Gloucester Twp. Patch's Most-Read Stories in 2012

With the year coming to a close, we’re taking a look back at the most-read stories in 2012 on Gloucester Township Patch.

Looking at the top 10, readers clearly care a lot about police news in town. All of the top 10 stories involve some police angle, and include charges against three Triton teachers, an on-duty cop allegedly buying illegal prescription drugs and more.

Here are the most-read stories from Gloucester Township Patch in 2012:

10.  

Three Gloucester Township police officers were shot the morning of Dec. 28 inside the police station by a prisoner who had been arrested hours earlier on a stalking charge. The gunman, 39-year-old Eddie Jones III, was shot and killed by two of the officers, authorities said. Originally published Dec. 28

9. 

In our first story with extensive details on the Triton teacher-student sex charges, we quoted a very blunt Camden County Prosecutor Warren Faulk: "It's obvious there existed a culture at Triton High School whereby teachers thought they could get away with the relationships with their students, and administrators turned a blind eye to evidence of these relationships' existence." Originally published Oct. 5

8. Blackwood Man Arrested as Part of Family Drug Ring

This is the wrong kind of family business, police alleged. A father and his son and daughter reportedly ran a drug ring that featured Colombian cocaine, oxycodone, marijuana, and hallucinogenic mushrooms. One suspect didn’t go down quietly, leading police on a foot chase and allegedly protecting a drug distribution point with booby traps. Originally published Dec. 1

7. Jason Handy Sentenced for Taxi Assaults

He went free for years, but DNA technology eventually caught up with Jason Handy. The Blackwood man subjected two female cab drivers to terrifying knifepoint assaults, stuffing one in her car’s trunk and abandoning her in Camden, still in the trunk. He was sentenced in November for the 2006 assaults. Originally published Nov. 30

6. Goddard School Forced to Close When A/C Units Stolen

It’s chilly now, but remember how steamy hot it was this summer? Thieves helped ruin a fun day for 90 kids by stealing an air conditioner from the Chews Landing Road Goddard School this summer. Originally published June 21

5. Assemblyman Moriarty Arrested on DWI Charge; Legislator Denies Charge

A drunken driving charge against Gloucester Township’s state assemblyman, Paul Moriarty (D), quickly turned into a case of he said, he said with the arresting officer, Joseph DiBuonaventura. Moriarty later filed charges against DiBuonaventura, whom the assemblyman says targeted him. The officer was charged with official misconduct and more, and is now suspended without pay; charges against Moriarty are pending. Originally published Aug. 1

4. Mullen Middle Student Charged in 'Sexting' Case

The middle-schooler reportedly sent out an explicit text of his ex-girlfriend, prompting charges against him and a stern warning from school administrators to delete the photo. Originally published Oct. 17

3. School District Hires PR Firm in Wake of Triton Sex Scandal

Black Horse Pike Regional School District hired a Philadelphia public-relations firm to handle the "media barrage" officials knew was coming as five educators were charged in connection with a teacher-student sex scandal at Triton Regional High School. Originally published Oct. 6

2. Three Officers Shot at Gloucester Township Police Station

This was our first report after three Gloucester Township police officers were injured—one seriously—early on Dec. 28 when a gunman, who was shot and killed at the scene, allegedly attacked and disarmed one of the officers inside the police station. Originally published Dec. 28

1. 

News that three teachers allegedly had inappropriate sexual contact with students—and that two administrators knew, and covered it up—drew readers’ ire and attention. This was by far our most-read story of the year. In the wake of the charges, the school district hired a PR firm and questions about how long the suspended educators would continue to get paid swirled. Rest assured, we’ll continue to follow this case as it unfolds in 2013. Originally published Oct. 4

Thanks for joining Gloucester Township Patch in 2012. We have exciting things coming to the site in 2013. Don’t forget you can always reach us at gloucestertownship@patch.com. Your story could be on the next most-read list.

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