Fulfilled police duties and served as an ambassador
SOMERS POINT — On Dec. 12, City Council honored retired K-9 officer Erco for his years of service following his death Oct. 6.
Erco was accepted into the Somers Point Police Department in March 2013 and, serving with partner Officer Rick Dill, was responsible for countless warrant arrests and tracking activities aiding in locating criminals and recovering stolen property to be entered into evidence.
“Erco truly fulfilled his obligation to detect and protect,” stated a resolution honoring the officer.
In addition to his law-enforcement duties, Erco played a major role in the city’s Community Awareness Program and has been an ambassador for the city, loved and admired by many, according to the resolution.
“Upon retirement from the Police Department in January 2020, Erco lived with K-9 Officer Dill, with whom he had forged a relationship of love, loyalty and respect,” it stated.
“I want to thank Sgt. Dill for taking on that responsibility and that role as a K-9 officer and more importantly for providing Erco an excellent life and home during his time here on Earth,” Councilman Sean McGuigan said.
“I can only imagine the pain you felt when Erco passed, because a lot of us had dogs and they were pets but that was a partner and you were with Erco for a lot of years, day and night,” Mayor Denis Tapp said. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
Councilman Howard Dill, the officer’s father, was too emotional too speak.
Busy 2024 for events
In other business, Recreation Commission Director Doug Shallcross presented a year-end report.
“I want to give a report on some of the events we had going on this past year, what we are looking forward to next year and some of the projects we completed or are hoping to complete in 2025,” he told City Council.
Shallcross said the summer beach concerts were packed every Friday night.
“It seems like we are running out of room to put people on the beach there,” he said. “It was a very successful season for them; it seems like it’s growing ever since we came back from 2020 and not having it that it keeps getting bigger and bigger.”
Shallcross said the children’s events Mondays on the beach gained in popularity and the city is considering doubling the dates from four to eight for next year.
He said the citywide yard sale continues to grow, noting there were 95 properties in the spring and 75 in the fall.
“When we first brought it back in 2021, we had 45,” Shallcross said.
He said the Trunk or Treat event had more than 500 children and many vendors ran out of candy halfway through.
The Christmas parade also continues to grow, this year featuring more than 50 groups.
Events at the Senior Center include yoga classes that began with one class a week but has expanded to three a week with about 20 people in each class. Shallcross said a live concert at the center on Ambler Road was well-attended.
Looking forward, Shallcross said there are plans to replace the playground at the beach and the department is hoping to focus on the one at John F. Kennedy Memorial Park next, noting its proximity to the water causes issues there.
Another initiative the department is working on is placing AEDs at each sports facility.
Shallcross said there are plan to add storage and upgrade the press box at the football field.
– By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff