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Here’s my letter/email to this mayor and police chief:

Mayor William Henfey and Chief Robert Matteucci,
August 11, 2013

I am writing to you in reference to the actions of one of your Police Officers there in North Wildwood, NJ, who in the last few days there on the boardwalk ticketed and then a disabled veteran, Jared Goering, to leave. This veteran, was an individual who served 19 years in our service, and three tours of combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. The officer ticketed this man because he was using his service dog to help him on the Boardwalk. Apparently the officer only felt, “seeing eye dogs,” were allowed.

I notice on your site for North Willdwood that your indicate to the public how importantly you view the Americans with Disabilities Act, which is the law of the land. How is the behavior by this officer at all consistent with that? It is not.

This veteran was severally injured by an IED in Afghanistan, and as a part of his recovery, rehabilitation, and treatment, requires that dog be with him at all times. For your officer to even so much as demand or ask for ID for that dog is not allowed under the law. But then, when shown the dog’s ID, for him to replay, “What, are all vets being issued dogs now?” and, “That ID does not mean anything to me,” is simply intolerable and cannot stand.

I can think of two critical things that North Wildwood simply must do to diffuse this and satisfy the outrage that is building with the public...all over this country...over this issue.

1) Make a formal, public apology, where this man and his wife and the offending officer and city officials are all present and apology profusely to him for the way he was treated, dismissing all charges.

2) Immediately institute an educational and training program within your city staff, most importantly within the Police Department, to train these personnel regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act in general, and specifically about service dogs.

3) Institute disciplinary action against any officer or employee who themselves violate the law, as this officer did, with regards to any person covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

As a disabled American myself, I understand this retired soldier’s position, disgrace, and negative impact when others ignore their needs, required under the law, and particularly when they treat them in this way. Your officer, sworn to uphold the law, actually broke the law himself in ticketing and removing this disabled veteran because of his dog. How utterly shameful.

I hope you will simply do the right thing and forget politics and elections, terms of office, and all of that in respecting this man and his family who have already suffered so much for us all, and who does not need the very people he defended adding to that suffering.

Sincerely,

Jeff Head
Idaho, USA