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Residents press council on police staffing, EMS and homelessness after recent encampment clearings
Summary
Speakers and councilmembers disputed the town’s homeless response and raised concerns about police staffing and Silverton EMS; council members urged coordination with county and nonprofits while some called for reinstating Silverton EMS services.
Public comment at the Toms River council meeting focused heavily on public safety, with residents and civic leaders urging stronger responses to homelessness, faster EMS service and higher police staffing.
Phil Brilliant, a longtime local activist, cited police and EMS staffing trends and criticized the administration's handling of downtown encampments and temporary housing. "In 2024, we started the year with 163 police officers. But by May first of 2025, the number has dropped to 153 ... and we'll be down to just a 140 officers by the end of this year," Brilliant said, arguing the…
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