New Hanover Township Police Department

05/25/2026

05/19/2026

🚨 CLICK IT OR TICKET 🚨

Once again, we are asking everyone to participate in the incredibly difficult task of… clicking a seat belt.

Officers are actively citing unbuckled drivers and passengers, and ensuring children are secured in the proper car or booster seats. Contrary to popular belief, “they’re fine in the back” and “my dog is watching them” are not approved child restraint systems.

New Jersey’s “Click It or Ticket” seat belt enforcement campaign runs from May 18 through May 31.

New Jersey law requires EVERY occupant, front and back to be buckled up. Seat belt usage for drivers and all front-seat passengers is a PRIMARY offense, meaning officers can stop you for this alone.

That little “ding ding ding” sound your car makes? That’s not your vehicle applauding your driving skills. It’s begging you to put the seat belt on before you become a windshield ornament.

FINES:
The penalty for an unbuckled occupant or driver is a $46 fine.

And before someone types “THIS IS JUST A MONEY GRAB 😡” in all caps from their recliner… the Township only receives $7 of that fine. That won’t even cover a coffee and stale donut, let alone fund the imaginary police yacht people think we’re buying.

Some additional reminders:
Wearing your seat belt under your arm does not count.

Clipping it behind you while sitting on top of it does not count.

Holding the seat belt near your chest when you see a patrol car definitely does not count.

Your friend yelling “COPS!” and everyone scrambling to buckle up at once is always entertaining, though.

Also, if NASCAR drivers willingly strap themselves in before driving 200 mph in circles, you can probably handle wearing one while heading to Wawa.

Seat belts save lives. They also save you from:
• Tickets
• Eating your steering wheel
• Becoming an unexpected passenger in the back seat during a crash
• Having your grandmother say “I told you so” from the hospital room

Buckle up, Every trip, Every time, Even if you’re “just going down the road real quick.

05/13/2026

Please join us in congratulating Cpl. York on his promotion to the rank of Sergeant at last night’s Township Meeting!

Sgt. York has consistently demonstrated hard work, dedication, and professionalism throughout his career. His commitment to serving our community has made a positive impact both within the department and throughout the township.

We are proud to see him take this next step in his career and look forward to his continued leadership and service.

Congratulations, Sgt. York!

05/04/2026

The best time to prepare for hurricanes is BEFORE hurricane season begins. Avoid having to rush through potentially life-saving preparations by waiting until it’s too late. Get your disaster supplies while the shelves are still stocked, and get that insurance checkup early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period.

noaa.gov/prepare-before-hurricane-season

05/01/2026

🚨New Jersey Tint Laws: A Public Service Announcement (Because Your Actions Make Us Post This Information) 🚨

In New Jersey (39:3-74 and 39:3-75), your front two windows are NOT allowed to be tinted. Zip, Zero Nada, Nothing.

Yes, that means the ones you use to, you know… see, look at traffic, watch out for pedestrians/kids, navigate the roadways! You know, the small things!

The rear windows? Go wild. Make it a rolling cave. Turn it into a mobile witness protection unit. Totally fine.

**Now let’s talk about the ever popular front windshield tint. It's bold, but it is also illegal. The “I’d prefer to drive blind” lifestyle choice. Not only is it against the law, but it also introduces the exciting challenge of navigating roads while staring through what is essentially a pair of $5 gas station sunglasses… at night. Genius Move!

But hey, who needs visibility when you’ve got confidence?
After all, people are already struggling with:
• Those mysteriously hidden stop signs
• Speed limit signs that just sneak up out of nowhere
• And those hilarious painted lines on the road that somehow dictate where you can and cannot drive or pass (wild concept)
So why not make it harder? Let’s dim everything down and really test those reflexes and eyesight.

**Special Feature**: The “Inspection Sticker Window” Masterpiece!
Nothing says “I’ve thought this through” quite like a pitch black windshield… with a perfectly cut little square missing so the inspection sticker can peek out like it’s being held hostage.
Ah, yes, the custom DIY cutout, part illegal tint job, part kindergarten arts and crafts project. From the outside, it looks like your car blinked and forgot to finish. From the inside, it’s that one oddly bright patch reminding you that deep down, even the tint knows it’s not supposed to be there.

It’s really the best of both worlds:
• Reduced visibility everywhere
• One tiny legal loophole window
• A look that says, “I commit… but not fully.”
Bold aesthetic choice, truly groundbreaking decisions being made!

In conclusion:
Rear windows = Your personal blackout fortress, Go For It!
Front windows = Maybe keep those clear so you don’t accidentally invent a new driving technique called “guess, hope, and pray.” But, we are also convinced that some of you already do that, based on your driving habits!!

04/25/2026

Good Afternoon Residents….

While we work hard to keep this town clean of crime we sure hope the community would help by keeping the town clean of trash.

Littering is not cool and neither is dumping trash anywhere but a trash can or dumpster.

Friendly reminder from us to you, if the Township Dumpsters are closed don’t leave your trash against the gate!

The Township Dumpsters have been closed more frequently due to them being over filled.

Waste Management won’t empty the dumpsters if they are over filled. So let’s all work together and be mindful when disposing of house hold garbage.

Here are some fun facts about littering:

* Trash on the road can lead to car accidents.

* Broken glass or sharp objects can injure people, pets and property.

* Dumped garbage can harm plants and stunt their growth.

* Small animals can get stuck inside bottles or jars, leading to starvation.

* Birds, wildlife and aquatic animals can get tangled in or eat plastic waste, which can be fatal.