By JF Grodeska with additional reporting by Elizabeth Wulfhorst
SEA BRIGHT – At the most recent borough council meeting Mayor Brian P. Kelly and council members acknowledged the heroic actions of Sea Bright Patrolman Sean Marelli, also a member of Sea Bright Fire and Rescue. Marelli successfully rescued a woman trying to take her own life by jumping from the Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge.
On Nov. 19, 2022, at about 5 a.m., Marelli was on patrol when he received a radio call that a distraught woman had climbed onto the left side of the bridge and was preparing to jump.
Marelli responded and within minutes was in conversation with the unidentified woman, talking her off the bridge and ultimately saving her life.
“I want to thank Sean just for doing a great job because you never know what you’re going to get. Anything could happen at 5 o’clock in the morning.” Kelly said. “Even at 5 o’clock in the morning, 4 o’clock, 3 o’clock, these guys are still out on patrol doing their jobs and that’s what they’re supposed to do.”
The mayor and council presented Marelli with a certificate of appreciation.
Just days after Marelli’s commendation, another Sea Bright police officer and resident of the borough, Erich A. Bennett, 46, was arrested and charged with stalking, making threats and harassment of a former girlfriend, according to a release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Jan. 27.
The release states Bennett and the victim were in a relationship until November 2022. In December he allegedly threatened her with physical harm at her home; in January he began harassing her on social media using a fake persona. The victim also suffered property damage, including slashed tires and stolen security cameras, believed to be the work of Bennett.
An investigation by MCPO Professional Responsibility & Bias Crime Bureau and local law-enforcement partner agencies further revealed that “from October 2022 through January 2023, Bennett had accessed law-enforcement databases on more than 30 occasions for non-law-enforcement purposes, specifically to access personal identifying information of the victim and multiple individuals with whom she is associated.”
Sea Bright Police Chief Brett M. Friedman said, “We acknowledge that when incidents such as this occur, the trust bestowed to us by our residents and governing body may be called into question, but know that the Sea Bright Police Department is dedicated to providing the highest level of service to all we are called to serve.”
Bennett was arrested Jan. 25; a detention hearing has been scheduled for Feb. 6. Bennett is currently suspended without pay from the Sea Bright Police Department.
Other News from the
January Council Meeting
• The borough council introduced an ordinance to exceed the municipal budget appropriation limits. A state law limits the amount a municipality can increase its yearly budget to 2.5% over the previous year’s appropriations, unless authorized by an ordinance. For 2023, the borough is looking for a 3.5% increase, the maximum allowed by ordinance.
The borough council said the increase is necessary “in the interest of promoting the health, safety and welfare of the citizens.” If the ordinance is adopted, the budget will increase by $192,987.06, $55,139.16 more than allowed by law without an ordinance.
• In August 2016, Kelly Management Group, L.L.C., the owner 10 East Ocean Ave., formerly known as The Mad Hatter Restaurant, received site plan and variance approval from the planning board for demolition of the existing structure and construction of a new elevated restaurant with various other improvements. Although construction began, all activity soon ceased, leaving a potentially dangerous and unsightly situation on the property. Despite multiple requests and notices, the property owner has failed to correct the hazards. On Feb. 16, 2021, borough council declared the property abandoned and added it to the abandoned property list.
Now the council has authorized the preparation of Requests for Proposals for potential redevelopment concepts for this parcel.
• The borough council also voted to support the fundraising efforts of three local organizations by donating 2023 beach badges. The Bayshore Middle School PTO will receive two badges for its May 5 gift auction; the Bayview PTA will receive two badges for its March 4 gift auction; and Middletown High School North will receive two badges for its Feb. 17 gift auction.
The article originally appeared in the February 2 – 8, 2023 print edition of The Two River Times.
