Tag: Ridgewood Police

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DUI the culprit in Route 17 South Bound Crash early Sunday Morning in Ridgewood

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photo courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page
DUI the culprit in Route 17 South Bound Crash early Sunday Morning in Ridgewood
December 13,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ , The adult female driver of a 4-door Ford Taurus was charged with driving under the influence in connection with a crash on Route 17 southbound in Ridgewood early Sunday morning. The crash occurred just prior to the Linwood Avenue overpass and shut down two (2) lanes of traffic on Route 17 southbound, plus an on ramp to the highway southbound from Linwood Avenue, for almost one (1) hour beginning at approximately 1 AM. No injuries were reported in the incident. HoHoKus and Paramus PD units assisted Ridgewood PD officers at the scene; Ridgewood FD personnel attended to a crash related fluid spill. A flatbed tow truck removed the Taurus from the roadway. The incident reportedly involved two (2) vehicles. One (1) of the vehicles was said to have fled the scene and was later involved in another crash on Route 4 westbound near the Garden State Parkway in Paramus. No word as to whether the driver of that vehicle was charged in connection with the Ridgewood incident.

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Ridgewood Neighbors Protest the Removal of Old Growth Shade Tree by the Village

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photo courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook
Ridgewood Neighbors Protest the Removal of Tree by the Village
December 11,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Christina Ercolano, age 51, of 59 Ehtelbert Place, Ridgewood, blocked Village of Ridgewood employees from removing a towering shade tree on Friday morning, 12/11, until threatened with arrest by Village Engineer Christopher Rutishauser. Several of her Ethelbert Place neighbors stood by as Ms. Eroclano asked Village officials why a “perfectly healthy” tree was being cut down.

Two (2) Ridgewood PD uniformed patrol officers and a uniformed supervisor were called to the scene and were ready to take the woman into custody had she not voluntarily stepped back from the tree. The tree was reportedly being removed to facilitate the expansion of a nearby home. According to Engineer Rutishauser, the tree will be replaced by a new tree at a later date.

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Car Truck Collision at the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and Bellair Road, Ridgewood

Car Truck Collision at the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and Bellair Road, Ridgewood
photo courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook
Car Truck Collision at the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and Bellair Road, Ridgewood
December 08,2015

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The driver of a roll off container truck was transported by ambulance to The Valley Hospital following a collision in which his truck broadsided a white Toyota Matrix at the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and Bellair Road, Ridgewood on Tuesday, 12/08. The adult female driver of the Toyota was uninjured in the crash, which occurred just prior to 1PM. Ridgewood PD, FD, and EMS units responded to the scene. The heavily damaged Toyota was removed from the scene by a flatbed tow truck. A heavy duty wrecker took the roll off container truck away.

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Ridgewood Police will be Conducting Impaired Driving Enforcement Crackdown as Part of Statewide Year End Campaign

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file photo by Boyd Loving
December 7th 2015

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,  Law enforcement officials from the Ridgewood Police Department will be cracking down on drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs as part of the annual end of year “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” statewide campaign. Beginning December 11, 2015 and continuing through January 1, 2016, local and state law enforcement officials will conduct saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints looking for motorists who may be driving while intoxicated.

The national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” effort endeavors to raise awareness about the dangers of impaired driving through a combination of high-visibility enforcement and public education. This is a critical law enforcement program that can save lives during a time of the year when impaired driving traditionally increases by nearly 10 percent. People that choose to get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol or using drugs pose a grave danger to all roadway users and this initiative is designed to bring attention to this important issue.

Last year, 27% of all motor vehicle fatalities in New Jersey were alcohol-related. Nationally, more than 10,000 people die each year in drunk driving crashes. The societal cost associated with these crashes is estimated to be $37 billion annually.

Law enforcement agencies participating in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over 2015 Year End Holiday Crackdown offer the following advice for holiday season:

• Take mass transit, a taxicab, or ask a sober friend to drive you home.
• Spend the night where the activity or party is held.
• If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact law enforcement. Your actions may save someone’s life, and inaction could cost a life.
• Always buckle-up, every ride. It’s your best defense against an impaired driver.
• If you are intoxicated and traveling on foot, the safest way to get home is to take a cab or have a sober friend or family member drive or escort you to your doorstep.
• Be responsible. If someone you know is drinking, do not let that person get behind the wheel.

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Traffic Alert Friday 12/4/15 Downtown for the Holidays starting at 4:30pm today

ridgewoodtreelighting thridgewoodblog.net

Traffic Alert Friday 12/4/15 Downtown for the Holidays

East Ridgewood Ave will be closed Between North Maple Ave and Broad Street starting at 4:30PM for the Downtown for the Holidays-30th Anniversary Celebration. Expect heavy traffic delays surrounding the business district due to the road closures.

Event Description

30th Year Celebration !
Santa is in Ridgewood-bring your list!
Lots of Music and entertainment !

Early Event – “for the kids”5:30 – 6:30 – Santa in the park for the “wee tots” along with live entertainment by the “clock”, in the stores and restaurants along E. Ridgewood Ave featuring the RHS Marching Band, RHS Ridgewood Carolers, RHS Orchestra, Taekwondo All In

NEW THIS YEAR –
5:30-9pm Special Feature-Holiday Express Train-bring the family and ride this fun train up and down E. Ridgewood Ave.

7-8 – “on stage live”Live entertainment and tree lighting Celebration featuring performances by Porch Light Productions, From the Top Studio, Art of Motion, Arthur Murray Dance Studio, Santa and Much More!

8-9 “Merriment on E. Ridgewood Ave Shh – Santa will be back in the parkLots of music on the avenueRestaurant reservation suggested

Specials going on during the Tree Lighting…
Femmebot has music and 10% store wide sale until 9pm on 12/4/15
Alex and Ani having in-store events-

THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING SPONSORSfor the 30th Anniversary Celebration

Columbia Bank
Valley Health System
Van Dyk Health Care
Freedom
BankCareOne at Ridgewood
Ridgewood News
Boiling Spring Saving Bank
PNC Wealth Management
Park West Tavern & LoftWest
Bergen Mental Healthcare
ConnectOne Bank
Ulrich, Inc.
C.C. VanEmburgh Funeral Home
Pearl Restaurant
Daily Treat Restaurant
Atlantic Stewardship Bank
Bagelicious
Country Pancake House and Restaurant
Life Opportunities
Unlimited
Pink Bungalow
Hillmann Lighting
Lazarus & Williamson
The Woman’s Club of Ridgewood
Christ Church
Cupcakes by Carousel
Femmebot Clothing
Beauty Plus Salon
Gold Fish Swim School
Ridgewood Public Library
West Side Nursery School
Ridgewood YMCA
Ridgewood Party Rental

For more details, please call us at 201-445-2600 or email [email protected] www.experienceridgewood.com

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Cyclist Hit on North Van Dien in Ridgewood

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photo courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook

December 2,2015

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, A male juvenile who was riding a bicycle sustained a non-life threatening leg injury after being struck by a pickup truck at the intersection of North Van Dien and Linwood Avenues in Ridgewood on Tuesday, 12/01 at about 4:45 PM. The victim was transported by ambulance to The Valley Hospital. Ridgewood PD, EMS, and FD units responded to the scene.

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Ridgewood Detective Douglas Williams retires after 29 years

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photo courtesy of the Ridgewood PD

December 1,2015

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, We would like to wish farewell to Ridgewood Detective Douglas Williams who finished up his last day of work today after 29 years. Doug joined the Ridgewood police Department in 1986, prior to working in Ridgewood Detective Williams worked for the New Jersey Department of Parole and the Union County Prosecutors Office. Good luck in your retirement Doug.

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Overturned tractor-trailer closes Saddle River Rd and West Glen in Ridgewood

Overturned tractor-trailer

photo courtesy of the Ridgewood Police
December 1,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Police report that the Route 17 N. exit ramp to E. Saddle River Rd. and E. Glen Ave. will remain closed due to a cleanup from an overturned tractor-trailer.  Route 17 southbound traffic delayed due to rubbernecking

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Ridgewood police officer Robert Hirsch handles his last assignment, escorting the Christmas tree

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photo courtesy of the Ridgewood PD

Ridgewood police officer Robert Hirsch handles his last assignment, escorting the Christmas tree

November 30,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, After 30 years of serving the Village Of Ridgewood police officer Robert Hirsch handles his last assignment, escorting the Christmas tree from Dorchester Avenue to North Broad Street where it will be lit this Friday during the annual downtown for the holidays celebration. Officer Hirsch joined the Ridgewood Police Department in 1985 prior to that he worked for New Jersey Transit as a police officer. We wish Bobby the best in his retirement.

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Minivan Broadsided in Black Friday Collision on East Glen in Ridgewood

mini van
photo courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook
Minivan Broadsided in Black Friday Collision on East Glen in Ridgewood
November 27,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, A mother and her two (2) young daughters escaped injury on Friday afternoon, 11/27, when their mini van was broadsided by an SUV at the intersection of East Glen Avenue and Northern Parkway in Ridgewood. Both vehicles were heavily damaged and removed from the scene by separate flatbed tow trucks. The incident occurred at approximately 1:15 PM.
Ridgewood PD, EMS and FD units responded. A minor crash related fluid spill was attended to by fire department personnel while the EMS unit evaluated the occupants of both vehicles. One (1) summons, for the disregard of a stop sign, was issued to one (1) of the drivers by a Ridgewood PD patrol officer.

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Labor attorney negotiating new PBA contract, not Village of Ridgewood Manager

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file photo by Boyd Loving
November 27,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

The Ridgewood Blog just received this information –

Ridgewood NJ, In a departure of past practice, Village Council members have hired Mark Ruderman, Esq. and the firm of Ruderman and Glickman to negotiate a contract between the Village of Ridgewood and members of Ridgewood Policeman’s Benevolent Assocation (PBA) Local 20.  Village Council members authorized the hiring of Mr. Ruderman and his firm under a no-bid contract, expiring on June 30, 2016, for an amount not to exceed $75,000; this was done via Resolution 15-182, passed on June 24, 2015.

For as many years as those who have been around for many years can remember, the PBA contract was always negotiated by the Village Manager, with labor attorney review only after the contract terms were accepted by both parties.  The staff of The Ridgewood Blog wondered why the sudden change, and why Mr. Ruderman.  Then we ran across this article:

https://www.northjersey.com/news/after-years-long-battle-tenafly-signs-police-contract-with-no-raises-for-three-years-1.1427309

So in a nutshell, Mr. Ruderman was successful in forcing the Tenafly PBA into arbitration, which resulted in a 3-year no raise contract, and a scaled back pay system that forces their members to work longer before reaching maximum pay.  What the news article didn’t say was that Mr. Ruderman charged Tenafly $225,000 for his legal/negotiation services.  Although the Ridgewood contract has a cap of $75,000, the cap expires on June 30, 2016.  If terms are not reached by then, an opportunity may exist for Mr. Ruderman to either achieve or exceed his Tenafly payout.

The hiring of Mr. Ruderman begs the staff of The Ridgewood Blog to ask what role, if any, Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld and Director of Human Resources Sharyn Matthews are playing in the PBA negotiations, particularly since each of their roles include labor negotiations as a responsibility.

Bottom line – Why are taxpayers shelling out $92,000 a year in salary plus benefits for an HR Director who can’t negotiate?  And then another $75,000 for someone who can?  Good grief Charlie Brown!

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Thanksgiving Eve South Maple Collision in Ridgewood

car crash maple ave

courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page
November 25,2015

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, A Honda Civic and a Toyota Corolla collided at the intersection of South Maple Avenue and Dayton Street in Ridgewood on Wednesday afternoon at approximately 1 PM. Ridgewood PD, EMS and FD units responded to the collision.

Both drivers refused medical aid, but each of the vehicles was heavily damaged, requiring their removal by separate flatbed tow trucks. Ridgewood FD personnel attended to a minor crash related fluid spill. There was no word at the scene as to whether any summonses were issued by police.

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Please Drive Carefully : Hiding behind trees to trap speeders

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file photo by Boyd Loving

I recently noticed that Ridgewood police have used to their advantage new pine trees that have been planted in front of the Bergen County utility shed on Franklin Turnpike behind a park-and-ride lot. This provides perfect cover for their vehicles to monitor speeding cars heading north on Franklin Turnpike.

Prior to the tree planting, police would monitor from this location but be visible. Certainly their visibility deterred or reduced the likelihood of speeders. Now their camouflage doesn’t deter, but it facilitates the choice to speed and for Ridgewood to issue summonses and garner revenue.

So is the Ridgewood Police Department in the business of deterring vehicular violations and related accident risks, or only issuing summonses? How would police feel if I was able to get permission from one of the property owners to post a sign on Franklin Turnpike stating, “Speed trap ahead hiding behind the trees — slow down.”

It seems to me this would be a win/win for all drivers, reducing the likelihood of speeding and preventing accidents. But revenues may be reduced.

Gene Ret
Ridgewood, Nov. 23

https://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-letters-to-the-editor/the-record-letters-wednesday-nov-25-1.1462185?page=2

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Ridgewood PBA Honors 6 retiring Village Police Officers

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November 18,2015

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ ,Join the Ridgewood PBA Local 20 on Monday December 7th 2015 as we honor six officers retiring from the Ridgewood Police Department with a dinner and Comedy show at Seasons Restaurant in Washington Township.

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Attempted Luring Reported Near Ridgewood Whole Foods

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file photo by Boyd Loving
November 18,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Poloice report that on Monday, November 10, 2015 a juvenile walking on Godwin Avenue near the Whole Foods market reported that a vehicle traveling West on Godwin Avenue on the opposite side of the street described as a turquoise blue SUV (sport utility vehicle) or Crossover slowed as it passed him. The juvenile was not positive that the operator was speaking to him when he shouted “Get in the car, get in the car” from across the street. There was no attempted physical contact by the alleged actor.

The operator of the vehicle was described as a Hispanic male in his twenties or thirties, clean shaven. Responding patrol units were unable to locate the vehicle, the operator or any witness. We would like remind parents to council their children concerning any contact made with strangers and the possible dangers involved. All incidents, even those where the intentions of the stranger are not clear, should be immediately reported to the police. Quick police notification increases the opportunity for the police to investigate the incidents effectively and determine if any actual threat might be involved. The matter is being investigated by the detective bureau.