Department partners with Rotary Club for community service

On Tuesday, September 24, 2013, Bergenfield Police Chief Michael Carr, Capt. Cathy Madalone, and Lt. Jerry Stapleton, were invited to a meet and greet hosted by the Bergenfield-Dumont Rotary Club at the TD Bank, 126 North Washington Avenue, Bergenfield. To encourage and foster the ideal of service, the Rotary Club invited the BPD to speak on programs and community service events to help better the community. The Rotary Club organization was formed in 1905 by Paul P. Harris. This Chicago attorney started the service organization with the purpose to provide "a place where professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friendships," according to the group's website. The group got its name, the Rotary Club, from the practice of rotating meetings among the various member's offices. Going forward, the Bergenfield-Dumont Rotary Club and BPD will partner and put together programs such as Child Safety Seat Inspections, Bicycle Registrations and Bike Helmet Awareness, to name just a few. More information to come on these events. Thank you to members of the Rotary Club for inviting BPD and we look forward to the partnership and service we will provide to the community

Stay connected during emergencies with Nixle

Recent messages sent to Bergenfield residents using Nixle.

As we posted earlier this month, September is National Preparedness Month. The severe weather that has hit our area in the last several years has given new meaning to being prepared. We all know too well that being prepared to survive for several days without power and being unable to get gas and supplies in local stores is a reality. 

One of the best ways to be prepared for a storm is to take advantage of ways to stay connected to local emergency services. One of the greatest tools we have to reach residents with alerts and advisories - particularly during times of an emergency - is Nixle.

Register by filling out the box like this on the right side of our blog.

Nixle is a communication system that connects residents with the agencies that serve and protect them.

Residents can use Nixle to receive information ranging from critical alerts to community news. Additionally, residents can choose how they receive the information - by SMS (text message) email, over the web or by mobile applications.

Before, during and after the severe storms that have hit our area in recent years, the Borough of Bergenfield Administration, Office of Emergency Management and we at the police department, sent out multiple alerts and advisory messages regarding road/traffic conditions, storm updates and other information to keep residents up-to-date. Even when power is lost, those with cellular phones can still receive text messages. Additionally, in situations unlike a hurricane or similar event, Nixle is utilized to alert residents of other events, situations or important information.

For more information, visit Nixle.com. Also, you can register here, right now, with the convenient sign-up box located on the right-hand side of our blog.

In addition to Nixle, make sure to take advantage of the other forms of communication we use to reach out to residents during emergencies. Follow us on Twitter, Like Us on Facebook and check this blog for updates, alerts, advisories and other police-related information.

9/11 Remembrance Ceremony

Chief Michael Carr plays the bagpipes while leading the Bergenfield Police Honor Guard.

Elected officials and members of the police and fire departments were in attendance.

A small service in observance of the12th anniversary of September 11th was held last night at Cooper's Pond. Members of the borough police and fire departments, the Bergenfield High School Band and the VFW Honor Guard were in attendance.The Bergenfield Mayor and Council were also in attendance at the Remembrance Ceremony. Reflections and a benediction were offered during the service.

Our Police Honor Guard presented our nation's colors and were led into the ceremony by Chief Michael Carr playing the bagpipes. Chief Carr performed "Amazing Grace" for those in attendance at the 9/11 memorial site in Cooper's Pond before the ceremony came to a close.

Those lost during the attacks of September 11, 2001 will never be forgotten. We will continue to honor the memory of the 2,997 victims of that day and remember all of the first responders who valiantly ran into the burning buildings as others ran out.

Remembering September 11, 2001

Twelve years ago today, on September 11, 2001, our nation was attacked when 19 hijackers took control of four commercial airplanes and flew them into the North and South towers of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. This series of four coordinated terrorist attacks resulted in the death of nearly 3,000 people and forever changed the lives of those alive to witness these tragic events.

We will never forget the victims of the September 11th attacks and will continue to honor those first responders and civilian heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice that day. 

A service in observance of the12th anniversary of September 11th will be held tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Cooper’s Pond, West Church Street and North Prospect Avenue, in Bergenfield. Police and fire departments, the Bergenfield High School Band, Boy and Girl Scouts and the VFW Honor Guard will be in attendance at the ceremony. Join us as we honor those lives lost 12 years ago.

"If You See Something, Say Something" nationwide campaign

Today, the eve of the anniversary of Sept. 11, we think it important to share information about the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s “If You See Something, Say Something” nationwide campaign. 

The public awareness campaign was created “to raise public awareness of indicators of terrorism and terrorism-related crime, and to emphasize the importance of reporting suspicious activity to the proper local law enforcement authorities."

The slogan really says it all. If you see something suspicious, say something. The best thing you can do to help deter crime and support anti-terrorism efforts is report suspicious activity to law enforcement authorities. Some examples provided by Homeland Security that people should be on the lookout for include an unattended backpack in a public area or someone trying to break into a restricted area. Homeland Security warns that factors of characteristics such as race, ethnicity, national origin or religious affiliation alone are not suspicious. “Only reports that document behavior reasonably indicative of criminal activity related to terrorism will be shared with federal partners,” Homeland Security states. 

To view a “If You See Something, Say Something,” public service announcement video, click here.

To learn more about the nationwide campaign, visit Homeland Security's website. 

Drive safely - Bergenfield schools open today!

Students in Bergenfield are returning to school today, Monday, Sept. 9, and it is even more important to remember to drive carefully now that classes are back in session.

For parents, it is important to make sure that however your child is getting to school, whether he or she is walking to school, riding a bicycle or taking a school bus, that proper safety precautions are taken. Below are some tips from the National Safety Council, which can also be found here.

Tips to make sure your child is safe while traveling to school:

Walking - Review your family's walking safety rules. Also, practice walking to school with your child.

Riding a bicycle to school - Make sure your child wearing a helmet. Teach children the rules of the road, including riding on the right side of the road in single file and coming to a complete stop before crossing the street.

Riding the bus - Go to the bus stop and teach your child how to get on and off the bus properly. Make sure your child stands at least 6 feet from the curb. If your child needs to cross the street in front of the bus to get on it, teach your child to walk on the side of the road until at lest 12 feet ahead of the bus. The child should always make sure the driver can see her/him and he/she can see the driver.

The National Safety Council also offers Back to School safety tips for motorists, which can be found here. We have also listed them below.

Sharing the road with school buses

• It is illegal to pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload school children.
• Buses use yellow flashing lights to alert motorists they are preparing to stop for children  - whether loading or unloading. Red flashing lights and an extended stop sign are signals to motorists that the bus is stopped and children are getting on or off.
• Traffic in both directions is required to stop on undivided roadways when students are entering or exiting a school bus.
• Children are in the most danger of being hit in the area 10 feet around a school bus. Stop your car far enough from the bus to allow children space to safely enter and exit the bus.
• Be alert. Children can be unpredictable and are more likely to take risks, ignore hazards or fail to look both ways when crossing the street.
• Never pass a school bus on the right.

Sharing the road with child pedestrians

• Drivers should not block crosswalks when stopped at a red light or waitnig to make a turn.
• In school zones, stop for a pedestrian crossing the road within a marked crosswalk or at an intersection with no marked crosswalk.
• Always stop when directed to do so by a school patrol sign, patrol officer or designated crossing guard.
• Take extra care to look out for children in areas other than school zones as well - such as residential areas, playgrounds and parks.
• Don't honk your horn, rev your engine or do anything to rush or scare a pedestrian in front of your car.

Sharing the road safely with child bicyclists

• When passing a bicyclist traveling in the same direction, do so slowly and leave at least 3 feet in between you and the bicycle.
• Most common causes of collisions are drivers turning left in front of an oncoming bicycle, or turning right, across the path of the bicycle.
• When your vehicle is turning left and a bicyclist is entering the intersection from the opposite direction, wait for the bicyclist to pass before making the turn. Same applies for if you are turning right and a bicyclist is approaching on the right. Allow the bicyclist to proceed through the intersection before turning.
• Watch for riders turning in front of you without signaling.
• Take extra precautions in school zones and neighborhoods where children are more commonly riding.
• Watch out for bikes coming from driveways or from behind parked cars or other obstructions.
• Check side mirrors for bicyclists before opening your door.

Fourth person charged in Bergenfield shooting

Press release from the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office: 

Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli announced today the charging of HASSAN SLY, a/k/a “Smoke,” 24 years old of Newark, New Jersey, in connection with the home invasion which occurred on September 1, 2013 in Bergenfield, NJ.  During the home invasion/robbery, two people were shot and critically wounded.  Both are now expected to fully recover. The case is being investigated by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and the Bergenfield Police Department, Detective Bureau. 

As previously reported to the press, at 9:50 a.m. on September 1, 2013, Bergenfield Police responded to a 911 call to the two-family residence at 85 Westside Avenue where both victims, Gilbert Mercado and John Newcomb, resided.  Mr. Newcomb had been shot once in the lower torso area and Mr. Mercado was shot in the chest.  The investigation has been ongoing by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Squad and the Bergenfield Police Department and has led to the previously reported arrests of Christian NOVA (dob: 5/27/1992) of 480 Liberty Road, Englewood, Zakeer ROBERTS, (dob: 2/1/89) of 84 North Munn Avenue, East Orange, NJ and Mario FERREIRA (dob: 12/30/1990) of Succasunna, NJ.

The continuing investigation has revealed that Hassan SLY was also present during the home invasion/robbery, was armed with a gun and was an active participant in the robbery/shooting. A search warrant was executed at SLY’s Newark residence yesterday with the assistance of the Newark Police Department SWAT.  However, SLY was not located. The search resulted in the recovery of a TEC-9 assault weapon as well as heroin and packaging material for heroin distribution.  It is not believed that the TEC-9 was used in the shootings. The weapon(s) used in the shooting have yet to be recovered.

At this time, Hassan SLY is wanted on charges of Attempted Murder (2 counts), Armed Robbery, Armed Burglary and various weapons offenses.  He should be considered armed and dangerous.  Anyone with information concerning his whereabouts should contact their local police immediately or the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at 201-226-5651.

The investigation is continuing at this time.  Prosecutor Molinelli states that these charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and would like to thank the members of the Bergenfield and Newark Police Departments for their assistance and cooperation.

                     

Department receives accreditation from the state

For the third time, the Bergenfield Police Department has received a Certificate of Accreditation from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police. It is an accomplishment that only one-third of the more than 470 law enforcement agencies in New Jersey have achieved.

While we officially received re-accreditation on May 9, the department was recognized at the August meeting of the Mayor and Council by Harry J. Delgado, accreditation program manager for the state chiefs association.

The process for accreditation is a rigorous one, and was led by Capt. Cathy Madalone, our department's accreditation manager and public information officer. 

To read a recent article about our achievement, click here.

New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police

New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police

 

 

 

 

September is National Preparedness Month

September is National Preparedness Month. In light of the severe weather events our area has experienced in the last few years, including Hurricane Irene and Superstorm Sandy, it is more important now that ever to be prepared in the event of an emergency – weather related or otherwise.

According to information from the National Preparedness Community, one of the most important messages of National Preparedness Month is to be prepared for an emergency by having enough supplies to be self-reliant for three days without utilities, electricity, water service, access to grocery stores or local services and even potentially without assistance from police, fire or rescue.

Four steps noted by the National Preparedness Community to aid in preparing include:

1. Be informed about emergencies that could happen and identify sources of information in your community that would be helpful before, during and after an emergency.
2. Make a plan for what to do in an emergency.
3. Build an emergency supply kit.
4. Get involved.

For more information about being prepared during an emergency, visit community.fema.gov/connect.ti/readynpm/groupHome or cdc.gov/features/beready/.

An important way you can stay informed during emergencies is by connecting with our department through the different social media platforms we use. Follow us on Twitter @bergenfieldnjpd, “Like” us on Facebook and sign up for our Nixle notifications for alerts, advisories and community-related postings. You can also keep up-to-date on information by visiting this blog.

Arrest made in weekend shooting

On Sunday, Sept. 1 around 10 a.m., Bergenfield police were called to a Westside Avenue home on reports of a shooting. Following an investigation, arrests were made in the case. Click here to read the article at NorthJersey.com.