The Jersey Devil Homecoming is a Halloween event that celebrates the mythical creature’s connection to Bordentown, including its encounter with city resident and former Spanish king Jospeh Bonaparte, visit to the city during its infamous 1907 weeklong reign of terror, and alleged connection to a city house.

The program features presentations by writers Dave Hart, Tony DiGerolamo, and Dan Aubrey and complements the Bordentown Walking Haunted History Tours.

Hart is the Ewing-based co-author of the 2005 novel “Mystery of the Jersey Devil.” Hart, a descendent of New Jersey Declaration of Independence Signer John Hart, and writing partner John Calu’s other works include “Adventures Along the Jersey Shore,” “Trenton: A Novel,” and “Spirits of Cedar of Cedar Bridge.”

DiGerolamo is the creator of the comedy/horror book series called “The Pineys,” about a family of hunters that hunts the kin of the Jersey Devil. He is a standup comedian and writer who has contributed to The Simpsons comic books; “Politically Incorrect” with Bill Maher; and a variety of books, comics, and games. The Camden County resident frequently speaks on “How to Hunt the Jersey Devil.”

Aubrey is a writer who has written for New Jersey newspapers, New Jersey and Philadelphia museums, and regional stages. The Bordentown resident has also written and lectured on the Jersey Devil and regional ghost stories.

Haunted History Tours are being offered at various times on Oct. 25. For more information, visit bordentownwalkingtours.com.

The “Jersey Devil Homecoming” is set for Oct. 25, 7 p.m., Old City Hall, 13 Crosswicks Street, Bordentown. Donation request admission.

For more information, go to www.facebook.com/OldCityHallRestoration/

By Albert J. Countryman Jr.

Back in March 2004, the first River Line passenger trains rolled down the tracks from Trenton to Camden, with stops in towns along the Delaware River like Palmyra, Riverton, Cinnaminson and Bordentown.

It’s been a benefit for people having to get to work each day, but local police chiefs have recently noticed an increase in drug use, vagrancy and property theft at the line’s stations, much of it by people from other towns.

“The River Line is an important transportation asset, but it can create some unique challenges,” Burlington County Commissioner Allison Eckel said during a press conference on Aug. 26 near the Riverton station that announced county sheriff’s officers are helping to patrol areas near stations and even transport suspects to the county jail.

“Thanks for listening to us and the Riverton community,” noted Riverton Police Chief Andrew S. Beuschel Jr., adding that transients in the area are stealing packages from people’s porches and shoplifting at local stores. “There has been an influx of crime, vagrancy and drug use and our resources are strained.

“Since COVID, things have changed,” continued Beuschel, who noted that lawbreakers consider Riverton “a target-rich environment.”

“There has been an increase in the number of incidents since the cleanup of Kensington has displaced many of those in the throes of addiction,” explained Bordentown City Police Chief Shaun Lafferty, president of the county’s Association of Police Chiefs. He was referring to the long-troubled Philadelphia neighborhood that has been ravaged by the opioid epidemic.

“This marks the beginning of an important partnership that will grow to meet the needs of our communities,” Lafferty noted of the River Line patrols. “The additional resources will assist in providing much-needed attention to these areas and will send a strong message to commuters, residents and businesses that we take their safety and security seriously.”

“There have been growing concerns with crime along the River Line train stations,” remarked county Sheriff James Kostoplis, emphasizing that officers will help local police patrol the line’s “high-priority zones.”

To assist the effort, local officers assigned to the special detail will also provide efficient prisoner transport to Burlington County Jail in Mount Holly when requested, according to Kostoplis. That will free up local officers so they can devote additional time to patrols, investigations and community policing in their jurisdictions.

The special sheriff’s details started earlier this month and are being funded with a $150,000 legislative funding grant secured by State Sen. Troy Singleton – whose idea for the initiative originated after he met with Beuschel – and Assemblywoman Andrea Katz.

On a somber note, Singleton referred at the announcement to the tragic accident that took the life of 15-year-old Matthew James Dickinson on Aug. 8. He was crossing the tracks at the intersection of Chestnut and Broad streets to get to soccer practice when he was struck by a northbound River Line train headed toward Palmyra.

“I know the Dickinson family well from soccer,” offered Singleton. “I know the heartbreak they are feeling.”

The senator said the partnership with Kostoplis, the Police Chiefs Association and county commissioners will improve public safety, deter crime, and assist local police departments up and down the River Line communities.

“The River Line is the one of the only mass transit systems in South Jersey,” Singleton emphasized, “and we want to make sure those who ride it can do so safely without fear or concern, and the towns it runs through are secure as well.”

There are 11 River Line stations in Burlington County and special patrols and prisoner transport assistance will occur in the following: Bordentown City, Bordentown Township, Florence, Burlington City, Burlington Township, Beverly, Delanco, Edgewater Park, Delran, Riverside, Riverton, Cinnaminson and Palmyra.

Dr. Richard Veit, professor of anthropology at Monmouth University, will speak from 2-3 p.m., July 14, at the center, 101 Park St. The event celebrates Bastille Day and the French connection of the Bonaparte family to Point Breeze. Veit has conducted multiple archeological digs around the Point Breeze property and will be talking about his findings as well as the history of the estate.

Veit is a historian with a deep interest in New Jersey archeology, who enthralls audiences with his descriptions of what took place on the land hundreds of years ago.  He is a member of the Archaeological Society of New Jersey and has worked on multiple historical projects around the state. Through archeological digs at Point Breeze, Veit has uncovered artifacts from the time of Lenape hunters and fishers through the 20th century. At the Bastille Day event, attendees will learn about the different artifacts found as he weaves together the stories of two archeological digs that connect Point Breeze in Bordentown to France through the Bonaparte family.

Point Breeze was home to Joseph Bonaparte, Napoleon’s brother and exiled King of Spain, from 1816 to 1839. Bonaparte fled Europe after his brother was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo and eventually settled in New Jersey. At one point, Bonaparte owned around 2,200 acres in and around Bordentown City. Veit, in partnership with the Divine Word Missionaries and D&R Greenway Land Trust, conducted excavations around the site of Bonaparte’s first mansion and behind the gardener’s house that is now open to the public, exhuming artifacts, some of which are on display at the Discovery Center.

“I’m very excited to host Dr. Veit and learn the story behind his discoveries,” said Melanie Mead, the manager at the Discovery Center at Point Breeze. “This will be a special day when attendees can both hear about and see artifacts from Joseph Bonaparte’s first mansion, that was destroyed by fire in 1820.”

The Discovery Center at Point Breeze, which is managed by D&R Greenway Land Trust, was the historic home of h Bonaparte’s gardener. It is believed that Bonaparte stayed in the house after the fire and while his second mansion was being built.  The house has been converted into a museum with exhibits including the Crown Jewels Gallery, an exhibit on the Lenape Nation, archeological displays, and a natural history room. The air-conditioned museum is open every week from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday through Monday. Those who wish to tour the museum before or after the reading event are encouraged to do so.

The event is free to the public however registration and a $10 donation is greatly appreciated. Please visit www.drgreenway.org for more information and register through info@drgreenway.org or (609) 924-4646.