Police are stepping up patrols to reduce the risk of terrorism. That story and more in today's Monmouth and Ocean County News from Townsquare Media.

The Monmouth County Sheriff's office is stepping up patrols during the Jewish holiday and the UN General Assembly gathering in NYC. Extra police and K9 units will be staffed at ferry terminals and train stations, synagogues and schools. Enforcers are doing their part to discourage terrorism and hate crimes.

A Keyport man is accused of kidnapping and beating his former girlfriend and attacking investigators in Aberdeen. Authorities say 23-year old Akiro Lukwago-Jones also ignored cops' attempts to stop his car and left one officer with leg and arm injuries.

A West Long Branch man awaits a hearing for allegedly head-butting an officer trying to arrest him in a domestic episode. Police say Joseph Poliseno tossed furniture into his parents' pool and damaged their porch before being subdued Saturday.

A Long Branch man is charged with repeatedly sexually assaulting a young girl on more than one occasion several years ago. Police say 36-year old Victor Alvarez De La Rosa knew the victim's family.

Police are again warning about phone scams. The latest phone calls are from criminals pretending to be computer repair technicians. They are phoning homeowners offering free scans to detect viruses. Police say some people aren't even realizing they're being victimized until after the fact. Never give your name, address, or social security number or any credit card info over the phone.

In a split decision, the State Supreme Court has ruled it's unconstitutional to force sex offenders convicted before a GPS monitoring program was signed into law to wear the tracking devices. Attorneys for 81-year old George Riley of Eatontown argued making him wear a GPS was additional punishment.

Four suspects accused in the carjacking murder of Toms River native Dustin Friedland at the Short Hills Mall last December have been indicted on six counts. The men remain behind bars on $2 million bail each. The 30-year old lawyer was shot in the head while returning to his Range Rover in the mall parking garage with his wife, according to authorities.

The state senate has passed a bill to toughen penalties against reckless gun owners if a child gains access to their loaded firearm and injures or kills another person. The bill would change the law from a disorderly persons offense to a third and fourth degree crime.

New Jersey voters would decide whether judges can stay on the job until age 75 if a measure approved by an assembly committee today becomes law. The bill would alter the state constitution. Proponents say it would ease the vacancy backlog and stabilize the judicial pension system.

Parents and guardians could have their children's school files removed from district records sent to federal agencies or vendors if a bill becomes law. Adult students would also be empowered under the bill that won committee approval yesterday.

We may be on the edge of a mini-drought. Ground water and reservoirs are fine, but the state climatologist warns river and streams are low for this time of year. Almost every county, except Ocean County, has seen below average rainfall this summer.

Bruce Springsteen gets high marks from his fellow Garden State residents today on his 65th birthday. Monmouth University polled New Jerseyans, and those who like The Boss far outweigh those who don't. In fact only 4% don't like him. The poll director says 37% of respondents feel Bruce's music, even darker tracks, help our state's image.

Governor Christie has lost about 85 pounds since undergoing weight loss surgery last year. He reportedly says that he continues to lose weight and is in good health.

The Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties celebrates its 30th anniversary by hosting an open house next week. Visitors will get to see what it takes to distribute food to over 130,000 residents in our area. The open house takes place Thursday, October 2nd, from 12:30 pm - 4:30 pm.

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