Ridgewood NJ, Senator Gerald Cardinale (R- Bergen and Passaic) said that the arrest of three sexual assault suspects in Bergen County shows the need for cooperation among local and federal law enforcement agencies.
“A woman was gang-raped by three men Bergen County, while ‘incapacitated and physically helpless.’ This makes me physically ill,” said Cardinale, the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “We need to do everything we can to protect and ensure justice for this helpless victim.”
On February 5th, an adult female victim reported she was gang-raped in Bergen County. An investigation was conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and the East Rutherford Police Department, leading to the arrest of three suspects.The three accused have been charged with Aggravated Sexual Assault and Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have placed detainers on the three men who are believed to be in the country illegally.
According to ICE, detainers are placed on people who have been arrested on local criminal charges and for whom ICE possesses probable cause to believe that they are removable from the United States so that ICE can take custody of the person when he or she is released from local custody.
“It’s clear that the suspects in this horrific sexual assault should not be set free, even if local authorities choose not to keep them in detention until trial. I’m glad that ICE is stepping up to keep these accused rapists off the streets. This horrible tragedy provides a clear example of why we need local, state, and federal law enforcement officials to work together to ensure public safety.”
Governor Murphy has proposed making New Jersey a “sanctuary state,” preventing local law enforcement agencies from coordinating in this fashion.
“Survivors of sexual assault need to know that their perpetrators will be held accountable, and communities need to know that criminals won’t escape justice and end up back on the streets,” added Cardinale. “The Governor’s sanctuary state plan is contrary to those needs. In this case, he’d protect the accused rapists by preventing the coordination need to keep them in custody of law enforcement. That’s not good for the victim, and it’s not good for public safety in New Jersey. While defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty, I hope and pray this victim receives the justice she deserves.”
Hackensack NJ, The Bergen County Sheriff’s Office announced that, effective this week, we have begun offering Vivitrol to eligible inmates as part of our reentry program and specifically to those individual who are struggling with opioid / heroin addiction. The first two participants have already been enrolled and we will be monitoring these individuals to support them and to measure the impact of this initiative.
Vivitrol is an injectable medicine used to block the effects and cravings for both opioids and alcohol for a period of one month. Participants are often prescribed this medication for up to one year in conjunction with out-patient therapy for best results. We are excited to offer this program in partnership with two outstanding local agencies, www.transitionprofessionals.org, and www.cbhcare.com .
Ridgewood NJ, Former Representative Scott Garrett, the New Jersey Republican whose bid to become chairman of the Export-Import Bank failed last year after the Senate Banking Committee rejected his nomination, to lead the agency that Garrett had criticized for corrupt practices and cronyism.
The former Representative has been tapped to work as a senior adviser to Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Jay Clayton, according to unnamed sources at the SEC. While he was a lawmaker, Garrett was also a critic of the SEC after it dropped the ball in 2008 and served as chairman of the House Financial Services subcommittee on capital markets.
Paramus NJ, Paramus Police, EMS, Fire Department, and Rescue Squad personnel responded to aid the entrapped adult female driver of a 4-door passenger sedan involved in a 2-vehicle crash at the intersection of Carl Place and Paramus Road, Paramus on Saturday afternoon, 02/10. Members of Paramus Rescue 7 used the “Jaws of Life” to remove the driver’s side door of the victim’s vehicle in order to free her. She was transported by ambulance to Hackensack University Medical Center’s main campus. A paramedic team from The Valley Hospital assisted Paramus EMS. Both vehicles involved in the crash were removed from the scene by a flatbed tow truck.
Paramus NJ, A five (5) vehicle, Thursday morning, 02/08, crash on Route 17 southbound near West Century Road in Paramus resulted in multiple injuries and snarled traffic on Route 17 in both directions. Paramus Police responded along with Paramus EMS and mutual aid ambulances from The Valley Hospital and Holy Name Medical Center. All five (5) vehicles involved in the collision required tow trucks to remove them from the highway.
Ridgewood NJ, surprisingly there were actually 66 towns in NJ where property taxes actually went DOWN. According to NJ105 radio , while the Village of Ridgewood had a 2.80% property tax increase from 2016 to 2017.The were however 8 towns in Bergen County that lowered property taxes , none of them bordering Ridgewood.
RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE
2017 avg: $17,667
2016 avg:$17,181
Change: 2.80%
Westwood NJ, A pedestrian was struck by a motor vehicle at the intersection of Broadway and Irvington Street, Westwood on Tuesday morning, 02/06. The victim was seriously injured and transported by ambulance to a local hospital. Westwood Police responded along with a BLS ambulance from Hackensack University Medical Center North and an ALS unit from The Valley Hospital.
Hackensack NJ, Alex Cucciniello, the Executive Director of the Organization For Economic Growth commented on Jim Tedesco’s announcement he plans to run again for Bergen County Executive, “Apparently Tedesco supports the senator’s recent churlish behavior as Menendez remained seated and scowling while President Trump delivered a well received State Of The Union speech highlighting the growth in the U.S. Economy and honoring the heroes who have given so much to this country.”
“It is truly troubling that our the current county executive chose to announce his re-election bid in a room filled with state politicians who are out of touch with Bergen County residents. Tedesco’s choice of supporters says a lot about where he stands on the issues – and he apparently stands far to the left – too far for most Bergen County residents.
“The fact that Mr. Tedesco invited U.S. Senator Bob Menendez to be by his side, after Menendez’s his recent federal corruption trial is curious. Apparently Tedesco supports the senator’s recent churlish behavior as Menendez remained seated and scowling while President Trump delivered a well received State Of The Union speech highlighting the growth in the U.S. Economy and honoring the heroes who have given so much to this country.
It is also instructive to see that Tedesco is so overwhelmingly supportive of a governor who wants to make New Jersey a sanctuary state and force taxpayers to fund legal aid for illegal immigrants who are flouting federal law.
Apparently Mr. Tedesco has no intention of fighting for the taxpayers of Bergen County or doing anything to promote business growth.”
Hackensack NJ, the NJ Insider is reporting the Bergen County Republican Chairman Paul DiGaetano will “resign soon, for the good of the party” . This comes after one devastating election loss after another .
The same source said the impending resignation sets up a showdown between last years LD38 senate candidate Kelly Langschultz (a New Milford Councilwoman) and former Hackensack Mayor Jack Zisa to chair the wounded and financially broke party organization.
The failing and broke Bergen GOP has done much to alienate its voter base and continues to look more like a party of Democrat Lite than and real GOP opposition party .With the states finances in disarray , a pension crisis and massive affordable housing being jammed down many towns throats there are ample opportunities for the GOP to strike at the heart of deep blue Bergen County .
Midland Park NJ, the Midland Park Police Department have had several incidents of an unknown person walking their dog in front of the Godwin School and not picking up their dogs fecal matter. If you see someone walking their dog near the Godwin School and they do not remove the dogs fecal matter please call the Midland Park Police Department at 201-444-2300. Thank you!
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
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Midland Park NJ, the Midland Park Police Department report that apparently the Midland Park Borough Tax Office phone number 201-444-1388 has been spoofed and is now being used to sell solar panels. If you see this number on your caller ID simply ignore it. We are assisting the Borough in correcting this issue…..thank you.
Caller ID spoofing is the practice of causing the telephone network to indicate to the receiver of a call that the originator of the call is a station other than the true originating station.
Hackensack NJ, Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo announced the arrests of the following individuals involved in a fraud scheme: TERRANCE HART (D.O.B. 2/22/1989, single, unemployed) of 211 S 8th Lincoln Place, Garfield, New Jersey; RASHAD BLACK (D.O.B. 12/29/1986, single, unemployed) of Hackensack, New Jersey; JAMES MILLER (D.O.B. 06/28/1987, single, unemployed) of Paterson, New Jersey; IVY HERNANDEZ (D.O.B. 4/09/1993, single, unemployed) of 211 Lincoln Place, Garfield, New Jersey; CHRISTIAN REYES (D.O.B. 1/18/1991, single, unemployed) of Secaucus, New Jersey; and TORI BEATO (D.O.B. 12/28/1992, single, unemployed) of 1538 Paterson Plank Road, Secaucus, New Jersey.
The arrests are the result of a cooperative investigation conducted by members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes Unit under the direction of Chief Robert ANZILOTTI, and the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office under the direction of Sheriff Michael SAUDINO.
In September 2017, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes Unit was notified by the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office that Bergen County Jail Annex inmate commissary accounts were being used to receive and transfer illicit funds obtained from stolen credit cards.
A joint investigation revealed that Bergen County Jail inmates Christian REYES, James MILLER, and Rashad BLACK had used their assigned inmate commissary accounts and those of other inmates whom they enlisted, to receive illicit funds obtained through the use of stolen personal identifying information and credit cards. The information and illicit funds, which totaled in excess of $30,000, were transmitted to the suspect accounts via an internet-based commissary account system accessed by co-conspirators Terrance HART, Ivy HERNANDEZ and Tori BEATO, who were not incarcerated. A portion of the illicit funds were used by the inmates, and the remainder was transferred back to the co-conspirators through checks issued, at the inmates’ request through the jail commissary system. As a result of the investigation, other suspected accounts and victim credit cards have been identified.
As a result of the investigation:
Tori BEATO was arrested on Thursday, December 14, 2017 in Paramus, New Jersey and charged with one count of Using a Stolen or Fraudulently Obtained Credit Card, N.J.S.A. 2C:21-6H, a 3rd degree crime; one count of Impersonation, N.J.S.A. 2C:21-17A(1), a 3rd degree crime; and two counts of Conspiracy, N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2, a 3rd degree crime. The complaint was issued as a Summons, and BEATO appeared in Central Judicial Processing Court on January 3, 2018 and was released.
Christian REYES was arrested on Thursday, December 14, 2017 at the Bergen County Jail Annex in Hackensack, New Jersey, and charged with one count of Using a Stolen or Fraudulently Obtained Credit Card, N.J.S.A. 2C:21-6H, a 3rd degree crime; one count of Impersonation, N.J.S.A. 2C:21-17A(1), a 3rd degree crime; and two counts of Conspiracy, N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2, a 3rd degree crime. The complaint was issued as a Warrant and REYES was released on his own recognizance.
Ivy HERNANDEZ was arrested on Tuesday, January 30, 2018 in Paramus, New Jersey and charged with one count of Using a Stolen or Fraudulently Obtained Credit Card, N.J.S.A. 2C:21-6H, a 3rd degree crime; one count of Fraudulent Use, Distribution, Manufacture, and/or Possession of Items Containing the Personal Identification Information of Another (Trafficking in Stolen Identities), ten or more items pertaining to five or more persons, N.J.S.A. 2C:17.3, a 2nd degree crime; one count of Impersonation, N.J.S.A. 2C:21-17A(1), a 3rd degree crime; one count of Financial Facilitation of Criminal Activity (Money Laundering), N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25, a 3rd degree crime; and four counts of Conspiracy, N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2, a 3rd degree crime. The complaint was issued as a Summons, and HERNANDEZ is scheduled to appear in Central Judicial Processing Court at 8:30 a.m. on February 14, 2018.
Rashad BLACK was arrested on Wednesday, January 31, 2018 at the Bergen County Jail Annex in Hackensack, New Jersey and charged with one count of Fraudulent Use, Distribution, Manufacture, and/or Possession of Items Containing the Personal Identification Information of Another (Trafficking in Stolen Identities), ten or more items pertaining to five or more persons, N.J.S.A. 2C:17.3, a 2nd degree crime; one count of Using a Stolen or Fraudulently Obtained Credit Card, N.J.S.A. 2C:21-6H, a 3rd degree crime; one count of Impersonation, N.J.S.A. 2C:21-17A(1), a 3rd degree crime; one count of Financial Facilitation of Criminal Activity (Money Laundering), N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25, a 3rd degree crime; and four counts of Conspiracy, N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2, a 3rd degree crime. The complaint was issued as a Summons, and BLACK is scheduled to appear in Central Judicial Processing Court at 8:30 a.m. on February 14, 2018.
James MILLER was arrested on Wednesday, January 31, 2018 at the Bergen County Jail Annex in Hackensack, New Jersey and charged with one count of Fraudulent Use, Distribution, Manufacture, and/or Possession of Items Containing the Personal Identification Information of Another (Trafficking in Stolen Identities), ten or more items pertaining to five or more persons, N.J.S.A. 2C:17.3, a 2nd degree crime; one count of Using a Stolen or Fraudulently Obtained Credit Card, N.J.S.A. 2C:21-6H, a 3rd degree crime; one count of Impersonation, N.J.S.A. 2C:21-17A(1), a 3rd degree crime; one count of Financial Facilitation of Criminal Activity (Money Laundering), N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25, a 3rd degree crime; and four counts of Conspiracy, N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2, a 3rd degree crime. The complaint was issued as a Summons, and MILLER is scheduled to appear in Central Judicial Processing Court at 8:30 a.m. on February 14, 2018.
Terrance HART was arrested on Friday, February 2, 2018 in Paramus, New Jersey and charged with one count of Fraudulent Use, Distribution, Manufacture, and/or Possession of Items Containing the Personal Identification Information of Another (Trafficking in Stolen Identities), ten of more items pertaining to five or more persons, N.J.S.A. 2C:17.3, a 2nd degree crime; one count of Using a Stolen or Fraudulently Obtained Credit Card, N.J.S.A. 2C:21-6H, a 3rd degree crime; one count of Impersonation, N.J.S.A. 2C:21-17A(1), a 3rd degree crime; one count of Financial Facilitation of Criminal Activity (Money Laundering), N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25, a 3rd degree crime; and four counts of Conspiracy, N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2, a 3rd degree crime. The complaint was issued as a Summons, and HART is scheduled to appear in Central Judicial Processing Court at 8:30 a.m. on February 14, 2018.
Acting Prosecutor Calo states that these charges are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Mahwah NJ, Mahwah settled the “eruv ” lawsuit but local activist look to remove Mayor Laforet.
In a press release from the local group MahwahStrong said ;
The Board of Directors of MahwahStrong has reviewed the settlement agreement announced this evening. The settlement states that the eruv will currently remain in place. The PVC pipes will be painted at the BREA’s cost but Mahwah must pay $10,000 in attorney fees.
Mahwah taxpayers have funded over $200k in legal fees and endured over six months of acrimonious dialogue from within our town government. Throughout this process, MahwahStrong had a positive expectation based on the Town Council’s pledge to protect our community. The settlement put forward falls far short of our expectations.
While we partially fault the council for mismanagement and lack of transparency in managing this issue, MahwahStrong believes the issues revolving around the ERUV were created, approved, undisclosed, and manipulated by Mayor Bill Laforet. He was the first to learn of the intent to install the Eruv. He initially opposed it and then reversed his position. He then faulted the council when it served his political agenda. Among other culpabilities, he is largely responsible for an avalanche of negative press about our community that has damaged our reputation and potentially impacted property values.
In order to correct the dysfunction of our local government, we need to remove the cause of internal division. It is essential that Mayor Laforet be recalled and we stand by our decision to back the recall efforts.
MahwahStrong has been investigating its own legal initiatives which will be discussed at the appropriate point in time.
Paramus NJ, This was a big week for Bergen County hospital news first New Bridge CEO Deborah Visconi, Associate Director of VA New Jersey Health Care System John Griffith, announced that New Bridge Medical Center has been designated a “Veterans Choice” facility by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This is a big day for Bergen County Veterans who as a result of this agreement, veterans will be able to receive procedures and treatment at New Bridge Medical Center that would otherwise require travel to the VA’s East Orange campus. It was well attended by local politico’s including Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco.
Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin , “Under President Trump’s leadership, VA is engaged in the largest transformation and modernization effort in decades. As part of this effort, the department is tackling head-on issues that have lingered for years, including accountability, whistleblower protection, improving transparency and customer service for Veterans and expanding suicide prevention and mental health care services.
As outlined in tonight’s address, VA will have another groundbreaking year in expanding and improving our services for Veterans, particularly when it comes giving them more choices over their health care decisions, and improving yet again on the timeliness of our decisions on Veterans’ benefits.”
Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco also joined Valley Health System to celebrate the opening and to help cut the ribbon of their new medical fitness center, Valley Health Lifestyles, in Mahwah. The facility is designed to help everyone achieve and maintain optimal health and includes many health related services including a pharmacy, urgent care, and on site physicians. We’re proud that our partners in the community, especially in the healthcare sector, share our commitment to investing in the well-being of our residents. This facility is a great addition to northern Bergen County.
GLEN ROCK NJ , Stag House, a full-service barbershop and salon headquartered in Glen Rock, NJ, announced they are partnering with the Bergen County Protect and Rescue Foundation (BC Protect & Rescue), an all-volunteer, non-profit, no-kill shelter, to run a town-wide dog adoption on Saturday, February 3, 2018, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 228 Rock Rd, Glen Rock, NJ.
Bergen County Protect and Rescue is a No-Kill Animal Welfare Facility located in Cliffside Park. It was founded in 2012 by Bergen County’s very own local Animal Control Agency and concerned citizens. The idea of creating a no-kill facility came to be when animal control officers were forced to take lost and abandoned animals to surrounding veterinarians and animal shelters.
Rachel Israel, Stag House Co-Owner adds, “Several of our stylists and barbers, including myself, have adopted pets in our homes, so this is a really special day for Stag House. In addition to the adoptions, our newest Doe.Tique stylist, Vanessa Hettishiemer, will donate 50 percent of her bookings that day for blowouts.”
Stag House prides itself on supporting the community and using local businesses, products and services to promote each other. For more information visit https://www.njstaghouse.com/ or call (201) 670-0110. To donate to BC Protect & Rescue, visit: https://bcrescues.org/donate.html.
