Photo credit: Boyd A. Loving One injured when SUV careens off Route 17 into snowbank
February 15,2013
Boyd A. Loving
10:28 PM
Ridgewood NJ , One person was injured and transported to The Valley Hospital following a 8:55 PM Saturday accident in which a Ford SUV traveling southbound on Route 17 in Ridgewood careened off the roadway and came to rest on top of a snowbank in front of 555 Route 17, South. The heavily damaged vehicle was freed from its perch by a flatbed tow truck, which removed it from the scene. The right lane of Route 17 was closed for approximately 60 minutes to facilitate accident investigation, vehicle removal, and debris clean up. Traffic moved freely through the area throughout the time. Ridgewood PD handled the accident investigation; Ridgewood EMS transported the victim by ambulance.
Ridgewood Police Warning – Potential Dangers of Playing in Giant Snow Piles
The accumulation of the past snow storms have formed giant piles of snow at the Graydon Pool parking lot and in other areas throughout the Village. These piles are potentially exciting places for children to play, not realizing the potential danger. As the temperatures change and at some point warm up, the snow can shift and the inner structure compacts to trap anyone climbing on the piles. We encourage parents and caregivers to discuss with their children the dangers of climbing on and playing in these snow piles, so that they remain safe in the winter weather
An uptick in crimes in Ridgewood, but village is still on safest lists
Thursday February 13, 2014, 10:57 AM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
The Ridgewood News
Ridgewood witnessed an increase in overall crimes in 2012, according to preliminary statistics for the state’s annual Uniform Crime Report (UCR), but others maintain the village’s reputation as one of the safest municipalities in the country.
The UCR is based on information provided to the New Jersey State Police by individual law enforcement agencies. In addition to statistics, the report also calculates crime rates and trends.
Representatives at the state police’s Uniform Crime Reporting Unit noted this week that the 2012 UCR has not yet been released, and statistics compiled and posted on the AG’s office website are still considered unofficial. The UCR has historically been released in the late fall with the previous year’s data, but state police have said they were behind schedule.
Agencies have already submitted 2013 crime data, though the state has not yet conducted a review of that information.
But based on the 2012 numbers, Ridgewood reported 346 incidents of crime in 2012, 25 percent more than the amount filed in 2011.
The most recent UCR statistics also show the total number of violent crimes in Ridgewood increased to 11 in 2012, up from eight incidents in 2011. In 2012, seven assaults, three robberies and one rape were reported.
The AG’s office defines a violent crime as any murder, rape, aggravated assault or robbery.
Non-violent crimes in Ridgewood also spiked through the course of 2012 – burglaries jumped by 11 percent while the number of reported larcenies increased by 45 percent, with 210 cases in 2012 compared with 144 the previous year.
The police department also recorded the theft of eight motor vehicles in 2012, three more than in 2011. Ridgewood’s 2012 reports buck the trend of decreasing overall crime.
First I would like to thank our residents for demonstrating concern and compassion for the neighbors. Throughout the day I witnessed neighbors helping neighbors. We have experienced a significant snowfall thus far with another 3-6 inches anticipated by tomorrow morning, so I am making the following requests;
I would encourage those of you with snow blowers to lend a hand to your elderly and special needs neighbors.
Please check on your neighbors to be sure they are okay. Please continue to reframe from driving unless absolutely necessary, as road conditions will continue to be dangerous.
Please do not park your vehicles on the roadway through noon tomorrow, so our plow crews can continue to clear our streets.
Please do not throw and/or push snow onto the roadways. Further information is available of the Village of Ridgewood website www.ridgewoodnj.net
I thank you for your continued cooperation Chief John M. Ward
Ridgewood debates size of police force
Thursday February 6, 2014, 9:35 AM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER
The Record
RIDGEWOOD — The Village Council this week continued discussion of a possible code amendment that would increase the number of patrolmen permitted on the police force.
No action was taken following Wednesday night’s meeting, which came on the heels of Tuesday’s confirmation from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office that it will be investigating the police chief’s recent attempts to hire two men, surpassing the mandated limit.
“We are reviewing [the chief’s decision] not as a criminal matter but solely as a complaint against a chief which, under Attorney General Guidelines, can only be investigated by the Prosecutor’s Office,” Prosecutor John Molinelli said in a statement.
Police Chief John Ward asked for an inquest by the prosecutor’s office last Thursday — the morning after he appeared before the Village Council to support a retroactive amendment to the code, augmenting the number of officers to 32.
Currently, the department can only have 30 patrol officers.
Readers comment on Council’s Turn around on Police Recruit Hiring
Yes there was a meeting…. Unfortunately it won’t make the Amigo control news, can’t be printing retractions or acknowledging council actually to blame for mistake. it was very interesting to see the council do such a total 180 from last week. They were actually civil for a change. Maybe because one of the amigos didn’t make it there until the very end.. Residents came forward in unanimous support for Chief Ward slamming several of the council for their conduct towards the chief, for blaming him when it was their mistake and asking for the council to not punish the two young men who are the actual victim’s in this mess.
Even the lone opposition from last week was back peddling from his accusations and called for the two young men to hired.
Thank you Bernie Walsh for acknowledging the mistake was on the part of the council.
The Council agreed in principle to change the Ordinance. The Mayor came in 5 min before the end of the meeting. Nothing concrete said about reissuing the promise of employment to the two young men. As mention at the meeting the Village sent letters to the two candidates residing the promise of employment early this week. So I guess they fix have the problem but the candidates are sill in limbo.
New coffee stand will brew at Ridgewood train station
Tuesday February 4, 2014, 10:03 AM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
The Ridgewood News
The Village of Ridgewood is now accepting bids from vendors who are interested in leasing and operating a new coffee stand at the Ridgewood train station, which has been without that particular service since 2009.
The deadline to submit proposals is 11 a.m. Feb. 20, when all public bids will be opened.
Ridgewood: Snow Total for Event (6:00 PM EST) – 8.0 inches Retweeted Bergen County OEM (@BergenOEM)
Ridgewood Police Reminder : Ice & Snow – Remove It Before You Go. It’s the law in New Jersey!
Remember to remove all ice and snow from your vehicle before driving, especially from the hood, windows and roof. It’s the law in New Jersey! Motorists who fail to do so face fines of $25 to $75 for each offense, regardless of whether the ice and snow is dislodged from the vehicle. If flying ice or snow causes property damage or injury to others, motorists face fines of $200 to $1,000 for each offense.
Ridgewood Police Burglar makes window entrance
February 4,2014
Ridgewood Nj, Ridgewood Police reported that on January , 21: at 3:50 a.m., an Oak Street resident reported that while he was asleep on the couch, a male party entered his home through a window. The person was confronted and ran out of the rear door with two laptops and a cellular phone.
A search of the area was conducted with a K-9 unit. The matter is under investigation by the Ridgewood Police Detective Bureau and the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department Bureau of Criminal Investigations.
Reader says No matter who gets hired, someone else will be upset because they didn’t get the job
Its not a perfect world but operating within the civil service rules is most ‘transparent’ way to deal with hiring and promotions.
Read the Bergen Record sometime. Constant lawsuits in Paramus over promotions.
Police departments have many recurring ‘themes’ that happen in every one.
Officers dislike each other because of ‘perceived slights’.
Who get a better schedule?
Who got the better squad car?
Who got promoted ‘over’ someone who ‘thought’ they deserved it?
Who got more ‘details/side jobs’ (PSEG work etc)
Who got ‘credit’ for an arrest?
Who got a better office?
Who’s ‘brownosing’ the brass and getting preferable treatment. ETC ETC.
Then it gets personal. Who is fooling around with someone’s ex-wife, ex-girlfriend etc.
Its a fact of life in law enforcement.
Its not a perfect system, but civil service has more guidelines that must be followed than a department that has not decided to operate under these rules.
No matter who gets hired, someone else will be upset because they didn’t get the job.
Such is life in the real world.
Suck it up and move on.
Reader : Our Village Council has a history of reacting, rather than acting, to issues
Our Village Council has a history of reacting, rather than acting, to issues. Those offers never should have gone out without the proper approvals, and if HR and/or the VC missed it (just like they missed the PSE&G letter about the hundred foot poles) then it’s their fault.
Failure of management. They could have resolved the issue at the meeting and gotten it off the table but they drag it out, just like they drag everything out. If I read one more article about Valley Hospital I’ll scream. Make a decision already. You’re losing 7 officers, the chief wants to replace with 4, and if you don’t do the hires you’ll make up the coverage in overtime costs. Put a pencil to paper and figure it out.
The ‘nepotism’ clause requires VC approval so if the recruits are well qualified and the hires are needed then what is the problem? I feel very bad for the young guys affected due to this mismanagement and a quick resolution should be sought.
All I can say is that if you don’t like what went on here then sign the RECALL PETITION when it comes around and believe me it coming around. A councilperson that signs a Ordinance and then claims that it was someone else fault does not deserve to be in office. Take responsibility for action.
New Jersey*
Const. Art. 1, §2(b)
Any elected official in the state or representing the state in the United States Congress. Includes local officials.
Recall may not commence during first year in office.
No specific grounds are required
Time for gathering signatures is 160 days.
Signature requirement is number equal to 25% of the registered voters of the district
Reader says all Village departments are understaffed
Yes they do. All Dept are understaffed. The new council had almost two years to do the right thing. We all suffer for the political line that we are keeping taxes down.The reason our taxes are high is because the BOE.
Although I some times break balls with he the DPW poster he is right in saying the they are under staffed. What I disagree with the posting is that he attacked other dept. I feel his frustration but that’s what this new council want ( in fighting) to distract the residents.
In the 70s and 80s ever dept was staffed higher then it is now.That will never happen again but it does mean that were have to drop to the levels that we have now. You know the saying. A house divided cannot stand. That’s their plan.
2 Toyota SUVs collide in pre Super Bowl Ridgewood Crash
February 2,2014
Boyd A. Loving
8:45 PM
Ridgewood NJ, A Toyota Highlander collided with a Toyota Sequoia at the intersection of North Walnut Street and Robinson Lane just prior to the Super Bowl kickoff on Sunday evening.
The Highlander’s driver was transported by ambulance to The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood with non life threatening neck & back injuries; the Sequoia’s driver was uninjured. The collision’s force propelled both vehicles head on into immovable objects; the Highlander wound up smashed into a utility pole and the Sequoia wedged against a large tree. Each car sustained heavy front end damage; both were removed by flatbed tow trucks. Air bags deployed in both vehicles during the crash. A stop sign was destroyed in the crash and the utility pole requires replacement.
RIdgewood FD personnel attended to a minor fluid spill resultant from the crash. One summons was issued in connection with the incident; police at the scene did not reveal its nature.
Reader says No Wonder People don’t Speak up Their afraid of payback
That makes it right? Your answer is don’t run for office because there will political retribution not only on you which I,m sure he new would happen but it ok to extend this to your family. These are the moral people you want in office .
Sounds like a dictatorship. Let me do what I want or I will punish you and your family.
No wonder people don’t speak up. Their afraid of payback. What a country. Hear that everyone if you don’t like what the your government doing don’t try to change it because they will get you. Just keep your mouth shut and just let do what ever they want.
