180 Turning Lives Around, in collaboration with the Hazlet Police Departement, has a team of specially trained volunteer advocates available to meet confidentially with domest violence victimes at police headquarters 24 hours a day. The volunteers work in conjunction with the police to provide support, information, referrals and a safety plan for the victim and family.

The advocates also advise victims of their legal rights in regard to obtaining a Temporary Restraining Order. The Domestic Violence Response Team (DVRT) went into service January 1, 2006, The volunteer advocates, who attended a 40-hour DVRT certification course, are civilian members of the community. For information about the DVRT or to train to be a volunteer advocate, please contact Lieutenant Robert Dispenza at 732-264-6565.For thirty years, 180 Turning Lives Around, a private non-profit organization has been dedicated to providing shelter, counseling, protection, support, prevention, education and advocacy for residents of Monmouth County who are affected by domestic violence and sexual assault. If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence all the 180 hotline at 732-264-4111. In an emergency dial 911.

The program is taught by our own Detective Jerry Burgos and his long time friend, Detective Sergeant John Merced of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office. Both are long time practitioners of martial arts and certified police instructors.

The program which started ten years ago by the two who volunteer their time, had its humble beginning in a hall at their church in Keyport. It has since gained some popularity and has grown amongst members of the community who look forward to attending each year. The program is now held at the Cullen Center on Union Ave in Hazlet.  When asked about the course, Detective Burgos said, “Its our goal to provide a realistic training program for women in order to instill the necessary confidence to survive an attack utilizing first avoidance and secondly if needed hands on self defense strikes”. Sergeant Merced said, “I love to see the progression each week where the attendants start out tame and by the sixth week they are ready to do what is necessary to keep themselves alive should they be physically attacked”. The program is normally given each year beginning sometime in October and is advertised in the local newspaper as well as the P.B.A’s website.

Anyone needing additional information is asked to contact Detective Jerry Burgos at (732)-264-6565 Ext. 110

Kid Print is a program conducted by the PBA that finger prints children to better assist law enforcement, should a child become a missing person.