In September, 2024, Daniel Rodrick threatened to sue Ocean County if it moved forward with plans to open a Code Blue warming center for the homeless on Route 9. “Toms River will no longer be a depository for the county’s homeless,” Rodrick said. “The prior administration allowed a homeless camp to grow and fester. My administration is working with the DCA (Department of Community Affairs) on a plan to clear out the camp. … If the liberal do-gooders on the county board of commissioners move forward on this, we will take legal action against them.” Surprisingly, this is one lawsuit that was not filed. Code Blue shelters provide overnight housing for those experiencing homelessness when the temperature dips to freezing and below from November 1 to March 31.
Daniel Rodrick “locked out” Just Believe, the homeless advocacy group, that Toms River Township allowed to operate a Code Blue Shelter at Riverwood Park for seven years; he literately changed the locks and sent them packing to a new location in South Toms River because…HE SAID SO, but others believe it was politically motivated and another one of Daniel Rodrick’s vendettas; once again, jeopardizing the quality of life of citizens who are in need.
Ocean County did establish a Code Blue Center on Route 9 in the PIC Building at 1959 Lakewood Road in Toms River to serve those in need of a warming center on nights below 32 degrees…but it is far from the same operation as past years when Just Believe was in Toms River. Daniel Rodrick sent Just Believe packing, though they are still a great part of assisting those in need, and he, Daniel Rodrick created more chaos for those just looking for a safe and warm night. At this time, we will not evaluate or report on the so called “Rodrick plan to house the homeless” with the $2M he “found”, but rather the chaos he caused by locking Just Believe out of Toms River. Trust us, this story is not over!
Through OPRA requests, we were able to determine that while Just Believe operated the Code Blue Center at Riverwood Park, from the time period of November, 2019 to February, 2024, there were 11 calls to the Toms River Police Department (OPRA response provided). Not only did Just Believe provide a warm place for those in need, they provided safety and comfort. Ocean County on the other hand, since Daniel Rodrick kicked out Just Believe, from November 1, 2024 to March 4, 2025, there have been 81 calls including at least 18 calls for “disorderly,” an overdose, 5 for theft and 6 PESS Screenings (Psychiatric Emergency Screening Services). Aside from the obvious, that Just Believe operates a “tight-ship,” whenever Daniel Rodrick makes a decision or invokes his vendettas, chaos ensues and people are hurt. We call on the Council of Toms River to act on this matter before November 1, 2025 and come up with a safe solution, then benefits those in need, as well as reduces the strain on the Toms River Police Department – the clock is ticking!