SURRENCY TO PROPOSE RESOLUTIONS ON HAZARD PAY, TESTING, PPE, AND PROTOCOLS

 Pearson, Wells-Huggins: Let’s Do It Now!

(BRIDGETON, NJ) – Tired of the lack of action, Cumberland County Freeholder Jack Surrency announced today he’s proposing a series of resolutions to address the mishandling of COVID-19 at the county department of corrections. Meanwhile, running mates Donna M. Pearson and Tracy Wells-Huggins doubled-down on their support, calling for the county to take immediate action on the proposals.

“These proposals will provide immediate relief, protections, in addition to vital testing and reporting at the county department of corrections,” said Freeholder Jack Surrency (D-Bridgeton). “Our officers, staff, and inmates are in harm’s way. We must act.”

Surrency’s proposals call for the following:

• Hazard pay for corrections officers, utilizing the Morris County model

• Weekly COVID-19 testing and reporting for officers, staff and inmates, and personal protection equipment disclosures

• Strict enforcement of Attorney General protocols, including AG Directives 2020-1 (Rev. 4.11.20), 2020-2, 2020-3, in addition to Guidance to Law Enforcement to Protect Public and Meet Challenges of COVID-19 Pandemic COVID LE Guidance A, COVID LE Guidance B, and COVID LE Guidance Final

“Putting testing in place for officers, staff, and inmates is critical,” said Donna M. Pearson, a former freeholder. “This is about using science and data to help and to protect human beings. We can do this now, and we must do this now.”

“The county has the resources and ability to secure tests and PPE,” said Tracy Wells-Huggins, a Registered Nurse and juvenile justice advocate. “This isn’t the time to worry about the balance sheet, it is the time to worry about people, people getting sick, and people being put at risk.”