Ridgewood NJ, according to the NJ State Police last year, a total of 176,060 speeding tickets were issued statewide. That number includes 147, 996 tickets on roads throughout the state, excluding the Garden State Parkway, the New Jersey Turnpike and the Atlantic City Expressway, were another 28,064 speeding tickets were written by State Police .
If you thought there has been an up tick in speeding tickets lately Bergen County came in number 3 behind Monmouth (13103)and Middlesex (13841)in total speeding tickets with 12,022, that is up from 10,884 summons in 2016, but still down from the Bergen all time high in 2013 which had 13,009 .
Ho-Ho-Kus NJ, Ho Ho Kus Police, EMS, and Fire Department personnel responded to a rollover MVA at the intersection of Sheridan Avenue and Warren Place on Thursday morning, 04/05. Ambulance transportation to a local hospital was provided to one (1) adult female crash victim. Her injuries appeared to have been non life threatening in nature. The rolled over vehicle was righted by several Police & Fire Department members and subsequently removed from the scene by a flatbed tow truck.
BERGEN COUNTY, NJ Special Properties Real Estate Services, LLC, an exclusive affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate and the fastest growing real estate brokerage in northern New Jersey, recently recognized a number of its agents in the Mahwah, Franklin Lakes and Ridgewood offices for their overall sales performance in 2017 and for their recent rankings with New Jersey Multiple Listing Service (NJMLS).
“Whether the listing or selling agent, the success of our agents is testament to their hard work, Special Properties’ client-centric approach to customer service, and the power that Christie’s International Real Estate brings to the northern New Jersey real estate marketplace,” said Ilija Pavlovic, President and CEO of Special Properties Real Estate Services LLC.
Special Properties recently recognized the following agents for outstanding performance in overall sales in 2017:
Grazyna “Grace” Ziarko, Franklin Lakes
The Dator Team (Linda Dator, William “Bill” Dator, Lauren O’Rourke), Mahwah
Margaret Gregorek, Mahwah
Patricia Lomupo, Mahwah
Sharon Georgevich and William Savas, Mahwah
James “Jim” McElroy, Mahwah
Maureen Kuntz, Mahwah
Christina Gibbons, Ridgewood
Marisa Traverso, Ridgewood
NJMLS, a cooperative information network of real estate offices across Bergen, Essex, Passaic, and Hudson Counties, ranks its member realtors by total dollar values of real estate transactions in three categories: total production, listing agent and buyer’s agent. In Mahwah, Margaret Gregorek and Linda Dator were recently ranked second and third, respectively, for both total production and listed properties. For Ridgewood, Christina Gibbons was ranked fourth in the role of buyer’s agent.
“We congratulate the outstanding performance of our agents in a very competitive marketplace,” concluded Pavlovic.
About Special Properties Real Estate Services
Special Properties Real Estate Services, LLC embraces the history and traditions of its flagship brokerage location in Saddle River, NJ, into an expanded, modern presence in Mahwah, Franklin Lakes and Ridgewood, NJ. With a staff of accomplished real estate brokers, its clients across northern New Jersey and southern New York are provided with customized, personalized services, backed by the luxury real estate brand of Christie’s International Real Estate. Special Properties provides local expertise with global connections. For more information, call 201-934-0607 or visit www.specialpropertiesres.com.
Top performing agents for Special Properties Real Estate Services recently gathered at the brokerage’s Mahwah location. Pictured (L-R) is James McElroy, Patricia Lomupo, Graznya “Grace” Ziarko, Sharon Georgevich, Marisa Traverso, Lauren O’Rourke, Margaret Gregorek, Maureen Kuntz, Christina Gibbons, and William Savas.
Fair Lawn NJ, Fair Lawn Police took one (1) person (a male of unknown age) into custody following an alleged knife attack that took place at Biagio’s Pizza & Pasta, 23-14 Fair Lawn Avenue, Fair Lawn on Wednesday evening, 04/04 at approximately 9:00 PM. The victim, an adult male, was evaluated and treated at the scene by members of the Fair Lawn Volunteer Ambulance Corps, but refused ambulance transportation to a local hospital. Police at the scene provided no information as to what precipitated the attack, nor whether the alleged perpetrator and victim knew one another. Multiple uniformed and plainclothes Fair Lawn PD officers were observed at the scene.
Fair Lawn NJ, State Senator Bob Gordon (D-38) is going to the Board of Public Utilities (BPU).Bergen sources had speculated for some time on this eventuality and today a source confirmed it.Gordon represents Hawthorne, Fair Lawn, Glen Rock, Bergenfield, Hasbrouck Heights, Maywood, Lodi, Oradell, New Milford, Paramus, Oradell, Rochelle Park, Paramus, River Edge, and Saddle Brook.
As chairman of the N.J. Senate committee responsible for overseeing public transportation issues Gordon came under criticism ,for seeming out of touch with New Jersey Transits problems and failing to act until far to late.
The departure of the battleground district senator sets up the most likely potential for Assemblyman Joe Lagana (D-38) and Assemblyman Tim Eustace (D-38) to challenge for it. Republicans have long eyed the district and have come close to taking it several times.
Hawthorne NJ, A garbage truck crashed into a wooded area of Goffle Brook Park in Hawthorne after losing its brakes while descending a steep hill on nearby MacFarlan Avenue. The truck’s driver, who was rescued from the wreck by a Hawthorne police officer, sustained serious injuries and was transported by ambulance to St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center in Paterson. A paramedic team from St. Joseph’s assisted Hawthorne EMTs with patient evaluation and care. Hawthorne Fire Department attended to a crash related fluid leak and remained on standby at the scene until the vehicle was safely removed by two (2) heavy duty tow trucks.
Governor Murphy Wants to Slash Homestead Benefit Program After Campaigning to Increase Rebates
March 31, 2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ,Senator Michael Doherty said that Governor Phil Murphy’s budget proposal for 2019 is looking even worse as more details are revealed, including his plan to cut property tax rebates by more than 50 percent next year.
Sen. Mike Doherty slammed Gov. Phil Murphy’s proposal to cut property tax rebates by more than 50 percent next year. (SenateNJ.com)
“It’s sickening that Governor Murphy wants to reduce property tax rebates further despite promising during his campaign to restore cuts imposed by Democrats in the current budget,” said Doherty (R-23). “With the highest property tax bills in the nation, New Jerseyans need more property tax relief, not less as Governor Murphy has proposed.”
According to the Fiscal Year 2019 Budget in Brief provided by the Murphy Administration (see page 18), the governor has chosen to perpetuate a 50 percent cut to the Homestead Benefit Program in the current year’s budget that was to be fully restored in 2019.
This proposal directly contradicts his campaign pledge of “restoring rebates to low-income, seniors and disabled residents.”
“Not only has Governor Murphy chosen to prevent the restoration of funding to rebates, which would have doubled this important form of property tax relief in 2019, he has proposed cutting another $12.5 million from the Homestead Benefit Program,” Doherty said. “It’s a gut punch to property taxpayers.”
Doherty said the Governor has a constitutional obligation to increase property tax relief, given a projected budget surplus of $800 million to $1.5 billion that’s tied to larger than expected income tax collections.
“The New Jersey Constitution requires income tax revenues collected by the State to be dedicated to property tax relief,” added Doherty. “The Governor is trying to cut Homestead rebates when he should be increasing them. It looks like Governor Murphy has some explaining to do to property taxpayers.”
Woodcliff Lake NJ, Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo announced the arrest of RABBI MENACHEM M. WEISS (DOB: 09/18/1971; married; and employed as a teacher) of 1509 Rexford Drive, Los Angeles, California, on charges of Aggravated Sexual Assault. The arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti and the Woodcliff Lake Department under the direction of Chief Anthony Jannicelli.
In December 2016, the Woodcliff Lake Police Department received information that a juvenile male was sexually assaulted by Rabbi Menachem WEISS between January and June 1999 while Rabbi WEISS resided in Woodcliff Lake, NJ.
As a result of the investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and the Woodcliff Lake Police Department, the case was presented to the Bergen County Grand Jury. On Tuesday, March 20, 2018, Rabbi WEISS was indicted on two counts of Aggravated Sexual Assault, N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2A(2)C, crimes of the 1st degree.
On Thursday, March 22, 2018, Rabbi WEISS was taken into custody by the Port Authority of New York/New Jersey Police Department and transported to the Bergen County Jail where he is being held pending a detention hearing on March 26, 2018, at 9:00 A.M.
Acting Prosecutor Calo states that the charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and would like to thank the Woodcliff Lake Police Department for their assistance in this investigation.
Hackensack NJ, Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo announced the arrest of ANGEL SARIOL (DOB: 3/30/1972; single; and employed as a custodian) of 22-24 Ward Street, Apartment 2H, Hackensack, NJ, on charges of Terroristic Threats and False Public Alarm. The arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti and members of the Rochelle Park Police Department under the direction of Chief Robert Flannelly.
From Monday, March 19, 2018, through Wednesday, March 21, 2018, members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit received information from no fewer than 19 municipal police departments in Bergen County about a substantially similar series of phone calls that they received during that three-day period from an anonymous caller. During many of these calls, the unknown caller stated that police officers from those towns would be murdered. The ensuing investigation, led by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit and Rochelle Park Police Department, revealed that Angel SARIOL used technology to disguise his calling line identity and placed the phone calls.
As a result of the investigation, Angel SARIOL was arrested in Hackensack on Thursday, March 22, 2018 and charged with one count of False Public Alarm, N.J.S.A. 2C:33-3B, a 2nd degree crime; one count of Terroristic Threats During a State of Emergency, N.J.S.A. 2C:12-3A, a 2nd degree crime; and one count of Terroristic Threats, N.J.S.A. 2C:12-3A, a 3rd degree crime. Angel SARIOL was remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending a hearing in Central Judicial Processing Court on March 23, 2018.
Acting Prosecutor Calo states that the charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and would like to thank the Rochelle Park Police Department, Hackensack Police Department, Hasbrouck Heights Police Department, Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, and Union City Police Department for their assistance with this investigation. In addition, Acting Prosecutor Calo would also like to thank all the agencies that provided investigative leads in this matter, including:
Wood-Ridge Police Department
Hasbrouck Heights Police Department
Paramus Police Department
Park Ridge Police Department
Wyckoff Police Department
Elmwood Park Police Department
Maywood Police Department
Rochelle Park Police Department
Waldwick Police Department
Ho-Ho-Kus Police Department
Saddle River Police Department
Harrington Park Police Department
Woodcliff Lake Police Department
Hackensack Police Department
Oradell Police Department
Demarest Police Department
Saddle Brook Police Department
River Edge Police Department
Weehawken Police Department (Hudson County)
Ridgewood NJ, Lawmakers representing New Jersey’s 40th legislative district announced nearly $4.5 million to fund 15 transportation projects in each of the towns they represent.
$4.5 million in TTF funding will support 15 road and bridge projects (SenateNJ.com)“Our local municipalities will receive over $4 million from the TTF to improve critical road and bridge projects,” said Sen. Kristin Corrado (R-40). “Funding for safe and reliable transportation will be an investment in our economy.”
Bergen County will receive more than $1.3 million to fund seven projects, including improvements to the West Allendale Avenue Streetscape in downtown Allendale Borough and roads near schools and parks in Franklin Lakes and Ho-Ho-Kus.
Passaic County will receive $2,185,000 for five projects, including Webster Drive in Wayne Township.
Two projects in Morris County will be funded with more than $547,000, including improvements to Hillview Road in Pequannock Township, a commercial area. A $402,000 grant was awarded to Essex County for Cedar Grove Township.
“This is welcome news for our region,” said Rooney (R-Bergen). “Fixing roads in residential neighborhoods makes them safer for commuters and families while protecting the value of homes in the area. Road improvements also enhance safety for children who walk to school and enjoy our parks.”
“Commuters, businesses, and families will all reap the benefits of this funding,” said DePhillips (R-Bergen). “Well paved and maintained streets are vital to our local economy. This investment in our infrastructure will pay dividends for years to come.”
Paramus NJ, At least three (3) individuals were transported by ambulances to nearby hospitals with a variety of injuries following a spectacular crash in which three (3) vehicles slammed into a wall of the Chakra Restaurant at West 144 Route 4, Paramus late Saturday night, 03/24. One (1) of the vehicles flipped over onto its roof prior to hitting the restaurant. A vehicle parked outside of the building was reportedly among those involved. Although the building sustained significant structural damage, all of the injuries were to occupants of the vehicles involved; no one in the restaurant was hurt (all patrons were safely evacuated from the building immediately after impact). A utility pole and fire hydrant were obliterated in the incident. Paramus Police, Fire Department, EMS, and Rescue Squad units responded to the scene along with at least one (1) paramedic team. A mutual aid ambulance was also dispatched to assist with patient transport. The restaurant’s owner was at the scene and was overheard saying that the establishment would likely be closed for several weeks to facilitate necessary repairs.
Paramus NJ, Members of Paramus Fire Department Engine Company #3 quickly extinguished a fast moving brush fire before it extended to a single family home and a detached one (1) car garage in the 400 block of Gregory Road, Paramus on Saturday afternoon, 03/24. No injuries were reported in the blaze, which appeared to have been ignited by sparks from an outdoor fire pit. Paramus Engine Company #1 also responded to the incident.
Hackensack NJ, The Hackensack School District, as well as the mayor of Hackensack John P. Labrosse, Jr. , are working on a plan to increase security at all area schools.
Mayor John Labrosse says the town has a plan being finalized to put retired police officers in every school.The retired officers would be assigned to the middle school, four elementary schools and the pre-K program.
Hackensack High School will continue to be protected by a school resource officer, who is a current Hackensack Police Department member.
The current focus is on funding for the plan.
On March 14th Hackensack High School did not participate in the “student led walkout ” in support of the students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas H.S. in Parkland, Florida , due to a security threat.
HHS Update regarding March 14, 2018
Dear Hackensack School Community,
In response to security concerns brought to the attention of Administration at Hackensack High School earlier today, Tuesday, March 13, the walk-out planned for tomorrow has been cancelled.
Instead, student organizers will share a presentation in support of the students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas H.S. in Parkland, Florida, that will be streamed to all classrooms via the school TV Studio.
The safety of all students and staff is a critical priority. Any potential threat is taken very seriously. As a precautionary measure and to reassure students and staff, there will be an increased police presence at HHS tomorrow, Wednesday, March 14.
We ask all parents/guardians and community members that when you “see something” or “hear something” that concerns you, you need to “SAY SOMETHING.”
Lyndhurst NJ, Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo announced the arrest of Sean D. SLATTERY (DOB: 8/29/1982; single; and employed as a laborer) of 93 Stuyvesant Avenue, Second Floor, Lyndhurst, NJ, on charges of Stalking, Cyber-Harassment, and making a False Report to Law Enforcement. The arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti.
On Friday, March 16, 2018, members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit received information from the 24-year-old victim and from Sean D. SLATTERY about a series of alarming text messages that were sent to both of them. The ensuing investigation revealed that Sean D. SLATTERY falsified his statements to detectives and was the person who used the Internet to create the alarming and harassing messages, which were designed to appear as if the sender was someone else.
As a result of the investigation, Sean D. SLATTERY was arrested on Tuesday, March 20, 2018 and charged with one count of Stalking, N.J.S.A. 2C:12-10B, a 4th degree crime; one count of Cyber-Harassment, N.J.S.A. 2C:33-4.1A(2), a 4th degree crime; and one count of False or Fictitious Report to Law Enforcement, N.J.S.A. 2C:28-4B(1), a 4th degree crime. Sean D. SLATTERY is scheduled for a first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack, NJ on Wednesday, April 4, 2018, at 8:30 A.M.
Acting Prosecutor Calo states that the charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and would like to thank the Lyndhurst Police Department, which lends support to the Cyber Crimes Task Force and whose personnel assisted with this investigation.
Hackensack NJ, Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo announced today the results of “Operation Helping Hand 4” – the fourth phase of an innovative law enforcement and public health initiative targeting the heroin and opioid crisis in Bergen County. The initiative was led by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office (“BCPO”), under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Calo and Chief of Detectives Robert Anzilotti, in coordination with Bergen County Executive James J. Tedesco III and Bergen County Sheriff Michael Saudino. Held from March 12 through 16, 2018, the initiative brought together Bergen County law enforcement from 30 agencies, Recovery Specialists from Children’s Aid and Family Services, clinicians and specialists from the Bergen County Department of Health Services, Division of Addiction Services, and professionals from New Bridge Medical Center to offer help to those suffering from the disease of addiction in Bergen County.
During the initiative, 37 individuals were arrested and brought to the BCPO to be processed. After they were issued summonses, largely for heroin possession, they were offered an opportunity to speak to a Recovery Specialist – a recovering addict, who has been clean and is trained to help them find treatment. This offer of help was in addition to, not in lieu of, criminal charges.
If the individual requested help, a trained clinician from the Bergen County Division of Addiction Services assessed him/her to determine the appropriate level of care and treatment needed. The clinicians, working closely with the Recovery Specialists and representatives from New Bridge Medical Center, then made arrangements for treatment, and law enforcement transported the individual to treatment.
Of the 37 individuals arrested during Operation Helping Hand 4, 19 have so far availed themselves of the treatment option, including 12 who are currently in 5-day detox programs, mostly at New Bridge Medical Center. As those individuals complete detox, longer-term treatment options are being arranged for them and their progress is being tracked by the Recovery Specialists. For those who did not avail themselves of treatment, the Recovery Specialists remain in touch with many of them and are prepared to offer help whenever they are ready to seek it.
A multi-jurisdictional task force comprised of law enforcement officers from the following agencies, under the direction of BCPO Chief Anzilotti, participated in the initiative: Bergen County Sheriff’s Office; Bergenfield Police Department; Cliffside Park Police Department; Clifton Police Department; Dumont Police Department; East Rutherford Police Department; Englewood Police Department; Elmwood Park Police Department; Fair Lawn Police Department; Garfield Police Department; Glen Rock Police Department; Hackensack Police Department; Lyndhurst Police Department; Mahwah Police Department; Morris County Prosecutor’s Office; New Milford Police Department; Norwood Police Department; Paramus Police Department; Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office; Paterson Police Department; Port Authority of New York and New Jersey; Ridgefield Park Police Department; Saddle River Police Department; Tenafly Police Department; Union County Prosecutor’s Office; Upper Saddle River Police Department and the Westwood Police Department.
Statistics compiled by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office indicate an increase in opioid use and drug overdoses in Bergen County from 2016 to the present. A preliminary analysis of overdose data by the BCPO Intel Unit and Narcotics Task Force revealed the following with respect to 2017:
507 total reported overdoses, 416 of which are currently identified as heroin/opioid-related.
Of the 308 reported overdoses, 131 were fatal overdoses; 111 of those were identified as heroin/opioid-related.
325 deployments of Narcan, the overdose reversal drug, by law enforcement officers, resulting in 245 lives saved. (Note: there were many other deployments – by parents, friends, family members, EMTs and in the ER that are not accounted for in this )
Acting Prosecutor Dennis Calo stated that “Operation Helping Hand 4 is part of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and Bergen County law enforcement’s continuing effort to combat the opioid epidemic and help those who are affected by it. The Operation demonstrates the close cooperation of law enforcement, County government and Bergen County social service organizations in the fight against this epidemic and the results that are possible through that cooperation. We will continue the fight.”
Acting Prosecutor Calo would like to thank the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, the Bergen County Executive, New Bridge Medical Center, Children’s Aid and Family Services, the Bergen County Department of Health Services, Division of Addiction Services, as well as all the participating law enforcement agencies for their assistance with this initiative.
