Washington Twp NJ, An inexperienced tractor trailer driver was unable to negotiate a steep portion of Washington Avenue west of Van Emburgh Avenue in Washington Township on Tuesday afternoon, 12/12 and lost control of the rig while trying to back down the hill. Washington Township Police responded and issued multiple summonses to the driver and impounded the rig for being unregistered and uninsured. A heavy duty tow truck driver freed the rig from its predicament before towing it to the impound yard. No one was injured in the incident.
Trenton NJ, In an historic moment for the Garden State, Governor-elect Phil Murphy this morning formally nominated Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir Grewal, a Sikh American to serve as the state’s next attorney general.
“Our state needs someone with a steel backbone who will stand up to President Trump to protect the values of our state and all 9 million of our residents,” Murphy told reporters at a Statehouse press conference, standing beside Grewal, who is poised to become the first South Asian attorney general in New Jersey history and the first Sikh to serve as an attorney general in American history.
Grewal is a Georgetown University grad, who attended law school at the College of William and Mary, and built his career in the U.S. Attorney’s Office and as Bergen County Prosecutor, where he oversees 3,000 law enforcement officers and 70 municipalities.
“We are turning the page in New Jersey and I am honored to have Gurbir. There should be no mistake. He is a proud son of immigrants. His story is the American story,” said the Governor-elect.
Murphy is clearly trying to make a point based on the race , the Ridgewood blog thinks Murphy blinded by politics may have gotten more than he bargained for . Grewal a Democrat who was appointed by Republican Chris Christie . The Democrats delayed the confirmation of Grewal for some time . It seems Grewal is pretty much a straight shooter unlike his political motivated predecessor and would not play ball for the usual Democrat talking points .
While Murphy bills Grewal as the point man against President Donald Trump , most experts think Trump policies are the lest of the Governor elect’s list of things to be worrying about . The states apocalyptic financial situation, depleted tax base , massive unfunded pension liabilities and a huge level of illegal aliens living in the state have most Trenton watchers placing bets as to date for the total collapse of New Jersey finances
photo courtesy of the Bergen County Prosecutors Office and the Glen Rock Police
December 12,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Glen Rock NJ,Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir Grewal discussed the sharp rise in drug related deaths in the U.S. since the 1990s at a town hall meeting in Glen Rock last week.
“Last year, hardly a day went by in Bergen County without a heroin arrest, an overdose, or a Narcan save…there’s just more work to do.” – Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal
The presentation is available here: https://vimeo.com/246359764
Overprescribing of opioids causing unintentional overdoses and early death:
91 Americans die each day from an opioid overdose. US providers wrote nearly 250,000,000 million opioid prescriptions in 2013—enough for every adult to have their own bottle of pills. The majority of drug overdose deaths (more 60%) involve an opioid. Since 1999, the number of overdose deaths involving opioids (including prescription opioids and heroin) quadrupled. From 2000 to 2015, 500,000+ people died from drug overdoses. Prescription opioids are used to treat moderate-to-severe pain; in recent years, their use has increased dramatically, despite serious risks and lack of evidence of their long-term effectiveness.
You’ll see remarks from County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal and two survivors of opioid addiction …a recovering addict and his mother. Prosecutor Grewal provided detailed remarks and information about the heroin crisis in Bergen County to citizens from Glen Rock who assembled at the town hall last week.
From the distribution of this dangerous narcotic, to warning signs, and to the county’s unique plan of prevention, enforcement, and treatment, Prosecutor Grewal left attendees with lots of food for thought.
In conjunction with Glen Rock, New Jersey officials, the Glen Rock Police Department – NJ, The Center for Alcohol and Drug Resources, and others, this event was one of many public education initiatives conducted by the BCPO. #StopTheODs
Fair lawn NJ, Fair Lawn Police, Fire, EMS, and Heavy Rescue Squad units all responded to a rollover truck crash in front of 12-15 Saddle River Road, Fair Lawn on Monday morning, 12/11. Two (2) occupants of the truck were transported by ambulance to The Valley Hospital with non life threatening injuries. At least one (1) utility pole was destroyed in connection with the incident.
Linden NJ, A New Jersey state trooper was sentenced today on charges that he tampered with evidence and falsified records to cover up the fact that he conducted improper stops of female drivers in order to view the private contents of their cell phones and proposition them to meet him socially.
Marquice Prather, 38, of Linden, N.J., was sentenced to three years of probation by Superior Court Judge Benjamin S. Bucca in Middlesex County. He was ordered to perform 50 hours of community service and pay a $5,000 fine. The judge also ordered that Prather have no contact with his victims. Prather pleaded guilty on Sept. 11 to charges of third-degree invasion of privacy, fourth-degree tampering with physical evidence, and fourth-degree falsifying or tampering with records. He forfeited his job as a state trooper and is permanently barred from public office and employment.
Deputy Attorneys General Brian Faulk, Jonathan Gilmore and Charles Wright prosecuted the case for the Division of Criminal Justice Corruption Bureau.
The New Jersey State Police Office of Professional Standards investigated numerous incidents involving Prather that reflected a pattern of pulling over women, ranging in age from 18 to 42, and soliciting them to go on a date with him or give him their phone numbers. The investigation revealed the following conduct, for which he pleaded guilty to the three charges:
Prather requested and searched the cell phones of numerous female drivers without justification, after asking the women to unlock the phones. He looked through personal information and images on the phones and, in some cases, reproduced intimate photos and videos of the women.
Prather disposed of suspected marijuana that he seized from the vehicle of a female motorist.
Prather falsely reported the gender of drivers he pulled over to disguise the fact that he stopped a high number of females.
Several women initially came forward to file complaints against Prather about improper conduct. A number of other women subsequently gave statements outlining similar conduct after they were contacted by investigators who were auditing Prather’s patrol activities. Prather was suspended without pay by the State Police after his arrest on Dec. 9, 2016.
Paramus NJ, on Thursday night Paramus officials rejected a proposal to build a mutifamily housing development near New Bridge Medical Center. The Paramus Zoning Board of Adjustment unanimously denied Highview Homes’ application to build a 35-unit development on a nearly 2-acre lot on Sorbello Road. The Red Bank-based applicant sought multiple variances, including for multifamily use and height.
According to the “We Are Paramus ” Facebook page , “Great job by the zoning board for hearing the voice of 3,711 residents that voted to stop high density housing in our borough. Thank you for putting the residents first and not the over developing machine!” Others argued that , “This vote is a direct result of the master plan which was passed well before this years election.”
Lodi NJ, Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino and the Division of Alcohol Beverage Control have ordered the liquor licenses of two North Jersey “gentleman’s clubs” to be sold or transferred to a bona fide third party by January 3, 2018, because of alleged noncompliance with a previous Consent Order.
The two clubs, Satin Dolls in Lodi and A.J.’s Gentleman’s Club in Secaucus, have until December 17, 2017 to cease providing live entertainment. The Satin Dolls club served as the fictional “Bada Bing” in the HBO television series “The Sopranos.” If live entertainment is provided after that date, the licenses will be suspended immediately and the owners will be subject to potential disciplinary charges.
The two clubs and their owners have been the subject of investigation and legal proceedings initiated by the Division for more than six years, during which the owners, various members of the Cardinalle family, sought to retain ownership of the licenses and continue to operate the businesses.
The Division has alleged that Anthony Cardinalle, who was criminally disqualified from maintaining involvement with the clubs’ operations, nonetheless continued to run the businesses. The Division also alleges that the owners failed to account for large amounts of cash flowing in and out of the businesses.
Under an order signed by Director David P. Rible on November 20, 2017, the Cardinalles’ involvement with the clubs must end.
“The Cardinalles may have wanted to keep the business in the family, but that’s not how it works. Their continued flouting of Alcoholic Beverage Control laws cannot and will not be tolerated,” said Attorney General Porrino. “Illegal activity was glorified at the ‘Bada Bing’ in the fictional world of Tony Soprano, but it has no place in modern-day New Jersey It’s time to shut it down.”
In 2011, a Consent Order with the companies Route 17 Entertainment Inc. (Satin Dolls) and Sea-Card Enterprises Inc. (A.J’s Gentleman’s Club) mandated that Luceen Cardinalle, the wife of Anthony who was listed as the sole shareholder of both corporations, turn over the licenses to her daughter, Loren Cardinalle. The Cardinalles were ordered to pay $1.25 million in penalties as a compromise in lieu of revocation of both licenses, and Loren Cardinalle was ordered to transfer both licenses to a bona fide third party by December 31, 2015.
“The holding of licenses to sell and serve alcohol is contingent upon the owners’ behaving in a reputable manner,” said Director Rible. “The Cardinalles, quite simply, have not played by the rules despite many opportunities to correct their behavior, and it’s time to get them out of the alcohol business once and for all.”
Anthony Cardinalle pled guilty in 1995 to federal income tax evasion for not reporting cash payments from “gentleman’s clubs” in which he held undisclosed interests. During the Division’s investigation, evidence was uncovered that Anthony Cardinalle was still actively involved with running the clubs.
Anthony Cardinalle was subsequently indicted by the federal government in January 2013 for participating in a conspiracy by the Genovese crime family related to the waste-disposal industry in New Jersey and New York. He pled guilty in December 2013 to racketeering conspiracy and conspiracy to commit extortion and was ordered to spend 30 days in jail and pay a fine and restitution.
As the 2015 Consent Order deadline approached, Loren Cardinalle asked the Division for permission to continue to hold the licenses. A series of extensions were granted, with the latest deadline set for September 28, 2017. After further investigation, the Division issued a Notice of Charges for criminal solicitation for prostitution and lewd activity on the licensed premises in May 2017. Those charges remain pending.
The Division continues to allege that Anthony Cardinalle is involved with the operation of the clubs, citing the following as evidence:
The Lodi Police Department advised the Division that Anthony Cardinalle has been the contact person for issues with the Satin Dolls license.
When police were called to the club because of a report of an attempted burglary, Anthony Cardinalle was the club representative dealing with the matter.
The Attorney General thanked the Division’s Investigation Unit for its work on this matter.
Ridgewood NJ, UPDATE: Beginning January 1, 2018, Ho-Ho-Kus Police will undertake an enforcement campaign at the Glenwood Road grade crossing that targets unlawful truck traffic and drivers executing illegal U-turns. The enforcement campaign is expected to last six (6) months. After completion of the targeted enforcement campaign, there will be a three (3) month review period. NJDOT will render a decision as to the future of the Glenwood Road grade crossing following the review period.
Hackensack NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal announced the arrest of MOHAMAD KHALAIFEH (DOB: 8/13/1981; single; and unemployed) of 386 Getty Avenue, Apt 3, Paterson, New Jersey on Identity Theft and Tampering with Public Records charges. The arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes Unit under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti.
In September 2017, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office received information from New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission representatives who had identified KHALAIFEH as an individual who had provided the personal identifying information and documents of another person to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission in order to obtain a New Jersey driver’s license. The fraud was identified as a result of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission’s ongoing anti-fraud initiative.
Upon receipt of the information, detectives conducted an investigation which revealed that KHALAIFEH had, in fact, received a New Jersey driver’s license as a result of fraud.
On December 4, 2017, KHALAIFEH was arrested at his residence in Paterson, New Jersey, and charged with one count of Obtaining a New Jersey Driver’s License/ Identification by Knowingly Displaying or Uttering the Personal Identifying Information and Documents of Another, N.J.S.A. 2C:21-17.2a, a 2nd degree crime; and one count of Tampering with Public Records with the Intent to Defraud, N.J.S.A. 2C:28-7a(2), a 3rd degree crime. KHALAIFEH was charged by way of a criminal complaint summons and was released pending his first appearance in Bergen County Central Judicial Court on Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at 8:30 a.m.
Prosecutor Grewal states that these charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt
Ridgewood NJ, New Jersey continues to suffer long term brain drain . Millennials it seems can’t get out of New Jersey fast enough. From 2000 to 2013, the number of 22-to-34-year-olds living in New Jersey fell by 2.3 percent, according to Census data, even while the number of people in this age bracket increased by 6.8 percent nationally during the same timeframe. According to a calculation by Governing using Census estimates, New Jersey now ranks 47th out of 50 states and Washington, D.C., for its percentage of Millennials in 2012.
Why do so many young people flee the Garden State? The smart-growth nonprofit New Jersey Future considered this demographic trend in a report released in September. The report measured New Jersey’s municipalities on three smart growth metrics: walkability and street connectivity; the presence of a mixed-use center; and net activity density (defined as population plus employment, divided by developed square miles).
Unsurprisingly, New Jersey’s Millennials are just like Millennials everywhere else: They gravitate toward dense, mixed-use, walkable areas. Across the 118 places that scored well on all three smart-growth metrics, Millennials are 25 percent more prevalent than they are statewide. Conversely, they are 19 percent less likely than the general New Jersey population to live in the places that scored badly on all three metrics.
S it appears the lack of Millennial-friendly environments. Of the state’s 565 municipalities, only 183 scored well on two or all three smart-growth metrics, and according to the study, only 111 of those places are popular with Millennials. This imbalance may increase competition for housing in those high-scoring municipalities, pushing rent prices higher and Millennials out of those neighborhoods where they want to live most.
There are a number of other indicators that New Jersey’s Millennials are struggling with as well and like other generations its finding affordable housing . 47 percent of Millennials now live with their parents. Giving New Jersey the highest rate in the country of 18-to-34-year-olds living with their parents. Nationally, the number is just 33 percent, and in nearby Pennsylvania, it’s 37 percent.
Paramus NJ, Paramus Police took the adult male driver of a white Jeep Cherokee into custody in connection with a Tuesday evening, 12/05 hit and run crash that had reportedly taken place at the intersection of Paramus Road and West Midland Avenue, Paramus. The driver and his wrecked vehicle were located by a Paramus Police patrol officer on Eastside Avenue in Ridgewood. A field sobriety test was given to the driver before he was taken into custody. Ridgewood Police assisted in the arrest. The Jeep was towed from the scene and impounded by Paramus Police. Paramus EMS responded to the crash site, however the nature of crash related injuries, if any, is not known.
NOTE: All persons shall be presumed innocent until found guilty by a final decision of the court.
Mahwah NJ, Join Split Rock Sweetwater Prayer Camp on Sunday, December 10th at 12pm for a ceremony to honor the completion of Mesingw masks in the Big House. In Kid Friendly Lenape tradition, Mesingw carries sacred medicine and is regarded as the protector of all the animals in the forest. Dress warmly and arrive early. Food donations and firewood welcome.
Split Rock Sweetwater Prayer Camp
95 Halifax Road, Mahwah, New Jersey 07430
Ridgewood NJ, drones have become a multi billion-dollar industry , the New Jersey Legislature is considering steps to criminalize some of the more troublesome uses of the gadgets. Sen. Paul Sarlo, D-Wood-Ridge, is sponsoring a bill that would make drunk drone flying illegal.
Under the Sarlo bill, operating a drone while under the influence of drugs or alcohol would be a disorderly persons offense, as would using a drone to harm wildlife or endanger people or property.
The bill would impose a range of restrictions on operating drones, barring residents from using the robots to harm humans or snatch up animals. Flying drones while drunk or on drugs would be made illegal. Violating the rules would be a disorderly persons offense, punishable with up to six months in prison, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.
Should the measure, A-5205, be signed into law by Gov. Chris Christie, it would be New Jersey’s first state-wide law regulating drones. According to a statement from Sen. Paul Sarlo, D-Wood-Ridge, “Drones have become increasingly disruptive, causing near-misses with airplanes, interfering with firefighter operations and being used to smuggle drugs and other contraband into prisons,”
Paramus NJ, the Paramus Police have issued a CRIME ALERT: Over the past several days there have been 3 home burglaries in Paramus. The first one was in the Arbor Road / Parkway School area. The second one was in the Fairview Ave / Colorado Road area. The third was in the Sycamore St. / Roosevelt Blvd area. Follow these tips on how not to be a burglary victim:
1. Report all suspicious people and cars to police via 911 immediately! Keep an eye on your neighbor’s homes.
2. Make sure you leave lights on in your home. Remember it is dark before most people return from work.
3. Lock your doors and windows.
4. Do not store your valuables in your master bedroom, Hide the around your home.
5. Prune shrubs and trees to keep them from hiding your home from street view.
6. Make your house appear that someone is home. Burglars target unoccupied homes!
If you have any questions on protecting your home call the Paramus Police Community Outreach Unit at 201-262-3400 ext. 5500, or send us a message on Facebook
Old Tappan NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal announced the arrest of DANIEL G. PFEIFFER (DOB: 6/13/89, single; and unemployed) of 12 Windsor Place, Old Tappan, New Jersey on charges of Stalking, Invasion of Privacy, Cyber-Harassment, and Contempt of a Stalking Restraining Order. The arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti.
In October 2017, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit initiated an investigation that revealed Daniel PFEIFFER posted nude and sexually explicit photos of a woman he was acquainted with on the Internet. Some of the postings included personal identifying information of the victim on the Internet.
As a result of the investigation, Daniel PFEIFFER was arrested on November 27, 2017 in Hackensack and charged with one count of Stalking, N.J.S.A. 2C:12-10C, a third degree crime; Invasion of Privacy, N.J.S.A. 2C:14-9C, a third degree crime; Cyber-Harassment, N.J.S.A. 2C:33-4.1(A)2, a third degree crime; and Contempt of a Stalking Restraining Order, N.J.S.A. 2C:29-9A, a fourth degree crime. PFEIFFER was remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending his arraignment. PFEIFFER is scheduled to appear in Bergen County Central Judicial Processing Court for a first appearance on December 13, 2017 at 8:30 a.m.
Prosecutor Grewal states that these charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and would also like to thank the Old Tappan Police Department for their assistance in this investigation.
