47 syringes found on Ventnor beachfront

VENTNOR, N.J. - Forty-seven syringes, believed to be medical waste that was improperly disposed of, were found Monday on the beachfront between Cambridge and Dorset Avenues after an initial discovery by an early-morning jogger, according to police.

The hypodermic needles were not thought to have washed in from the ocean before landing on the bulkhead and dune areas and on the Boardwalk, Ventnor Police Lt. Howard Bloom said Monday afternoon.

After a search of the area by police, the Atlantic County Health Department judged the beach safe to remain open.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the source of the syringes, Bloom said.

Through serial numbers found on some of the discarded waste, investigators successfully linked a massive wash-up three years ago to a Main Line dentist who dumped used needles and other medical waste from his practice in the water off Avalon just before Labor Day 2008. The discoveries closed beaches and caused panic up and down the Jersey Shore for more than a week.

Thomas W. McFarland, 62, of Wynnewood, pleaded guilty in March 2010 to a downgraded charge of unlawfully discharging pollutants and paid a $100,000 fine without serving jail time.

Ventnor police have asked anyone with information about Monday's discovery to contact them at 609-822-2101.