By Donald Wittkowski
Jeffrey H. Sutherland was sworn in Thursday as Cape May County’s new prosecutor and immediately vowed to confront the growing opioid crisis that has resulted in more than 30 overdose deaths in the county this year.
Sutherland, 53, an Ocean City resident who has 28 years of experience in private law practice, stressed that his new role as prosecutor is to “pursue and convict the guilty, but at the same time recognize the rights of the innocent.”
“I recognize the gravity of the position and that the prosecutor is the face of law enforcement in the county,” he said in remarks during his swearing-in ceremony at the Historic Cape May County Court House.
Acknowledging the challenges faced by law enforcement while fighting the opioid epidemic, he pledged that he and his staff will have a highly visible presence in the community and the schools to address the dangers of substance abuse.
“Law enforcement, by nature, is dangerous, and law enforcement officers are now faced with the opioid and heroin epidemic that makes them law enforcers, counselors and medics at the same time,” he told an audience of more than 100 people.
In an interview after the ceremony, Sutherland emphasized that the county has been making strides with its education and prevention programs for drug abusers. Simply throwing drug abusers in jail as punishment should be the last resort, he noted.
“I believe the programs already in place are moving in a positive direction,” he said. “If we can address addiction before it moves into the criminal element, then we will help the community and reduce crime.”
Sutherland steps in at a time when overdoses and drug deaths are on the rise. Paul Skill, chief of detectives in the prosecutor’s office, said there have been 195 overdoses and 32 drug deaths so far this year in Cape May County. In 2016, there were 121 overdoses and 14 drug deaths.
Skill blamed the availability of the opioid Fentanyl – which is stronger than heroin – for the spike in drug overdoses.
“You can order it online from a lab in China,” Skill said of the ease of obtaining Fentanyl. “People can state their credit card number and address and get it.”
Skill said agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Postal Service have been trying to crack down on the shipments of Fentanyl from China.
Joining a trend among law enforcement agencies nationwide, all of Cape May County’s police departments are now using Narcan, an antidote for drug overdose. Skill said Narcan has been used 94 times in the county this year to save overdose victims, compared to 68 times in 2016.
Underscoring his intention to focus on the opioid crisis, Sutherland chose state Superior Court Judge Mark Sandson to swear him into office. Sandson, an advocate for drug treatment, oversees the Drug Court for Atlantic and Cape May counties.
The Cape May County Board of Freeholders recently authorized an approximately $4.7 million contract to complete the construction of the long-empty third floor of the county courthouse into more courtroom space for drug cases. The county’s drug court includes programs to help addicts get treatment and stay out of trouble.
Sandson, who has been a judge in both civil and criminal court, said Sutherland impressed him during the times he appeared in his courtroom to argue cases. He said Sutherland possesses the skills needed to handle the complexities and responsibilities of the prosecutor’s office.
“He’s an extremely intelligent, capable lawyer,” said Sandson, while also praising Sutherland’s qualities as a person.
Sutherland was joined by members of his family, including his wife, Yolanda, for his swearing in. He also has two children, Charlie, 25, and Lauren, 21. Becoming emotional while thanking his family for their support, he called his wife the “heart and rock” of the family.
Sutherland brings high-level political credentials with him to his new job as county prosecutor. He is also chairman of the Cape May County Democratic Party. State Sen. Jeff Van Drew, D-Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic, recommended Sutherland’s appointment to Gov. Chris Christie.
William Causey, a leader in the county Democratic Party who has known Sutherland for 10 years, expressed confidence in Sutherland’s ability to lead the prosecutor’s office.
“He has good leadership, he’s a good organizer and he’s good with people,” Causey said.
Sutherland replaces former Cape May County Prosecutor Robert Taylor, who retired this year. After taking the oath of office, Sutherland praised Taylor, as well as the assistant prosecutors, county detectives and other staffers in the office that he has inherited. He called them his new “work family.”
“I’m honored and humbled to know that all of you are going to be my work family and my collective conscience to guide me to make the decisions necessary to continue your good work in making the county safe for all of our citizens,” Sutherland said.
