South Jersey residents upset after learning shooting range went up in their neighborhood
SOUTH JERSEY (WTXF) - UPDATE: Following our report, an Evesham Township official says the sportsman hunting association that set up operations in a wooded area in Evesham and Voorhees Township worrying neighbors will not continue in that area and will pull equipment.
*Original report
To say that some neighbors in South Jersey are upset over what's going on in their woods would be an understatement.
Jeanette says she's worried about the sudden signs that popped up near her Voorhees Township-area home--blocking off land for hunters--warning people of criminal prosecution if they trespass.
The bigger fear is that someone could accidentally get shot.
"I know that a lot of our neighbors walk through the pathway and they go through and there's always a possibility of something could go wrong."
She is one of dozens who packed into a neighborhood association meeting of the Sturbridge Lakes area developments looking for answers after the signs went up--courtesy of the Kettle Run Sportsmen Association. Many feel the hunting is too close to families along parts of Evesham and Voorhees Townships.
"I don't know if they really need to be hunting back there," said Edward Ferruggia, president of the neighborhood association.
"I'm a hunter myself but I would not choose to hunt this close to a residential area because the mixed use of hunting and kids and dogs in people's back yards can create some hazards," he added. Ferruggia also said he thinks the hunting club is ultimately trying to develop specific spots of land. We contacted the hunters association for comment but did not hear back.
In meantime, Voorhees Township says there is some action they can take to curb the risks.
"On our land we can certainly make sure that folks aren't parking in Sturbridge Lakes and getting to the hunting land. Especially, if they are carrying guns with them. We certainly don't want to have that," said Voorhees Township Committee member Mike Friedman.