Tag: Police

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Police in Saddle River, Ridgewood and Ho-Ho-Kus warn of car thefts

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file photo Boyd Loving

JULY 2, 2015    LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015, 1:21 AM
THE RECORD

Police in Saddle River, Ridgewood and Ho-Ho-Kus are once again urging residents to lock their cars following a pair of recent automobile thefts.

Two cars were stolen from the area last week, including one taken last Thursday from Ho-Ho-Kus’ Saddle Ridge Road, said the borough’s chief of police, Christopher Minchin.

That automobile was stolen by a man who fled a Saddle River police officer earlier that morning, authorities said. The car was later found in Newark.

According to police accounts, a patrolling Saddle River cop happened upon a running car along Twin Brooks Road just after 3 a.m. As the officer approached the car, it quickly reversed, nearly slamming into the patrol unit as it fled.

A man who’d been standing near the suspicious vehicle disappeared into the nearby woods, close to the Ho-Ho-Kus border, police said.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/crime-and-courts/authorities-in-3-towns-are-warning-of-car-thefts-1.1367210

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In using deadly force, cops rely on their training, experts say

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file photo by Boyd Loving

JUNE 12, 2015, 10:46 PM    LAST UPDATED: SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2015, 12:05 AM
BY STEFANIE DAZIO
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

When a police officer uses deadly force against a suspect, the questions from grieving — and often angry — relatives tend to be as predictable as they are wrenching: Why didn’t the officer aim for the suspect’s arm or leg? Did the officer have to fire so many shots? Couldn’t he have used a baton, pepper spray or a stun gun instead?

The answer in many cases, experts said, is that officers who fire at suspects in deadly force situations are following their training.

These questions and others were raised anew on Friday, a day after a police officer fatally shot a 22-year-old man on a Hackensack street corner. Authorities said he brandished a large knife at the officer, who had responded to an emergency call reporting a domestic violence incident. The fatal shooting was the third in three weeks involving police in Bergen County.

Several experts who agreed to speak generally about deadly force situations said no amount of training can fully prepare officers for the pounding adrenaline and the split-second, life-or-death decisions they must make when confronted with a dangerous suspect.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/in-using-deadly-force-cops-rely-on-their-training-experts-say-1.1355263

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Reader says ,Officer Elwood. I’m going to tell you why you are wrong and why perceptions are very important.

deadly force

Firstly, I am generally pro-police. I think this is how the majority of the public feel. However, there’s a side to the police that irks many, and you have demonstrated this side. It’s the circling of the wagons mentality in your description of the events at this incident, which you have no more insight into that anyone else who was not there. I understand the whole band of brothers sense of camaraderie, but when it comes to incidents of police officers discharging a firearm, and that incident is still in the review stage, you have no business making public statements about what happened. It’s this very kind of public statement that gives the general public a very low opinion of how the police, police themselves. As for the previous incident, yes, this is noteworthy. It possibly indicates issues of the officer’s ability to self-manage his anxiety levels during moments of stress.
Also , I didn’t realize, Officer Elwood, that you witnessed the incident, because according to statement in which you say the police officer “really had no other choice”, it appears that you saw it all. I hope that you provide this important testimony to whoever is in charge of officially reviewing the incident.

Another poster chimed in ,  What I don’t understand is what people think the Police Officer should do. A German Shepherd as the 2nd most forceful bite of any dog – 235 lb per square inch. That’s enough to break bones in the leg, ankle or foot.

Soto replay this scenario, an 85 lb dog has your foot in his mouth. Being 4 -legged the dog can move, laterally, faster than an upright human – especially if he has the human’s foot in his mouth! SO exactly what is it that you think the Officer should have, or could have, done? Better yet, if this had been you, what would you have done?

Looks like the police union is out with its “facts and figures” to try and muddy the water to distract attention away from the real issues here: 1) This was an 85 lb German Shepherd with the 2nd most forceful bite of any dog – 235 lb per square inch. That’s enough to break bones in the leg, ankle or foot; and 2) having a window open to allow a dog to go in and out of a house into a fenced backyard poses a problem itself, especially in terms of liability for the homeowner. Guess the union hasn’t learned anything from the recent human deaths in Staten Island, Ferguson, Georgia, South Carolina or Baltimore.

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Police, hospital staff rehearse for armed crisis in Paramus

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Police, hospital staff rehearse for armed crisis in Paramus

OCTOBER 19, 2014, 7:04 PM    LAST UPDATED: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2014, 7:10 PM
BY STEFANIE DAZIO
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

Begin scenario: A gunman takes a woman hostage at a local hospital and shoots aimlessly toward patients and their nurses on the third floor.

A security officer yells down the hallway, “Run and hide, we have a man with a gun.” Those who aren’t bedridden — or haven’t already been shot — scatter. Others lock their doors or draw the curtains around their beds. They hold their breath as the gunman comes closer.

A team of police officers advances, clearing corners and rooms until they find the gunman and his hostage. They train their weapons on him.

End scenario.

There wasn’t really an active shooter at The Valley Hospital’s Robert and Audrey Luckow Pavilion in Paramus on Sunday afternoon. But hospital staff, volunteers and local and county law enforcement agencies practiced this drill and several others as if there had been.

“One of these drills came to fruition,” Paramus Mayor Richard LaBarbiera said. “Preparedness, you can’t say enough about it.”

Nearly a year ago, police responded to the county’s first ongoing shooting incident, which happened at the Garden State Plaza in Paramus. The gunman fired randomly and later killed himself in the mall.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/police-hospital-staff-rehearse-for-armed-crisis-in-paramus-1.1112762#sthash.jByykonW.dpuf

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The truth about libertarians, police and Ferguson’s fury

Police Converge Mass

The truth about libertarians, police and Ferguson’s fury

By John Stossel

Published August 20, 2014
FoxNews.com

Libertarians warned for years that government is force, that government always grows and that America’s police have become too much like an occupying army.

We get accused of being paranoid, but we look less paranoid after heavily armed police in Ferguson, Missouri, tear gassed peaceful protesters, arrested journalists and stopped some journalists from entering the town.

One week before the rioting began, Fox News aired my documentary on the militarization of law enforcement, “Policing America.”

That show didn’t stop some left-wing commentators from making the bizarre claim that libertarians like me have been silent about Ferguson.

https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2014/08/20/libertarians-police-and-ferguson-fury/

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Turf king endorses Aronsohn, Hauck and Puciarell criticizes police and firemen, attacking salary and benefits

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Turf king endorses Aronsohn, Hauck and Puciarell criticizes police and firemen, attacking salary and benefits

TAKEN FROM THE RIDGEWOOD BLOG (Archived ) You should read the whole article.

From 2009-2010 Brian Abdoo repeatedly endorsed the multi-million dollar controversial turf projects at Stadium and Stevens fields. As we all know the turf has been an unmitigated disaster resulting in Ridgewood Taxpayers incurring the burden of costly repairs

Found it! Posted May 7, 2012.

https://theridgewoodblog.net/turf-king-endorses-aronsohn-hauck-and-puciarell-criticizes-police-and-firemen-attacking-salary-and-benefits/

Turf king endorses Aronsohn, Hauck and Puciarell criticizes police and firemen, attacking salary and benefits

Moments ago, after a long day at work I sat down to review my personal emails, check school info and sports emails, kids schedule, etc. In the mix was an email from Brian Abdoo who I know from a number of sports programs my kids are involved in. I began reading the Abdoo’s endorsement of candidates, Aronsohn, Hauck and Puciarelli. The more I read the sicker I became. Abdoo has thoroughly disgusted me with his hypocritical rhetoric.

From 2009-2010 Brian Abdoo repeatedly endorsed the multi-million dollar controversial turf projects at Stadium and Stevens fields. As we all know the turf has been an unmitigated disaster resulting in Ridgewood Taxpayers incurring the burden of costly repairs.

Now, this same Brian Abdoo wants to express concern over taxes? He attempts to peddle Paul Aronsohn’s gimmicky zero based budgeting. Even my 6th grader understands built-in inherent cost increases. Abdoo states he wants more transparency and Village Council should “open the books”. The fact that Brian Abdoo is ignorant should not persuade anyone to his argument. Brian, the books are open. They are a matter of public record and are available for anyone to review. Brian, feel free to visit APP DataUniverse if there is anything you need to know. However, Mr. Abdoo, while doing your research you likely will not find the value of your candidate Aronsohn’s health care costs, at village taxpayer expense, for the past four years. Mr. Abdoo, while Mr. Aronsohn is busy telling you he wants to help Ridgewood Taxpayers, he has been busy helping himself for four years
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Brian Abdoo proceeds to attack our police and firemen, attacking their salary and benefits. If this is such a concern why on earth would he support Aronsohn who voted for each and every raise, and contract , pertaining to the police & fire department. Maybe he prefers regionalized police and fire departments like Hauck and Puciarelli. Hauck announced the savings for each village taxpayer during the debate: a whopping $ 285 each! For that money I will sleep better at night with Village police and firemen.

Abdoo professes the revitalization of Ridgewood downtown and how committed each of his threesome is to this goal. Mr. Abdoo, Paul Aronsohn is the Council liaison to the Chamber of Commerce. What has he been doing for the past four years? Shopping at the mall? And Hauck and Puciarelli prefer a more urbanized Ridgewood. If they want urbanization let them move to Hoboken.

Best for last, Abdoo states each of these candidates is committed to helping Valley and residents to negotiate a compromise to allow for expansion. For goodness sake, Brian, where has Al Puciarelli been? He has been a member of the planning board forever. Hauck didn’t speak of compromise when she endorsed the massive expansion, as is, over and over again. Valley Hospital is not interested in compromise. The only time that was suggested by Valley was at the last Village Council hearing. Audrey Meyers, seeing the writing on the wall, begged council to hold off their vote so Valley could develop a compromise. Seriously, where was the compromise for six years?

Mr. Abdoo, reconsider and bullet for Killion and Shinizuka before we are in another turf-like drowning mess attributable to the likes of you.

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New Jersey towns scramble to limit police, firefighter pay raises now that cap has expired

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file photo Boyd Loving

New Jersey towns scramble to limit police, firefighter pay raises now that cap has expired

APRIL 5, 2014    LAST UPDATED: SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 2014, 12:03 AM
BY MICHAEL PHILLIS
STATE HO– USE BUREAU
THE RECORD

In the four days before a statewide cap on police and firefighter raises expired, 71 applications were filed by local governments to take advantage of that limit.

That’s more than double the number of towns and counties that did so in all of last year, according to state records.

Local governments were seeking binding arbitration with police and firefighter unions while a 2 percent cap on raises was still in place. That cap, a measure that supporters say has kept property tax increases in check, expired Tuesday.

“We wanted to take advantage of a law as it was originally adopted,” said Richard Kunze, the borough administrator in Oakland.

Uncertainty about a bill in the Legislature to extend the cap caused Oakland to file for arbitration on Monday after failing to reach a contract with the town’s police union.

“Very clearly, it is all in response to the legislation,” Kunze said.

The New Jersey State League of Municipalities said the late rush by towns and counties to take advantage of the cap shows how much it is needed. The Senate has passed an extension, but the measure has stalled in the Assembly.

The cap on raises was one of the measures passed after Governor Christie signed a law that limits annual increases in property tax levies to 2 percent.

New Jersey’s property taxes are among the highest in the nation. In 2013, for example, Bergen County’s average bill was $10,645. Passaic County’s was $9,368.

State law restricts police and firefighters from striking during contract disputes. When governments and their unions can’t agree on contracts, a neutral third party makes a binding decision about the terms of a new deal.

The arbitration cap limits raises for police and fire officials, which often make up a substantial portion of municipal budgets. These restrictions, advocates of a cap say, prevent government services from being cut if high raises are given.

Before the cap was put in place, some unions were receiving raises around 4.5 percent. That has dropped to about 1.9 percent since the law took effect, according to a report by a task force that studied the law.

In a compromise with Governor Christie, the Democrats who control the Legislature agreed to extend the cap on raises but limited the extension to three years.

The Democrats’ version, which allowed for some exceptions to the 2 percent cap and limited the bill’s overall reach, passed both houses but was conditionally vetoed by Christie. The Senate then passed a bill backed by Christie, which would end the cap by 2018 but eliminate some of the union-friendly provisions in the Democrats’ plan. The Assembly has yet to act on Christie’s version.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/new-jersey-towns-scramble-to-limit-police-firefighter-pay-raises-now-that-cap-has-expired-1.842277#sthash.l9MqElsF.dpuf

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Statewide Cellphone crackdown starts Tuesday

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file photo Boyd Loving

Statewide Cellphone crackdown starts Tuesday

MARCH 30, 2014    LAST UPDATED: SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014, 1:21 AM
BY JOHN CICHOWSKI
THE RECORD

Cellphone yakkers and texters, beware!

Starting on Tuesday, hundreds of New Jersey police departments will be focusing on distracted-driving in a crackdown that is likely to yield more cellphone and texting tickets than have the token campaigns of the past.

The reason: For the first time, the state is putting federal money into this offensive, which means police in 60 communities, including Englewood Cliffs, Hillsdale, Paramus, Ramsey, Hawthorne and West Milford, will each be earning overtime pay to conduct distracted driving patrols. In the past, this strategy has been confined only to seatbelt and drunken-driving enforcement.

“But this year, the feds are encouraging the states to do more,” said Gary Poedubicky, acting director of the state Division of Highway Traffic Safety. “We don’t have enough to fund every town, but it’s a start.”

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/area-cops-taking-on-cellphone-drivers-1.836506#sthash.qCwlwr43.dpuf

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Christie vetoes bill that would have loosened limits on police, firefighter raises

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file photo by Boyd Loving

Christie vetoes bill that would have loosened limits on police, firefighter raises

Governor Christie vetoed a bill that would have loosened limits on how much local police and firefighters can be given in annual raises Thursday, setting up a yet to be scheduled final vote in the Assembly.

In 2010, a 2 percent limit on tax levy increases was passed. Beginning in 2011, local police and fire unions were also limited to 2 percent raises when they entered into the state’s binding arbitration process – a mechanism that occurs when the union and towns can not agree on a contract. This limit was put in place so government services wouldn’t have to be cut for towns to comply with the 2 percent tax cap.

The current arbitration limit will expire on April 1 and the legislature has been scrambling to extend it in some form – Republicans want a permanent hard cap while Democrats proposed a bill with some exceptions.

Today, both the Assembly and Senate approved the Democrats’ plan before it was conditionally vetoed by Governor Christie. This plan would have increased raises to 3 percent if the union had provided the town with savings on items like health benefits. In addition, it would have allowed unions who were subject to the 2 percent cap since 2011 to be immune from the new law’s limitations – Republicans argue this would have defanged the central point of the legislation. (Phillis/The Record)

https://www.northjersey.com/news/christie-vetoes-bill-that-would-have-loosened-limits-on-police-firefighter-raises-1.752917#sthash.1YeVybAM.dpuf

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N.J. legislature to vote on extension of arbitration cap for police, fire pay hikes

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photo by Boyd Loving

N.J. legislature to vote on extension of arbitration cap for police, fire pay hikes

Top Democratic lawmakers are rushing to extend the cap on police and firefighter pay raises that some say has helped keep property tax bills in check. But local officials say the bill expected to be voted on today in both the Assembly and state Senate includes too many loopholes to be effective.

Since 2011, raises for local police and firefighters have been limited to 2 percent if contract disputes were settled, as many are, through the state’s binding arbitration process. Statewide, the average property tax bill rose to a record $7,988 in 2013, but that rate of growth has slowed while this cap and another that limits overall increases in the local tax have been in place.

The salary cap expires on Tuesday, a deadline written into the original law as a compromise between the Democrats who control the Legislature and Governor Christie, a Republican.

Before the cap was in place, unions were often given raises of around 4.5 percent. That figure is now 1.9 percent after the cap, according to a recent report issued by a task force set up to study the cap’s effectiveness.

Without a full extension of the current cap, the local officials warn, cuts in services are likely. (Reitmeyer and Phillis/The Record)

https://www.northjersey.com/news/n-j-legislature-to-vote-on-extension-of-arbitration-cap-for-police-fire-pay-hikes-1.751656#sthash.OB7Wqme4.dpuf

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Police, hazmat converge on hotels near MetLife Stadium on ‘unknown substance’ calls

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Police, hazmat converge on hotels near MetLife Stadium on ‘unknown substance’ calls

Friday, January 31, 2014 Last updated: Friday January 31, 2014, 1:00 PM
BY JAMES M. O’NEILL AND MATTHEW MCGRATH
STAFF WRITERS
The Record

Bergen County has dispatched hazmat and bomb squad teams to three hotels near MetLife Stadium after a suspicious white substance was delivered to the hotels.

The substances were delivered this morning and reported to county officials at 11:42 a.m., said Jeanne Barratta, chief of staff to Bergen County Executive Kathleen Donovan.

She said the substance was delivered to two hotels in Carlstadt and one in East Rutherford. She said she did not know if anyone at the hotel was exposed to the substance. The FBI and New Jersey State Police are also working the case, she said.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/carlstadt/Police_converge_on_Carlstadt_hotel_on_hazardous_material_call.htm