTARELLI HAS REALLY SAID THAT HE THINKS THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION HAS HANDCUFFED POLICE IN SOME OF THE REFORMS THAT WERE PUT IN PLACE INCLUDING THINGS LIKE REQUIRING THE PUBLIC THE BRITISH PUBLICATION OF USE OF FORCE INCIDENTS BY OFFICERS.

THAT IS SOMETHING HE WOULD ROLL BACK IN THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION HAS ALSO PUT STRICT LIMITS ON THE USE OF FORCE BY OFFICERS SO THERE HAVE BEEN REALLY BIG CONTRAST THERE.

>> COLLEEN OEA, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>> A REMINDER TO JOIN US HERE ON NJ PBS FOR OUR SPECIAL NJ DECIDES 2021 ELECTION COVERAGE ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2nd AT 10:00 P.M. WE WILL HAVE THE MOST UPDATED RESULTS IN WE WILL RING YOU THE MATCH AND COVERAGE FROM ACROSS THE STATE.

YOU CAN HEAD TO OUR DIGITAL NEWS SITE, AND J SPOTLIGHT.ORG FOR THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS.

>>> RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS BEEN KEEPING AN UPDATE ON THE PRESIDENT SOCIAL SPENDING AND CLIMATE DEAL THAT THE PRESIDENT CALLING THE FRAMEWORK FOR A DEAL A GAME CHANGER.

RHONDA HAS THAT PLUS OTHER SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS HEADLINES.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US, BRENDA COURT >> AFTER WEEKS, PRESIDENT BIDEN ANNOUNCED HE REACHED A DEAL ON A WATERED DOWN SPENDING BILL THAT WOULD INCREASE SPENDING ON SOCIAL PROGRAMS AND ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE.

IT INCLUDES INVESTMENTS IN CHILDCARE AND EXTENSION OF THE CHILD TAX CREDIT ALONG WITH TAX CREDITS BETWEEN FOR CLEAN ENERGY.

>>> THE FRAMEWORK WOULD CREATE MILLIONS OF JOBS, GROW THE ECONOMY, INVEST IN OUR NATION AND OUR PEOPLE.

TURN THE CLIMATE CRISIS IN AN OPPORTUNITY AND PUT US IN A PASS TO COMPETE AND WIN THE ECONOMIC COMPETITION TO THE 21st CENTURY.

>> Reporter: BUT THERE SEEMS TO BE MORE OUT THAN IN INCLUDING FEDERAL PAID FAMILY LEAVE.

MEANTIME, GOVERNOR MURPHY SAYS HE WILL WORK WITH NEW JERSEY'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO ENSURE THAT THE FINAL BILL PROVIDES RELIEF ON THE DEDUCTION CAP.

STATE TREASURY OFFICIALS PLANNING TO MEET TOMORROW TO DECIDE WHETHER TO MOVE FORWARD WITH PAYING OFF SOME OF NEW JERSEY'S THAT.

AND J SPOTLIGHTS JOHN REITMEYER SAYS THE STATE HAS PUT $2.5 MILLION ASIDE TO USE FOR DEBT REPAYMENT.

THE STATE'S BONDED DEBT TOTALS MORE THAN $40 MILLION.

>> CERTAINLY WHITTLING AWAY ANY PORTION OF THE STATE'S BONDED DEBT WILL HELP NARROW DOWN THE ANNUAL DEBT PAYMENT WHICH FREES UP MONEY FOR OTHER PURPOSES IN THE ANNUAL BUDGET.

>> LEARN MORE ABOUT THE STORY ABOUT READING JOHN'S ARTICLE ON NJTVONLINE.ORG.

>>> NEW JERSEY-BASED MERCK SAID TODAY IT IS WRAPPING UP PRODUCTION OF ITS NEW ANTIVIRAL COVID PILL.

THE FDA IS SET TO REVIEW THE PILLS SAFETY AT A MEETING SET FOR NOVEMBER 2 DECIDE WHETHER TO GRANT EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION.

IF APPROVED, THIS WOULD BE THE FIRST COVID TREATMENT IN PILL FORM.

MURPHY EXPECTS TO PRODUCE 10 MILLION DOSES OF THE DRUG BY THE END OF THIS YEAR AND WILL DOUBLE THE DRUG IN 2022.

>>> UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS AND OTHERS UNABLE TO GET COVID RELIEF FUNDS CAN NOW APPLY FOR HELP.

AS OF YESTERDAY APPLICATIONS ARE BEING ACCEPTED FOR THE EXCLUDED NEW JERSEYANS FUND, HOUSEHOLDS WITH INCOMES UP TO $55,000 PER YEAR WITH DOCUMENTED HARDSHIP OR LOST INCOME DUE TO COVID CAN APPLY.

THEY CAN RECEIVE A MAXIMUM OF $2000 PER HOUSEHOLD.

>>> FINALLY A LONG-STANDING NEW JERSEY TRADITION WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN NEXT YEAR.

THE NEW JERSEY CHANMBER OF COMMERCE HAS DELAYED ITS ANNUAL WALK TO WASHINGTON DUE TO ONGOING COVID-19 CONCERNS.

IT WILL HOLD AN EVENT IN ATLANTIC CITY INSTEAD.

THERE IS A LOOK AT HOW THE STOCK MARKET TRADED TODAY.

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

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT IS PROVIDED BY FIELD MERCHANTS ASSOCIATIONS OF NEW JERSEY AND SMART HEAT NJ.

>>> THINK OF IT LIKE A GUN SHOW IN REVERSE.

YOU BRING YOUR OWN WEAPON AND WHOP OUT WITH CASH IN HAND.

THAT IS HOW THE STATE WAS ABLE TO BUY BACK NEARLY 3000 FIREARMS THIS WEEKEND.

THE BUYBACK EVENT WAS HELD ON SATURDAY AT 10 LOCATIONS ACROSS NINE COUNTIES IN NEW JERSEY AND AS ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL, AN BLOCK BROCK DISPLAYED THE BOUNTY OF FIREARMS COLLECTED.

HE SAID TODAY WAS THE LARGEST LOT GATHERED IN STATE HISTORY.

IT IS HELD -- >> LIKE ANY PREVENTATIVE MEASURE WE WILL NEVER KNOW EXACTLY HOW MANY LIVES WERE SAVED AS A RESULT OF THIS EFFORT BUT I HAVE NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT LIVES WERE SAVED.

EVERY SINGLE GUN THAT YOU SEE DISPLAYED IN FRONT OF US IS A GUN THAT A SIX-YEAR-OLD WON'T FIND IN THEIR GRANDPARENTS ATTIC.

IT IS A GUN THAT A FAMILY MEMBER WON'T FIND DURING A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS OR DURING A DOMESTIC INCIDENT.

IS A GUN THAT A BURGLAR WON'T FIND ONE ROOTING AROUND THE HOUSE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO POND.

>>> FOR MANY SOCIAL JUSTICE ADVOCATES, THEY QUESTION HOW EFFECTIVE PROGRAMS LIKE THIS ARE AT REDUCING GUN VIOLENCE.

DID THEY GET GUNS OUT OF THE HANDS OF PEOPLE WHO WOULD USE THEM FOR HARM OR AT UP TO $250 A POP, IS IT SIMPLY SPENDING TAXPAYER DOLLARS WITHOUT MUCH IMPACT ON THE GUN VIOLENCE PLAGUING MANY CITIES IN THE STATE?

CITIES LIKE PATTERSON, TRENTON AND EAST ORANGE WAS MAYORS GATHERED TODAY TO TALK ABOUT THE RISE IN GUN VIOLENCE THEY HAVE SEEN DURING THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF OF THE PANDEMIC.

THE MAYOR HAS TALKED ABOUT A RANGE OF WAYS TO REDUCE BY AND VIOLENT CRIME FROM POLICING TO NEW LEGISLATION AND FORMER NEW YORK CITY POLICE COMMISSIONER, BILL BRATTON WEIGHED IN ON THE DISCUSSION.

HE HAS BEEN AN OPPONENT TO THE BROKEN WINDOWS APPROACH TO POLICING.

A TACTIC THAT CAN LEAD TO OVER POLICING OF BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES AS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS 16 -- MELISSA ROSE COOPER EXPLORERS.

>>> THEY ARE HERE BUT TO PROTECT AND SERVE.

>> Reporter: PATTERSON MAYOR, JOINING THE MAYORS OF TRENTON AND EAST ORANGE FOR THE ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION FOCUSING ON HOW TO MAKE THE CITY SAFER.

>> ESPECIALLY WITH THE PANDEMIC WITH COVID CITIES LARGE AND SMALL THERE HAS BEEN AN UPTICK IN VIOLENT CRIMES.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT POLICE GO OUT IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS AND NOT ONLY DE-ESCALATE THE PROBLEMS THAT ARE IN THE STREETS BUT THAT THE COMMUNITY GETS TO KNOW THE POLICE.

FROM A FORMER NYPD POLICE COMMISSIONER BILL BRATTON LEADING THE DISCUSSION ON THE NEED FOR COMMUNITY POLICING.

HE SPOKE ABOUT HOW HE REDUCED CRIME IN NEW YORK AS WELL AS LOS ANGELES WHEN HE SERVED AS CHIEF OF POLICE.

EVEN DEFENDING THE CONTROVERSIAL STOP AND FRISK PROGRAM AIMED AT PREVENTING SERIOUS CRIMES FROM EVER HAPPENING.

>> POLICE -- SO THE CHALLENGE IS TO DO GREAT GOOD.

>>> SOME COMMUNITY ADVOCATES BELIEVE COMMUNITY POLICING CAN DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD.

>> WE BELIEVE THAT BEST WAY TO ACHIEVE PUBLIC SAFETY IS TO INVEST IN COMMUNITIES.

>> Reporter: BROOKE LEWIS WORKS AS AN ASSOCIATE COUNSEL AT THE INSTITUTION FOR JUSTICE.

THE ORGANIZATION RELEASED A NEW REPORT FOR FUNDING COMMUNITIES A PATHWAY TO PUBLIC SAFETY OUTLINING THE NEED TO POUR MORE RESOURCES IN THE COMMUNITY INSTEAD OF USING POLICE AS A FIRST OPTION.

>> WE SEE POLICE CALLED TO RESPOND TO SITUATIONS THAT COULD BE BETTER HANDLED BY OTHER PROFESSIONALS OR COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND MOREOVER SOME SITUATIONS WHERE POLICE ARE CALLED COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF WE MADE PROPER INVESTMENTS IN COMMUNITY RESOURCES.

WE SEE THAT NATIONALLY THAT WE SPEND $115 BILLION ON POLICING OF THIS IS OFTEN AT THE EXPENSE OF IMPORTANCE COMMUNITY RESOURCES.

THIS IS TRUE DESPITE THE FACT THAT WE KNOW THAT PEOPLE -- THINGS LIKE EDUCATION, ACCESS TO HOUSING, RESTORATIVE JUSTICE ARE IMPORTANT TO KEEPING COMMUNITIES SAFE.

WE ALSO DISTURBINGLY SEE PEOPLE WITH UNTREATED MENTAL ILLNESS ARE 16 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO BE KILLED DURING A POLICE INSURRECTION.

AND SOME PEOPLE JUST SIMPLY AREN'T COMFORTABLE CALLING THE POLICE WHEN THEY NEED HELP.

>> THERE IS A CONCERN THAT COMMUNITY POLICING UNFAIRLY TARGETS COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

>> IN NEW JERSEY WE KNOW THAT BLACK PEOPLE ARE THREE TIMES MORE LIKELY TO FACE POLICE FORCE.

WE HAVE ALSO SEEN SYSTEMIC DIVESTMENT FROM BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES AS WELL WHICH IS WHY IN PARTICULAR WHEN WE TALK ABOUT REFUNDING COMMUNITIES WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE ARE COMMUNITIES, THOSE WHO ARE MOST IMPACTED THAT GET ENOUGH FUNDING TO KEEP THEMSELVES SAFE .

>> Reporter: BUT EAST ORANGE MAYOR, CHAD GREEN DOES NOT BELIEVE COMMUNITY RELEASING IS THE ISSUE.

HE SAYS THE KEY IS GETTING TO KNOW AND UNDERSTAND ITS RESIDENTS.

>> OUR CRIME RATE HAS BEEN DEVOID SINCE 1965.

THAT IS UNHEARD OF BUT THAT IS WHAT GOOD POLICING, WHAT OUR COMMUNITY BEING INVOLVED, OUR FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS BEING INVOLVED.

ALSO WE ARE INCLUDING OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT SO WE ARE WORKING TOGETHER:THE LEADERS OF THE ROUNDTABLE SAY THEY RECOGNIZE THERE WILL ALWAYS BE CRIME BUT THEIR GOAL IS TO BUILD TRUST WITH MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY SO THEY CAN FIND THE BEST WAYS TO KEEP THEM SAFE FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> PRESIDENT BITING IS ADDING ANOTHER LAYER TO FIGHTING ILLEGAL ACTIVITY IN THE STATE BY NOMINATING PHIL CYLINDER AS U.S. ATTORNEY FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY A POSITION ONCE FELLED BY GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE.

SALINGER SERVED AS AN ASSISTANT U.S. ATTORNEY EARLY IN HIS CAREER AND IS NOW A COMANAGING PARTNER FOR A PRIVATE LAW FIRM IN NEW JERSEY.

GOVERNOR MURPHY PRAISED THE CHOICE SAYING "PHIL IS A HIGHLY RESPECTED ATTORNEY WITH DECADES OF EXPERIENCE AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF OUR LEGAL SYSTEM AS A PROSECUTOR AND IN PRIVATE PRACTICE."

STILLINGER HAS BEEN -- FROM PRESIDENT BIDEN THROUGH BOB MENENDEZ ALONG WITH CORY BOOKER ALONG WITH SEVERAL CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATES BE HE WILL NOW NEED TO BE CONFIRMED WERE HE WILL HAVE A ALLY IN SENATOR BOOKER.

>>> UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL IN FOREFRONT HAS BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT IN FORCING MASTS VACCINE MANDATES FOR STAFF, FIRING THOSE WHO DON'T COMPLY AND NOW REQUIRES BOOSTERS FOR EMPLOYEES WHO GOT THE ONE AND DONE J&J VACCINE.

WITH MIX AND MATCHING OF SHOTS NOW AVAILABLE, IT WILL BE UP TO EACH EMPLOYEE TO DECIDE WHAT BOOSTER BRAND THEY CHOOSE.

THE MANDATE WILL EFFECT ROUGHLY 270 EMPLOYEES.

HOSPITAL LEADERS SAY THERE IS NO PLAN TO REQUIRE BOOSTERS FOR THOSE WHO GOT PFIZER OR MOJO ON HER SHOTS.

THIS IS SHOTS IN ARMS CONTINUE TIME TO CLIMB ACROSS THE STATE FOR THE JUST OVER 6 MILLION RESIDENTS FULLY VACCINATED AND THE 483,000 WHO HAVE GOTTEN AN ADDITIONAL SHOT.

THE STATE REPORTED TODAY ROUGHLY 1500 CASES AND 20 MORE DEATHS.

>>> A 4th DOSE MAY NOW BE POSSIBLE FOR SOME ADULTS WITH WEAKENED IMMUNE SYSTEM.

THE CDC PUT OUT NEW GUIDANCE THAT FOLKS THAT GOT PFIZER ALL MODERNA COULD GET A 4th SHOT SIX MONTHS AFTER THE THIRD ONE.

IT WAS JUST A FEW MONTHS AGO THE FEDERAL HEALTH REGULATORS APPROVED THE THIRD DOSE FOR THE SAME POPULATION.

ALL THIS AS WE WAIT FOR FEDERAL HEALTH REGULATORS TO AUTHORIZE THE PFIZER VACCINE FOR KIDS 5 TO 11 WHICH IS EXPECTED WITHIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

>>> 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.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING BUT IF YOU MISSED ANY OF THE POLITICAL HEADLINES THIS WEEK, TUNE INTO REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE TOMORROW MORNING WERE SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUZ TALKS WITH PATRICK MURRAY FROM MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY POLLING INSTITUTE ABOUT THE FINAL POLL FOR THE NEW JERSEY GOVERNOR RACE TOMORROW AT 10:00 A.M. ON THE YOUTUBE CHANNEL OR WHEREVER YOU STREAM.

I'M JOANNA GAGIS.

THANKS FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE AGAIN TOMORROW.

>>> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

>>> THE OCEAN WAINER PROJECT BUT BY ORSTEAD AND PSEG.

WE PROVIDE REMOVABLE OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY, JOBS, EDUCATIONAL, SUPPLY-CHAIN, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GARDEN STATE.

OCEAN WINDS.

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