Operation Secure Shred Draws Locals and Other County Residents

Somerset County's 10th free document shredding event for this year reportedly drew more than 100 Bernards residents when it was held on Saturday at the township DPW garage, and roughly half of that number from other Somerset County towns.

Almost everyone who checked in with bags or boxes of personal papers to be professionally shredded told Bernards Committeman John Malay, volunteering to help out, "This is terrific. Thank you very much," he said.

The residents also appreciated that the initiative to help prevent identity theft is funded by a county grant, he said.

The shredding service is open to residents from any Somerset County no matter where the venue is held, Malay noted. 

He said Saturday's event drew multiple residents even Montgomery, North Plainfield and Franklin Township in the southern end of the county. Malay said residents, who may drop off their documents at more than one shred day, seem to show up based on the convenience of the date, as well as the location.

Although Bernards Township, through the initiative of former Mayor Scott Spitzer and Township Clerk, held the first shredding operation about five years ago, Malay said Somerset County since has picked up coordination of the effort.

Even after a number of years, some township residents still show up with boxes and boxes of documents that had been filling their homes for years, Malay observed. He added that some residents returned two or three times last Saturday, bearing more papers to drop off.

The county's 11th, and final shredding operation for 2013 is set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. next Saturday at the Green Brook Twp. Municipal building parking lot, 111 Green Brook Road.