Monmouth County's Shiny New Public Safety Center Opens in Freehold

On Tuesday, Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden and county officials proudly unveiled a new $23.2 Public Safety Center at 2500 Kozloski Road in Freehold that will serve as a hub for emergency services. 

The new 45,000 square foot houses a 9-1-1 center in one wing, where 52 employees take urgent calls for assistance from 45 of the county's 53 towns, Naval Weapons Station Earle, Sandy Hook, Monmouth University and at night for Brookdale Community College. The employees also provide dispatch services for 20 police departments, 56 fire companies and 30 first aid squads. 

In another wing, the large meeting room would serve as a county command center for large scale incidents. The public safety center is designed in a way that allows all county and local first responders to communicate with each other during emergencies. 

Despite the brick and stone exterior, the inside of the structure is light-filled and airy with glass doors, very tall ceilings and steel accents. 

Former Monmouth County Sheriff, and now NJ Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, said it was a model of smart government. "It is the ultimate shared service," she said at the ribbon cutting ceremony. "Not only is it saving lives and saving money, but it's setting an example that shared services work." 

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended today by representatives of nearly every public safety agency in Monmouth County, as well as the Board of Chosen Freeholders. Sheriff Shaun Golden recognized many for their role in building the center. A Public Safety Open House for volunteer first responders is scheduled for May 17.