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A new group in Toms River looks to ease community tension

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TOMS RIVER – A new multicultural advisory board known as Toms River UNITED has been formed in the community.

Toms River UNITED stands for Toms River Uniting Neighbors In Town Every Day. The advisory board is led by Police Chief Mitch Little.

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According to Little, the idea for such a board started when he was looking at the eight police chaplains of multiple religious denominations who serve in the police department.

“My original idea was to use this group (of chaplains) to form a multicultural advisory board, but it became evident the group needed to be larger and more inclusive,” Little said.

Little said he recently met with members of the Interfaith Clergy Association of Greater Toms River and other religious leaders to discuss the creation of a multicultural advisory board. He said he was asked to lead that board as a neutral party.

Little said the goal of the advisory board is to address issues and concerns across all cultures and interests in Toms River.

“I also wanted to make sure the advisory board was not just faith-based. I wanted every group represented, including civic groups, cultural leaders, business leaders and members of our local government. I brought in members of the Chamber of Commerce as well as the director of the Toms River Business Improvement District,” Little said.

In July, Toms River UNITED held its first meeting in the Town Hall Community Room, which organizers said was a neutral location. According to Little, more than 30 people were in attendance, including Township Council members and the mayor.

“We had representatives from all faiths, as well as members of the Asian, Hispanic, Filipino, Muslim, Hindu, Jewish (conservative and orthodox) communities, various Christian denominations and business leaders. We all introduced ourselves and discussed our goals,” Little said.

According to the latest bias incidents reports provided by the state Attorney General’s Office, Ocean County had 30 bias incidents reported in 2015 and 43 bias incidents reported in 2016. In the same reports Toms River had no bias incidents reported in 2015 and six bias incidents reported in 2016.

Steven Walvick, who is the cantor at Congregation B’nai Israel, Toms River, said he became involved with the new advisory board after invitations from the Interfaith Clergy Association of Greater Toms River. According to Walvick, he experienced an unnerving incident several ago.

“I had someone yell out something that was not nice while I was walking home from synagogue. … The thing is, communities change. You cannot fight change. I think Toms River UNITED is coming up with solutions that address the new needs of the community,” Walvick said.

He said there are legitimate concerns people have when a community changes. He said it is important to keep change separate from an undercurrent of hate.

In recent years, Toms River has seen an influx of Orthodox Jewish families. The presence of the new residents has led to certain issues with which the community at large has dealt.

“What we as liberal Jews want is to address the changing needs of the community and ensure that people’s concerns are heard and that they are not in any way anti-Semitic,” Walvick said.

“One of our first initiatives will be to have a township-wide night out to meet your neighbor, as well as a cultural food and music fest downtown where we can all experience all of the cultures in one place at one time,” Little said.

The next meeting of the new advisory board was scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 3 at the Town Hall Community Room, 33 Washington St. Representatives of any group who want to participate may email Little at Chief@trpolice.com.

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