>The individual wanted in connection with Saturday night’s aggravated assault
on Police Officer Sean Amoruso was arrested at 10:12 PM this evening on
Steilen Avenue in Ridgewood. The arresting officer was Detective Sergeant
William Amoruso.
The suspect, a male juvenile who resides on Steilen Avenue, was transported
to Ridgewood Police Headquarters for processing. He was accompanied by his
father.
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>prosecute to the fullest extent of the law
>its time for the local ‘news’papers to publish the NAME, address, and booking photo of every ‘arrestee’.
>Hope this juvenile won’t be in high school with my daughter. Anyone that thinks it’s thinkable to attack a police officer is an extremely dangerous person.
>It sounds like we have “hang em high” justice well represented by the above three comments. They don’t know what happened. I don’t know what happened. I think the officers are well aware of what needs to be done. So let THEM do it. The alleged perp seems to be a juvenile, so let the purest among us cast the stone that condemns this kid to life at hard labor, never to see the sun again. Some of you people really suck, big time!
>Great work. I am guesing the officers are related?
>Are these officers related? If so, why is there so much nepotism in Ridgewood.
>nepotism? are you folks such as 817 brain-dead? the PD is governed by CIVIL SERVICE rules requiring WRITTEN TESTS and hiring is done using SCORES. There is also some veterans preferance regard to jumping someone on a list for the vet..but to suggest ‘nepotism’ when this process is in place is uninformed, delusional,and ignorant. Perhaps you should be thankful for the dedication of certain families to public service despite piss-poor attitudes of people such as yourself. MAYBE their gene-pool makes them good civil service test takers.
>8:17
What the hell does this have to do with the subject?
6:14 is right.
Start your brain before putting your mouth in gear next time.
You know some families pride themselves with generations of policemen or firemen. Its an hornorable profession that most people won’t entertain as a job.
Like yourself.
GET A LIFE.
>Lighten up 6:14. I think that comment about nepotism from 8:17 deserves to be asked. Just look at the fire department and I recall learning from this blog that another bombace works in payroll for the village.
That IS nepotism, so why shouldn’t it be questioned?
What’s even more disturbing is the conflicts of interest. Look at our board of ed. The past board president used to have students and classes doing fundraisers IN THE SCHOOLS for her non-profit organization. We have a board member who is a member of a teachers union in a neighboring district. How could that impact our contract negotiations with teachers? Everywhere you look there’s a wink and a nod and our taxes are through the roof. These things matter, I’m afraid.
>Hey 6:56
When you’re caught with the television set in your hand exiting an open window of a house that is not your own, then you’re CAUGHT. We don’t have to wait for a plea, a plea bargain, or anything else to recognize the preponderance of the evidence.
Ditto when you turn yourself in.
Ditto when you’re Michael Vick and the stuff is ON YOUR PROPERTY.
>lighten up?? what is it that is BEYOND your COMPREHENSION? The PD and FD are GOVERNED BY CIVIL SERVICE rules for hiring and promotion..this PREVENTS NEPOTISM. wtf is it that you do NOT understand??? ANY and all employees hired as a Police officer or Firefighter TAKE THE TEST, which is NOT adminstered or GRADED locally. The village MUST HIRE in the order of the numerical list with certain preference for VETERANS. Case closed. IF someone of the same last name is employed by the town in another capacity, so be it. As a 38 year resident of this village I recognize the name you mentioned in the FD. I appreciated the service of a dedicated family (and i do NOT know them personally). I do however know of a CURRENT situation in which an individual was told ‘DO NOT BOTHER TO APPLY” for a job in this town because his father IS a Police officer and the KID WOULD NOT GET HIRED, despite his qualifications, because the department head did NOT want to deal with ANY ‘allegations’ of nepotism such as have been regurgitated here. So thats REVERSE-nepotism? wheres the ACLU when they’re needed!
>10:40
Ask what you want, but don’t imply that people of the same name can’t do a job.
Why don’t you take the test –no obligation.
Then come back and be the judge on who is qualified to be employed by the FD or PD.
Like someone said there are proud families that have a number of memebers that have taken the tests and are now active members of a PD or FD.
FYI Irish cops in NYC
Same for Italian firefighters in NYC. Or anywhere for that matter.
It’s family pride not nepotism.
Is it nepotism if a brick layer’s son takes on the same trade as Dad and if he’s good a company may say we have the best father and son team in the business.
But the FD can’t have the father and son work side by side. WHY?
They gonna cheat someone of their tax money because they are both firefighters or Cops?
>It’s only nepotism if favoritism is shown or a job is given solely because of a family relationship…it’s not nepotism if two family members simply work for the same company or village or industry or whatever.
There go those grassy knollers on this blog again!
>well said, 12:04pm. Dont know these people, but agreed 100% about families taking pride in a profession. If they take the test and can do the job? Shut up unless you are going to do it.
This town is full of corruption, but we’re now centered on our FD and PD… Give me a break.
>The actual rules are promulgated under Title 4A of the NJ Administrative Code and there are ways to manipulate the system through the duration of eligible lists.
10:30 – Do you actually have to mouth the words before you type on the keyboard. Don’t hurt yourself thinking about that one.
No one questions the dedication and qualifications of the majority of our village’s employees.
Why is everyone focusing in on just the FD and PD?
>Not sure why we are talking about nepotism, but one brother should not work for another and someone’s wife should not cut the checks for her husband, unless it’s a small business.
Yes, families can be firefighters and cops but work in different towns, not for each other.
The Bombace family is an example of nepotism – they may all be qualified, but being related you will lose objectivity when dealing with each other.
It’s not personal, it’s business.
Love the cops, though, they seemt to be cracking down on the teen drug problem these days.
>Well, 7:54- not being related did not stop you from losing objectivity!
>Who cares, the officers are great. Related or not they are working for our town, our safety. Leave them alone. Do not critic, just congratulate.
Thanks again RPD.
>7:54
one quarter of the NYC PD & FD would be out of work if they had to follow your rules.
Again dedicated people doing a job you wouldn’t want.
SHUT UP!
>I think you hit a sore spot 7:54 PM.
>Some people can’t distinguish between nepotism and a family’s history of service that’s purely meritorious.
But I was stunned when I read the ridgewood news article about one of Bombace’s sons who was in the military. when asked what he wanted to do afterwards, he responded that he wasn’t sure yet, but that he may join the ridgewood fire department. It didn’t seem to occur to him that he would have to apply and then qualify BEFORE he is accepted.
But, hey, he knows important people there so why not just assume he’s in.
That troubled me, even though I really appreciate his service to our country. It’s a kind of entitlement expectation via family relations. He didn’t even feel the need to suppress such perceptions.
What does that tell you?
>Amoruso has a way of getting up-close to your face to smell if you’ve been drinking. In other words, he invades your personal space. Additionally, once he starts talking he won’t stop!
NEPOTISM IS NOT GOOD BECA– USE OF EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED HERE BETWEEN THESE TWO BROTHERS. MALICIOUS PROSECUTION.
Additionally, aggravated assault could mean that the officer subjectively THOUGHT that the juvenile was talking too loud to him…hence, a verbal assault.
>11:56- don’t you think that a physically fit, healthy young soldier who obviously had to do p.t. all through his training and with the obvious rigors of military service could EASILY get into our fire department? These fine young men and women don’t just sit on their butts watching TV like so many of us do over here. I don’t see many of the lawyers, doctors, stock brokers, etc. in this town wanting to run and join the fire department. Give it a rest…the kid is obviously civil service minded and wants to make a living serving his community. More power to him!
>1:34
AMEN
11:56
STUNNED you say–this guy just risked his butt for you–and now you badmouth his interview like you were there.
Be proud of this young man that he has risked his life and served his country and now he wants risk his life again to serve his home town as a fireman.
Maybe YOU might make it through boot camp if you enlisted. Or how about you just try out for the volunteer section of the RFD.
Maybe some things are better not said and I hate to be rude, but like someone else said.
SHUT UP.
12:54
Personal experience? Drinking to much?
>12:54, get a clue why don’t you? Malicious prosecution? What are they supposed to do with someone who assaults a police officer, give them a stern talking-to and send them on their way? And by the way, it’s ther JOB to determine if someone has been drinking. For all those on this forum railing against nepotism, here’s a little bit of food for thought, although it’s logical so most of you would have no interest in it. Civil Service applications don’t have spaces to list which family members are currently employed by the agency you are applying for. Emergency service work ESPECIALLY has a very family-oriented undertone, and people in the private sector are not generally inclined to understand it. Go to any fire, police or EMS agency and ask about how many people are 2nd or 3rd generation, or how many members of their extended family are involved. These professions embed a tremendous amount of pride and sense of duty, I highly doubt there’s a lot of honor among commodities traders…..
That being said, maybe young Mr. Bombace meant joining the volunteer force upon his return to prepare for the exam. I for one look forward to his safe return from harm’s way, and if the RFD is his career goal, I wish him all the best. FYI, as a veteran he’ll have preference for hiring.
>OK.
I’m confused.
Are there both Policemen and Firemen who are brothers?
How many people in this town are related to each other?
>”STUNNED you say–this guy just risked his butt for you–and now you badmouth his interview like you were there.”
All 11:56 was saying is that the kid expected to go to Ridgewood to work, like it was a family business.
It is not. It’s a municipality where salaries are paid by tax dollars.
The kid will probably be a good fireman or policeman or whatever…but does he have to work for his dad and uncle?
It’s not malicious, it’s just professional conduct within the public sector.
Jeepers, your sensitive.
>Ridgewood is only six degrees separated from the hills of West Appalachia. We’re all related.
>5:01 – Many of the workers in the town are direct relatives of others from the Police Department, to the Fire Department, to the Parks Department, to the Water Department, etc… It’s no coincidence. A while ago, the local newspaper did a story on Ridgewood’s nepotism. The had a list of everyone and how they were related. I think it’s now required disclosure. Lots of father/sons, brothers, cousins (how many Shortways are there???)
For the record, just because it’s civil service and you take a test doesn’t mean that hiring is based soley on test scores + vets preference. In most places (federal government included), you don’t have to hire the MOST qualified, you only have to be hire someone who is qualified. With respect to the federal government, not being hired despite the fact that you were the most highly qualified is non-grievable. I don’t know Ridgewood’s policies but this may be true.
With that said, if the young Mr. Bombace takes the test and does well, why shouldn’t he be hired (and I’m not a Bombace family fan)? He’s taken the test, done well, served his country and knows Ridgewood inside and out. Sure it stinks if my kid isn’t hired despite being more qualified but that’s life.
>YOWSER … I’m related to the Bombace’s and Shortways? … YOWSER!
>To Sum it all up…12:54 you are a total IDIOT!!!
>11:56- If you ask any person with interest they will answer “I’ll like to join the fire dept” they do not say I want to take a test, wait to see if I pass and then join the FD.
So grow up! Young Bombace will have to take the Fire Dept test, pass it and wait to be hired. Just like everyone else. His father can’t help him, his uncle can’t either- he’ll have to do it all on his own- that is called Civil Service. Yes, he does have preference on the list, in any town, because of his veteran status. And rightfully so, the kid has spent 2 out of the last 4 yrs fighting for your right to think he is “entitled”.
How sad that there is nothing better to do but badger this young man and his intentions of continuing to serve his community.
And by the way, what does this have to do with patrolman Amoruso?
>Oh NO!..You mean I might be related to Chief Corcoran through some ancestoral blood? ..Where’s my “Chief Of Police, Get Out Of A Jam” card then?
Guess we’re both decendents of Adam and Eve.
>For all I know, the minor who allegedly verbally assaulted the officer (who needed hospital treatment from flying spit) and then was arrested by his brother, could have lived on their block or cut in front of them on line someplace. Maybe an ax to grind.
I only hope we’re not paying for his disability income for the rest of his life now.
>This arguement about nepotism takes the lime light off the dangerous position the Amoruso brothers put themselves into with this minor! How brave!
Let’s ask ourselves though; there has been no other worthy applicants, who were either persons of color, or a woman, or both, that has had better qualifications than the father/son or brother tandems Ridgewood has hired?
Oh yea!..the last hiring of color was also an act of nepotism between brothers. Ahem.
>More intelligent comments! Apparently being a minor means you’re not capable of being dangerous? Hey genious, who do you think makes up a good portion of the gang problem in this county? Police officers can no longer treat encounters with minors differently. What if the minor in question was under the influence of narcotics? They have a tendency to alter a person’s ability to act reasonably. But hey, why should that stop anyone from bashing a public servant.
>What was the backup plan if his brother couldn’t make the arrest? Was there an uncle or cousin we could have thrown into the mix?
>Why are the posters on this site who become overly defensive and irritated only do so when we talk about nepotism and our board of education?
>no need to be DEFENSIVE about nepotism. Due to the hiring/promotion practices guided by the STATE CIVIL SERVICE rules it does not exist. “IF” you can name an instance of REAL ACTUAL nepotism, where someone was HIRED, PROMOTED, or Given a special assignment/preferential treatment by a SUPERVISOR who is a relative (father, son,cousin, uncle) then STATE THE FACT. state the INSTANCE, name the aggreived party who did NOT get promoted or hired. Until you have REAL FACTS, I suggest you stop SLANDERING the names of dedicated families who have served this town for many years. Is it that perhaps you received a parking ticket and have an axe to grind? Since you have ZERO facts on which you make BASELESS posts, it kinda reminds me of the typical reply when someone has NO FACTS and they try to silence their opponent. they simply brand them a RACIST…in this case you try to use a buzzword NEPOTISM…well genuis its NOT gonna work when you make your unfounded comments about the PD or FD employees..all it shows is your inability to comprehend the FACTS…must be a bone between those ears and a deficient amount of grey matter..in closing..STATE ACTUAL FACTS OR SHUT UP
>WAY TO GO 5:57.
Most of the people complaining here haven’t done a thing for the town, they’re — USERS, or leaches.
These people haven’t even planted a flower on the sidewalks of our town or for that matter in there own yards, they get the gardner to do it.
That’s what this town has become a bunch of leaches and complainers.
They need to step up to the plate and take a swing if they think they can do it better.
Regarding NEPOTISM, sounds like some people wanted to be in the FD and PD but couldn’t get in, maybe they lacked VET status.
Nepotism is a fact of life, not limited to this town or even country. Who else to watch out for but a brother or son.
Wouldn’t you want the best for your kid?
WE NEED TO MOVE ON FROM THIS SUBJECT.
>I wonder if the Amoruso brothers were ever minors.
>Some of you clowns should be embarassed. This went from a discussion about some punk (yes, I said punk) and the drug problem and mess outside of Starbucks to some of you actually picking apart the exact words and syntax of a member of our Armed Services.
Fact: If your kid is drunk or stoned outside of Starbucks and he assaults a cop, he (or she) is a punk. Face it… or did you also take on a police officer when you were a pampered teen? As long as we’re off topic….
We have dedicated civil servants in Ridgewood. Are there some bad ones? Corruption? Yes, I am sure thats the case. But to pull this whole stream off on a tangent b/c you want to make a gutless attack on some family? Anonymous… how convenient.
If you dont like Bombace or another member of our police or fire department, tell them. I dont know any of these people.. but you know what? I taught my kids to say “Thank you” and “Hello” to our firemen and policemen. Its called respect for someone who will put their life on the line for YOU and YOUR FAMILY.
If you think someone got a job thru a crooked connection… bring it up to the authorities. Go ahead… its called Free Speech. Americans have died on the battlefield so that you can have this right every day of the week.
>Ok, For some reason I feel a need to comment on this subject..
FIRST of all, I am proud to say I AM A SHORTWAY and yes I am employed by the Village as a School Crossing Guard. My post is Bellair and Ackerman Ave before and after school and Willard School at lunch time. I got the job BECA– USE I APPLIED to a postion that no one else seems to ever want. Look in the classified section and u will see they are always looking for a crossing guard.
I am PROUD to say that I come from a FAMILY of dedicated Police and Fireman. Not all were in Ridgewood but we were taught at a very young age that this is a job to be PROUD of and that a Policeman or Fireman deserve respect! These individuals risk their own safety to make sure others stay safe and out of harms way.
I as a Crossing Guard take my job to heart. I care about the children I am crossing. Some of the drivers in the Village of Ridgewood should do the same. Do u know how many times in almost 5 years I have been almost hit because of drivers going too fast, sun glare and putting their make up on. Sorry to say sometimes its the parents of other students that are careless. My point is go take a test no matter what your last name is and apply for jobs just like the rest of us have done!
>Fact: If your kid is drunk or stoned outside of Starbucks and he assaults a cop, he (or she) is a punk. yes and so is anyone that sticks up for this type of bad behavior…the kids and his parents need a beat down end of story
>RIDGEWOOD — “A FAMILY AFFAIR”
Whether we are talking about our fire department, police department, other VOR departments, or our school system, nepotism is alive and well in Ridgewood. Nepotism means the hiring of family or relatives. Offering employment to a relative, despite the fact that there are others who are better qualified and willing to perform the job, would be considered a form of nepotism. Hundreds of applications are received when an opening occurs in our fire department, police department or in our school system. When a relative is hired for one of these open positions it is only natural to question whether or not he/she was the best candidate. Does knowing someone or being related to someone get you the job? Does nepotism create an environment conducive to preferential treatment to family members? When relatives work in the same department or unit do work-related issues arise that can negatively affect that department or unit?
>The answer to the question “Does knowing someone or being related to someone get you the job? The anwer is YES! I remember a few years back when a resident wrote a letter to the editor stating that he had applied to our police department, took the exam and was #1 on the list. The job was given to someone else. It’s the nature of the beast. Hundreds of applicants and relatives or friends keep getting the jobs. Coincidence?
>remember……nothing has changed whether in ridgewood or washington. it is who you know not what you know.
that said this has nothing to do with the topic….the pd employees were doing their job.
>It’s a sore subject with those relatives in our fire, police or school district because they know it’s wrong.
>Nepotism is the least of the village’s problems. When it comes to preferential treatment or promotions, it whether your one of the chosen, the golf or bar club members, or what council person you’re tight with. Civil Service doesn’t matter the town has repeatedly circumvented the proper promotional process, from passing over qualified people on promotional lists to creating directors positions when their chosen one could not pass the test, and of course there is the creation of positions to take of there chosen ones in many departments. The council and manger have created a climate of “its not what you know but who you ———“ where employees are encouraged to use back door politics to get ahead. These many of these same council members have been around for and approved the creation these unnecessary positions and improper promotional practices. Now they claim to be physically responsible and demand audits and accountability. There laws that a supposed to prohibit council members from interfering with the day to day operations and personnel of the various agencies, yet that is what’s been happening for a long time now. The bottom line for getting ahead in Ridgewood, is not necessarily about being related, rather its more about being connected.
>IT IS BOTH — BEING RELATED AND BEING CONNECTED.
I find it very hard to believe that out of 200-300 applicants not one but two brothers will be hired (whether its the RFD or RPD). No wonder our little village is all f–cked up.