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Resident alleges police misconduct during public comment; borough attorney says internal affairs investigated and prosecutor declined charges
Summary
During public comment, resident Lisa Rippo alleged misconduct involving police and borough officials; Borough Attorney Ron Galzunas responded that the incidents were investigated by internal affairs and the Cape May County Prosecutor's Office "determined that there was no criminal conduct" and declined to file charges.
At the Wildwood Crest Borough Commission meeting a resident used the public-comment period to make several accusations about prior police action and municipal handling of records.
Lisa Rippo (speaker 8) identified herself and said she had filed a lawsuit regarding her removal from a previous meeting and alleged that calls and records had been altered. She named individuals and asked officials why certain calls were not in the record and whether outside counsel had been engaged on related matters. Her remarks included accusations that records had been "fixed" and allegations of improper arrest and prosecution of her son.
Borough Attorney Ron Galzunas (speaker 9) later addressed the same public-comment allegations. "Everything that is alleged was investigated through internal affairs," he said, adding that the Cape May County Prosecutor's Office "reviewed that image and determined that there was no criminal conduct, no criminal action, no criminal activity that occurred. They declined to file any charges." He described the allegations as "utterly and completely baseless" and defended the Wildwood Crest Police Department's conduct and procedures.
What the meeting record shows: The transcript captures the resident's accusations and the attorney's statement about internal affairs and the county prosecutor's decision. The borough attorney's comments reference an internal review and the prosecutor's declined filing; the transcript does not contain investigative records, case numbers, or a written prosecutor's finding.
Why it matters: Accusations about police conduct and municipal recordkeeping raise public-accountability concerns. The borough attorney's statement that the prosecutor declined to file charges is a factual claim on the record; independent verification from the Cape May County Prosecutor's Office or internal-affairs records would be needed to confirm details beyond the commission's statements.
What happens next: No further action on the record was announced. The attorney indicated the prosecutor reviewed the matter and declined to file charges.
