Paramus NJ, Traffic on Route 17 northbound in Paramus was slowed to a crawl on Tuesday night, 03/20, after a vehicle crashed into a utility pole and rolled on its side just north of Ridgewood Avenue. The right and center travel lanes of the highway were temporarily shut while emergency crews worked. Two (2) of the vehicle’s occupants were injured; one (1) was transported by ambulance to Hackensack University Medical Center’s main campus; the other occupant refused medical attention. A dog traveling in the vehicle was also slightly injured; arrangements were being made at the scene to transport it to a nearby veterinary clinic. Paramus Police, EMS, FD, and OEM personnel responded to the incident. Tow truck personnel were standing by at the scene to remove the wrecked vehicle but were unable to do so until PSE&G Electric Division workers stabilized the downed utility pole and dangling wires.
West Trenton NJ , Colonel Patrick J. Callahan has announced a commercial vehicle travel ban due to the anticipated severity of the impending nor’easter.
Effective tonight, Tuesday, March 20, at 8:00 p.m., there will be a commercial vehicle travel ban for the entire length of following roadways:
· I-78
· I-80
· I-280
· I-287
The commercial vehicle travel ban applies to:
· All tractor-trailers
· Empty straight CDL-weighted trucks
· Passenger vehicles pulling trailers
· Recreational vehicles
· Motorcycles
Trucks already in New Jersey are encouraged to use truck stops or rest areas during the ban. In order for road crews to effectively plow, drivers should not park on shoulders.
Residents and motorists should avoid driving unless you are an essential employee needed for emergency response. If you do not have to be on the roads during the storm, please stay home. If you must go out, drive slowly, fill your gas tank, charge your phone, pack blankets, water and non-perishable food items.
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Follow the New Jersey State Police online at Twitter , Facebook and Instagram . The social media links provided are for reference only. The New Jersey State Police do not endorse any non-governmental websites, companies or applications.
For additional information visit our website at www.njsp.org.
Ridgewood NJ, St. Patrick’s Day would not be complete if law enforcement didn’t put some witty spin on luck of the Irish as it relates to getting behind the wheel of a car after drinking. You’ll get no so such satisfaction here. Daring to be different, we’ll begrudgingly abstain from the all-too-familiar banter you’ll see everywhere else—hopefully. You’ll just have to read on to find out.
Instead, we’ll talk about DWI checkpoints and why you should never get behind the wheel regardless of whether or not it’s a holiday. Let’s first remind everyone that checkpoints are legal here in New Jersey and are used as a deterrent. We strongly recommend ignoring the advice of those who don’t believe this to be true—the people who encourage motorists to not comply with officers at checkpoints. This is not sound advice. If those people follow their own advice, perhaps they can use the gold they procured from an angry leprechaun to pay their fines.
So, with that being said, here are the details:
In an effort to make our roads safer and reduce crashes attributed to driving while under the influence, the New Jersey State Police will set up a sobriety checkpoint on Saturday, March 17, in the area of Belmar Borough and Neptune Township.
If you see a driver you believe is posing a hazard because of poor driving behaviors, please call the aggressive driver tip line from a hands-free mobile device to report it by dialing #77. Be ready to give a description of the vehicle and occupants, a location and direction, and a license plate if possible.
Troopers will be looking for signs of impairment due to alcohol or drugs. If you plan on drinking, have a designated driver, arrange for a taxi or ride share service like Uber or Lyft, or stay where you are. It’s not worth the risk of hurting or killing yourself, a friend, a loved one, or innocent motorist.
Have a safe and happy St. Patrick’s Day, people!
Oakland NJ, Borough of Oakland Police Department report that on March 7th at approximately 2am, several US Post Office collection boxes were broken into and all of the contents inside were stolen. The collection boxes broken into were the two in front of the Oakland branch of the US Post Office, the box at the intersection of Rutgers Drive and Franklin Avenue, and the box at 107 Bauer Drive. Franklin Lakes Police Department is also investigating a similar incident that occurred the same night in front of the Franklin Lakes branch of the US Post Office.
The US Postal Inspector, Oakland Police Department, and Franklin Lakes Police Department are working together to investigate the thefts. If you placed any mail into any Oakland collection boxes immediately prior to these thefts and the contents were payments made by check, we advise you to cancel the checks and report this theft to the US Postal Inspection Service with any documentation supporting the incident. If the checks were already cashed, follow up with the individual or company the check was written to in order to be sure they actually received the payment and not the offender(s) involved in the thefts. If any personal information (date of birth, social security number, driver’s license number, etc.) was included, we encourage residents to respond to their local police department to file an identity theft report and to monitor all accounts and credit bureaus.
Don’t get too excited yet.
#1 It’s an election year.
#2 You haven’t seen the details
#3 You don’t know if they are using borrowing instead of a rate increase
#4 Just because there is no RATE increase doesn’t mean they are collecting the same taxes. Revaluations in a rising market increases the base.
Haven’t heard from Little Josh about the Governors tax increase plan. I know he’s concerned because he came up with a hair brained and deceitful plan to make believe you are paying real estate taxes to a charity.
Glen Rock NJ, A mini van collided with a utility pole at the intersection of Heather Lane and Maple Avenue in Glen Rock on Thursday morning, 03/15. The vehicle’s driver was transported by an ambulance from The Valley Hospital to St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center in Paterson with non life threatening injuries. A flatbed tow truck removed the wreck. Glen Rock Police and Glen Rock Fire Department responded to the incident. A portion of Maple Avenue remained closed for an extended period while crews from PSE&G worked at the scene.
Paramus NJ, The Paramus Police Department is endeavoring to locate a missing person with a concern for her personal welfare. She is Paige Lattimore, a 27 year old white female, 5’7″, approx. 160-180lbs, no known clothing description. She operates a 2016 white Acura RDX with a NJ Registration of N84FPE. She was last seen around 8 am on 03/14/2018 at her residence in the southeast section of Paramus. Anyone with information is asked to call the Paramus Police Department at 201-262-3400
Rivervale NJ, Assemblywomen Holly Schepisi , voiced her concerns on accidents involving pedestrians, “Lately our communities have been plagued by pedestrians being hit by vehicles. Please remind those who drive in your family how important it is to obey speed limits in our communities. The difference between a 20 MPH hit of a pedestrian and a 40 MPH hit of a pedestrian is the difference between that victim surviving or likely dying. Drivers — watch your speed and do not drive distracted. Pedestrians — put down your cell phone when you wish to cross the street. Do not assume a car sees you just because you may be in a crosswalk. Never start walking until a vehicle has come to a stop.”
We picked this up from the Hillsdale police , but former Ridgewood Police Chief often shared the same thoughts with the Ridgewood blog .If a pedestrian is struck by a car going 20 mph or slower, the odds of survival are good. Above 35 mph, the impact is likely to be fatal. Obey speed limits!
Hackensack NJ, contrary to the insanity in Trenton , Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco , “This evening I introduced my 2018 proposed budget to the Board of Chosen Freeholders at their work session. I am excited to announce that this year, there will be NO COUNTY TAX INCREASE and Bergen County will continue to have the second lowest county tax rate in New Jersey. This budget exemplifies my administration’s commitment to continue building a better Bergen County by investing in important programs and services while exercising fiscal responsibility.”
Hackensack NJ, The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office (“BCPO”) is issuing this advisory to inform the public about phantom debt scams. A phantom debt scam involves criminals impersonating law firms, judges, court officials, or debt collectors who send out threatening letters, or make threatening phone calls about phantom debts, or a non-existent debt, to try to convince people to send them money.
The BCPO received information from a Bergen County resident who reported that she received a phone call she believed was a scam. A female caller who identified herself as “Ms. Jackson,” called the resident’s home phone and knew the resident’s first and last names. As part of the scam, “Ms. Jackson” stated that she was a detective with the Bergen County DA’s Office, Restitution and Hot Checks Section, and that the resident owed the DA’s office $300.00 for not appearing in court. The caller also stated that since the resident missed her court date, interest and court fees were added, which brought the total owed to just under $600.00. Finally, the caller stated that a warrant would be issued for her arrest if the debt was not paid in full. The resident, believing this was a scam, ended the phone call and immediately contacted our office, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, not the Bergen County DA’s Office that does not exist.
To avoid becoming a victim of a phantom debt scam, follow these tips:
Be suspicious of callers making threatening claims requiring you to pay money that you do not owe.
Be wary of anyone who asks you to wire money or load a rechargeable money or gift card as a way to pay back debt.
Add your phone numbers, home and cellular, to the National Do Not Call Registry. This will not stop all unsolicited calls, but it will stop most.
If your number is on the registry and you still get calls, hang up and report them at donotcall.gov.
If you receive an unsolicited phone call and suspect it is a fraud, or if you are the victim of a scam, report it to your local police department.
Paramus Police, Fire Department, and EMS personnel responded to a Wednesday evening, 03/14, crash on Route 17 northbound near Kalisa Way, Paramus, in which an SUV hit a utility pole head on. The vehicle’s driver was transported by ambulance to Hackensack University Center’s main campus. A paramedic unit from The Valley Hospital assisted Paramus EMTs with patient care. The force of the collision caused a pole mounted electric transformer to fall into a nearby parking lot. Traffic on Route 17 in both directions was slowed considerably until the wrecked vehicle was removed from the roadway by a flatbed tow truck. A PSE&G Electric Division employee was observed on the scene assessing damage to the electric distribution system equipment.
Paramus NJ, A hit and run driver struck a Paramus Police marked patrol vehicle in front of 201 Oradell Avenue, Paramus late Sunday afternoon, 03/11. No injuries were reported by the police officer driving the cruiser, who was responding to a medical emergency nearby. The patrol car’s door appeared to have been hit while open, signaling that the officer may have been either exiting or entering the vehicle when it was struck. A plain clothes officer took photographs of the scene and collected crash related debris in bags as evidence. A flatbed tow truck removed the car after all evidence was collected.
Closter, NJ, also known as the “Hub of the Northern Valley,” has just welcomed Gary’s of Closter, to their town. Gary’s Wine & Marketplace began as a small wine shop in Madison, New Jersey in 1987 and has since grown to be one of the largest fine wine businesses in the New York metropolitan area.
Closter, New Jersey is the fifth location and offers the full Gary’s experience — fine wine, craft beer, small-batch spirits, hand-cut cheeses, gourmet delicatessen, barware, gifts and more! We hope you’ll visit Gary’s of Closter soon. Cheers and thank you!
When Gary (CEO & Owner Gary Fisch ) was working toward his B.S. from Rider College in Political Science, he didn’t yet know where life was going to take him. Gary fell in love with wine in his senior year of college while working with his father, a liquor salesman, and decided to become an expert. He educated himself at the Sommelier Institute in New Jersey and at several of Windows on the World’s wine courses. The secret to his success is a passionate love and broad knowledge of his product — and the skill to communicate that delight. That enthusiasm and intelligence served him well when he teamed up with his brother Mark in 1987 and opened his first store in Madison, New Jersey. Two moves later, Gary’s now has stores in Bernardsville, N.J.and on Route 23 North in Wayne N.J. Gary’s expertise has earned him national media attention as “The Wine Guy” on the TV Food Network show Bobby Flay Hot off the Grill. He has made guest appearances on CNN, New Jersey 12 and Bloomberg radio and television. In January 2009, he was profiled in New Jersey Monthly’s “Power Issue” as one of the 101 Most Influential People in the Garden State. Not bad for a guy who simply loves to share his enthusiasm for wine!
The Grand Opening, which is open to the public, is taking place on March 15-17th, and will begin with a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Closter’s Mayor John Glidden.
Gary’s of Closter
67 VerValen Street, Closter, NJ 07624
(In the Closter Plaza Shopping Center – Between Whole Foods Market & Starbucks)
Phone: (201) 297-5000
Wyckoff NJ, Assemblymen Kevin J. Rooney and Christopher DePhillips called out Orange and Rockland Energy Company for its lack of preparation, communication and leadership as thousands of people remain without power following Wednesday’s nor’easter. The assemblymen are demanding answers.
“This is a matter of public safety and public health in our communities and the lackluster response from Orange and Rockland is unacceptable,” said Rooney (R-Bergen). “There are roads that are still impassable for police, firefighters and ambulances because of fallen trees and powerlines. The situation is dangerous. Orange and Rockland needs to explain why and how they have failed their customers with such great incompetence.”
“It is completely evident that Orange and Rockland hasn’t learned its lesson from past storms like Sandy,” said DePhillips (R-Bergen). “I am calling for an investigation by the Board of Public Utilities and the Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee into Orange and Rockland’s complete mismanagement and lack of preparation. Not only has the response been insufficient, but it has taken days to even start fixing our communities.”
Wyckoff Mayor Brian D. Scanlan told The Record that the utility company has failed to provide adequate crews to restore power to the town, leaving town hall, the police station, two schools, a sewage pump station and traffic lights dark. He said Orange and Rockland crews were “sitting in trucks watching down lines” while PSE&G crews, who serves the eastern part of the town, were working.
Rooney and DePhillips said “this is nothing new” as each experienced the same poor response to outages from Orange and Rockland as mayor of Wyckoff, calling for the utility company to “get its act together.”
Lodi NJ, Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo announced the arrest of RASHIT PEREZ (DOB: 04/06/1987; single; unemployed) of 358 Westervelt Place, Lodi, NJ. The arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Arson Squad under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti, the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office under the direction of Sheriff Michael Saudino, and the Lodi Police Department under the direction of Acting Chief Donald Scorzetti.
On Sunday, March 4, 2018 at approximately 10:30 P.M., Rashit PEREZ poured a flammable liquid and ignited it inside the vestibule of the Bank of America located 4 Hunter Street, Lodi, NJ. On March 5, 2018, members of the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office located Rashit PEREZ in Paramus, NJ and took him into custody.
Rashit PEREZ was charged with one count of Arson, N.J.S.A. 2C:17-1, a crime of the 3rd degree; and one count of Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4B, a crime of the 2nd degree. He appeared in Bergen County Central Judicial Processing Court on March 6, 2018 and was released with conditions.
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 also like to thank the Lodi Police Department and the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in this investigation.
![Orange-and-Rockland-Featured-compressor[1]](https://theridgewoodblog.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/BESTOrange-and-Rockland-Featured-compressor1.jpg "Rooney, DePhillips decry Orange and Rockland’s lackluster response to power outages, call for investigation")
