Since Daniel Rodrick took over on January 1, 2024, he has attacked the Toms River Police Department, a force that was notably one of the best in New Jersey and former Chief Mitch Little was invited to speak national on his innovative leadership of the Department. Systematically Rodrick’s Rules of Chaos, along with his Toms River Council puppets, Justin Lamb, George Lobman, Craig Coleman and Lynn O’Toole voted to eliminate officers, Captains and the Public Information Officer and then Daniel Rodrick, Business Administrator Jonathan Salonis forced Mitch Little to retire. Let we not forget, Rodrick and Salonis fired Jillian Messina (her lawsuit continues now), the day after she spoke at the Toms River Council meeting and presented the FACTS about the success of the Toms River Police Department and the FACTS about needing more manpower and administration. Had it not been for the voice of the residents and the successful petition, forcing the Council to repeal the Ordinance to eliminate the positions, Daniel Rodrick could never have promoted 2 Captains, Guy Marie and Peter Sundack. Daniel Rodrick does not care about the public safety of the residents of Toms River and along with his supporters, led by Council President Justin Lamb and now with Councilman Bill Byrne by their side, their lack of plans will threaten the residents public safety even more in 2025.
We wanted to bring the following FACTS to you, especially as Daniel Rodrick will tell you about his successes, and on April 30 will tout how he has saved the Township money by cutting salaries and positions, so we call can receive a flat tax in 2025 – but is your life and safety worth something to you? We heard at Council Meetings in 2024, “I would pay a little more in tax, if you would protect me and put more police on the street.” Daniel Rodrick has caused the following chaos that will endanger your lives and here are the facts:
- 2024 Officer List – 162 Officers
- 2025 Officer List – 156 Officers (includes 2 that retired in 2025, so actually 154)
- 2025 List of those to retire: 3 on May 1; 2 on June 1; 3 on July 1; and 2 on September 1. Additionally 4 more are eligible for retirement, so by the end of 2025 the Toms River Police Department may only have 140 Active Officers.
- February 14, 2025 Email Chain between Acting Chief Peter Sundack and Daniel Rodrick, Jonathan Salonis, Peter Pascarella and Drew Chabot with the Subject 2025-2027 Hiring List. Included on this list are 4 February 14, 2025 Graduates of the Academy and 3 scheduled to enter the March, 2025 (Class #122) Academy.
- February 20, 2025 Email Chain between Acting Chief Peter Sundack and Jonathan Salonis and Daniel Rodrick with Subject Full Time Police Officer Hiring. The same list is attached, however in the email Acting Chief Sundack states “I am writing to follow up on our phone conversation from February 20, 2025, and to confirm your instruction regarding Police Officer candidates Theodore Golubowski and Nicholas Sura (Candidates #1 and #3 from the attached hiring list). As per your direction, these candidates will not be hired and will not be sent to the Ocean County Police Academy for the Basic Course for Police Officer training. To recap, both candidates were approved for hire by you and Mayor Rodrick via the DMS Workflow PRAC form on January 2, 2025.” This and the balance of the email is below, but clearly states that Salonis and Rodrick canceled the Academy and hiring of any new Police Officers.
Rodrick’s Rules of Chaos, followed by Lamb, Bryne, O’Toole and Coleman are impacting the public safety of the residents of Toms River. Voice your concerns at the next Council Meeting, April 30, 2025 at 4PM and as you vote this Primary Election Day, June 10, 2025 (or via mail-in ballot now).