Posted on

Bergen County Prosecutor Tells Mahwah it is a “No Go ” on Hasidic family Ban in Township Parks

Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S

July 29,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Mahwah NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal  issued a warning to the Township of Mahwah over the enforcement of Township Ordinernce 1806 limiting access to Mahwah’s recreational facilities .

Yesterday ,Grewal sent a strongly worded letter to Mahwah Township Police Chief James N. Batelli, directing him not to enforce Mahwah Township Ordinance No. 1806. Copies of the letter were also delivered to Mahwah Mayor William Laforet, members of the Mahwah Township Council, and the Mahwah Township Attorney.

In the Letter Grewal spelled out problems he had with the ordinance   including  saying , enforcement raises serious legal issues such as “racially influenced policing  ” and  “violations of individual  constitutional rights”.

The Township of Mahwah had passed the ordinance, which took effect Thursday hopping it would provide protection against what residents have called an organized incursion from Rockland County of Hasidic families who’ve recently swarmed parks in Mahwah, Montvale, Ramsey and Upper Saddle River by the busload.