Vigilant citizen thwarts attack, new crime fighting tool | Cheers and Jeers

Every Saturday, the South Jersey Times cheers those who make our area a better place in which to live and jeers those whose actions merit derision.

Every Saturday, the South Jersey Times cheers those who make our area a better place in which to live and jeers those whose actions merit derision.

CHEERS to a vigilant citizen. Last weekend's tragic terror attacks in Paris apparently prompted a Texas man to post on social media that he was going to "shoot up a mosque." A New Jersey resident saw the post and alerted Gloucester Township police, who contacted authorities in Texas. If an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind, let's say something while we can still see something. There's no way of preventing every attempt at domestic terrorism, but proactive approaches like this one keep innocent blood from being shed.

JEERS to getting taken for a sleigh ride. Although the Cherry Hill Mall reversed plans to charge a minimum of $35 for their "Adventure to Santa" experience, is this not the epitome of the commercialization of Christmas? What's more, the only reason the prices became the hot topic of holiday debate was because parents complained about them. Don't like it? Don't pay for it. Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus and wallet-sized keepsakes shouldn't cost mommy and daddy $75. You'll understand when you're older.

CHEERS: To using the latest in technology as a crime-fighting tool. On Wednesday Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae announced the expansion of the ability of county residents to text crime tips directly to police. The new CCPOTIP app allows tips -- anonymous if the tipster wants it that way -- to be sent from smartphones to not only the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office, but authorities from the Sheriff's Office, the Bridgeton Police Department, Millville Police Department, Vineland Police Department and New Jersey State Police at both the Bridgeton and Port Norris stations. That's police that cover the entire county. While Bridgeton and Vineland both employed the tip system for about the past three years, the new enhanced system will also allow videos and still photographs to be sent directly to police agencies.

JEERS: To news that a West Deptford-based company will be the latest to resettle in Camden, thanks to amazing tax incentives from the state Department of Economic Development. We realize Camden needs every boost it can get, but how will poaching nearby businesses help the region in the long-term? The pattern seems to go like this when it comes to businesses already in New Jersey: "We need the tax incentives if we are to remain in the New Jersey, so give us all you can or we're moving out of state." in response, the EDA is all too willing to oblige. In the case of West Deptford's IPAK, the EDA has approved $17.1 million in tax breaks over 10 years to ensure 114 jobs don't leave the Garden State. Can towns surrounding Camden expect this to become a regular occurrence as businesses are lured a short distance away with a giant carrot? This doesn't seem like a healthy path for South Jersey.

CHEERS: To keeping it local. Gloucester County has launched its annual "Shop, Dine, Go Local" campaign, encouraging residents to spend more of their money at local businesses. While the program is targeted around the holiday shopping season, the message is one organizers want residents to think about all year long. The money you spend at a locally owned business goes a long way, since it pays salaries of local residents, supports families working hard to maintain local establishments and fuels the local economy. Sure, it's easy to sit at the computer and do all of your shopping and hit the drive-thru when you want a burger, but don't forget to check out the local guys. You could find some great deals and great meals along the way, and you'll have the satisfaction of knowing that you're helping support your neighbors at the same time.

JEERS: To crossing the line. Woodstown physician Paul George Bussey has agreed to temporarily surrender his medical license after allegedly engaging in sex with a longtime patient who he was treating for mental issues, according the state Attorney Generals Office. The state Board of Medical Examiners still has more to review in Bussey's case, but the allegations are shocking especially for someone involved in a local family medical practice.