Dear Bedminster Township,

Pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), I respectfully request the following government records:

All body-worn camera footage, dash camera footage, and rear seat camera footage (if applicable) related to the arrest of Jerry L. Weikel Jr. (35 years old, of Bedminster Township) on February 9, 2024.

The incident involved Mr. Weikel allegedly claiming to have a gun to someone’s head, leading to police response at the Mayfield Section of the Hills Condominium Complex.

Responding agencies included Bedminster Township Police Department, Far Hills Boro Police Department, Peapack and Gladstone Police Department, Bernards Township Police Department, and the Somerset County SWAT Team (though arrest occurred prior to SWAT's arrival).

Officer observations included Mr. Weikel appearing at a front door waving what was believed to be a handgun, later determined to be a power tool.

Charges filed included terroristic threats (third-degree), unlawful possession of a weapon (fourth-degree), possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose (third-degree), false public alarms (third-degree), criminal mischief (disorderly persons offense), and resisting arrest (disorderly persons offense).

Please include footage from shortly before, during, and after officers' arrival; all interactions with Mr. Weikel; the display of the object; the breaching of the front door; the arrest; and any transport if applicable. If multiple officers or recording devices were present, please provide footage from each.

If any footage will be withheld or redacted, please notify me in advance, provide a specific explanation for each withholding, and cite the legal basis. Given the strong public interest in transparency and public safety concerning alleged violent threats and police use of force, full disclosure is essential.

I request that any associated fees be waived, as this request is made in the public interest for purposes of transparency and news reporting. However, if fees are necessary, please inform me first before fulfilling the request.

I prefer that all responsive records be delivered electronically via email.

Please confirm receipt of this request. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Yours faithfully,

woodlfilms