Traffic Alert Construction Project S. Washington Ave & New Bridge Rd

On Monday, March 3, 2014, PSE&G will begin a road project in the area of S. Washington Ave and New Bridge Rd.  The project is anticipated to last for several weeks, there will be two teams working simultaneously in the area.  Each day the work will begin at approximately 8:30 am and end at approximately 5:00 pm. 

On S. Washington Ave, trenches will be dug on the east side of the roadway between Liberty Rd and New Bridge Rd.  On New Bridge Rd, trenches will be dug on the south side of the roadway between S. Washington Ave and the railroad tracks. 

 

Due to the construction, lane changes and turn restrictions will take place for the duration of the project.  Both roadways will experience prolonged partial lane closures resulting in a delay in traffic flow. 

At this time, traffic on S. Washington Ave is anticipated to continue to flow in both north and south directions however, the work will dictate the need for additional changes with the flow of traffic and lane closures.

Officers will be on site daily to ensure that traffic flows as smooth as possible, as well as maintaining a safe work environment for the PSE&G workers.

Motorists are encouraged to find alternate travel routes during the construction project to avoid delays.

 
Any questions please contact Lt. Stapleton of the Bergenfield Traffic Bureau at 201-387-4000 x 4008.

ALERT: SNOW EMERGENCY ISSUED REMAINS IN EFFECT

UPDATE: February 24, 2014
Snow Emergency remains in effect in the Borough.

ALERT: SNOW EMERGENCY ISSUED REMAINS IN EFFECT



The DPW continues to remove snow from street corners and other areas of the roadways  to improve visibility for motorists and keep traffic conditions safe and flowing well. With a recent warming trend and some rains, it has helped to begin to melt off the snow mounds that had developed and turned into ice. As this warmer trend continues it should greatly help in creating wider traffic lanes for drivers and for residents along side streets. However, colder air is expected to return this week, February 24-28, along with a storm system that could bring additional precipitation in the form of accumulating snow. The snow emergency will remain in effect in the Borough of Bergenfield since many areas are still not wide enough for free flow of traffic. The Bergenfield Police are asking the public's cooperation in keeping vehicles in driveways and off the streets. This is especially true for areas where parking will make it impossible to safely pass, especially for a neighbor to back out of a driveway or for emergency vehicles such as fire apparatus which are larger.
The Bergenfield Police are enforcing the no parking ban under the snow emergency particularly under section D of the 299-12 ordinance. This states that the snow emergency remains in effect until the streets have been plowed sufficiently and to the extent that parking will not interfere with the normal flow of traffic.
  
Officers, coming upon vehicles, or being dispatched to traffic complaints involving vehicles parked that are interfering with traffic, have made attempts to contact owners of vehicles that are parked and restricting or interfering with traffic flow. If the owner cannot be located, the vehicle will be summonsed for violating the ordinance and then towed to impound. Officers have been very understanding of the difficulties experienced by citizens this winter season with storm after storm. However, without enforcement, the traffic situation would be worse for everyone. We thank all those residents who have cooperated during this difficult period with both the Police Department, Department of Public Works and all Emergency Service Units of the Borough.

The snow emergency declared on February 3, 2014 remains in effect. It will remain in effect until further notice which shall include until after the snow has ceased or until the streets have been plowed sufficiently and to the extent that parking will not interfere with the normal flow of traffic.

Borough Ordinance 299-12. Snow emergency.

A. A snow emergency shall exist whenever snow has fallen and the accumulation is such that it covers the street or highway. In addition to this, when weather conditions cause a state or condition of the street that is hazardous or dangerous to vehicular or pedestrian traffic even if the entire street or highway is not covered by snow shall constitute a snow emergency when declared by the Chief of Police, or in his absence, the ranking police officer in charge.


B. Definition: As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

SNOW: Any precipitation depositing any accumulation and shall be deemed to include snow, sleet, hail, ice, freezing rain or any combination thereof.


SNOW TIRES: Tires with or without studs and having treads designed for use in the snow which tread shall be of sufficient depth to accomplish the purpose for which the tire was designed.


C. Snow emergency declared. Upon the occurrence of a snow emergency as hereinabove defined, the Chief of Police, or in his absence, the ranking police officer shall have the authority to declare such an emergency. Within one hour after such a declaration, no person shall cause, permit, allow or suffer any vehicle owned or driven by him to become stalled or immobile on any portion of any street in the Borough of Bergenfield because of the failure of the vehicle to be equipped with snow tires or chains. The Chief of Police or the ranking officer shall immediately inform the public of said snow emergency by issuing a press release to the local and metropolitan radio, television and news services.


D. Snow emergency routes. All streets of the Borough of Bergenfield are snow emergency routes upon which no parking shall be allowed during a snow emergency, and such parking prohibition, shall remain in effect until after the snow has ceased or until the streets have been plowed sufficiently and to the extent that parking will not interfere with the normal flow of traffic or until otherwise terminated by the Chief of Police, or in his absence, the ranking officer, in the same manner as declared in above.

Release of Composite Sketch: Suspect in Possible Luring

Suspect: Possible Luring. Sketch by Det. K. Doheny Bergenfield PD

Composite sketch of suspect in suspicious incident/possible luring occurred on Tuesday February 18, 2014 between 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM in the area of Palisade Avenue and South Taylor Street, South Woodside Avenue and South Summit Street.Suspect followed a 13 year old female in his vehicle and then approached in same vehicle asking her if she wanted a ride. Female declined and ran from suspect vehicle but reports the SUV circled the block and drove by again saying something to her as he drove by.

Updated information: Suspect is described as male, white, age 30-35 years, hair color is now described as red-colored with a matching red color mustache. Freckles to cheeks of face.
Vehicle is still described as a black, newer model, in good condition, SUV type. No make, model, or license plate at this time.

If anyone has information on this incident or about the suspect, please contact the Bergenfield Police Department at 201-387-4000. The suspect is wanted for questioning only at this time.

Suspicious Incident - Possible Luring

Suspicious Vehicle-Luring
 

On February 19, a 13-year-old female reported being followed by black, four-door SUV, operated by white male with orange-colored hair and same color mustache, between 30-35 years of age. The incident occurred on February 18 between 5:30 and 6 pm in the area of S. Summit and S. Taylor streets. The car operator approached the female while in the vehicle and asked if she wanted a ride. He is also reported to have circled around onto S. Woodside Ave.  Anyone with information on this incident is urged to call the Bergenfield Police Department at 201-387-4000. Tri-Community Crime-Stoppers is offering a reward for information that leads to an arrest. The case will be investigated further. Any additional details on the incident will be released when available.

Motor Vehicle Snow and or Ice removal law

Motor Vehicle Snow and or Ice removal law 

NJSA 39:3-77.1   Any operator of a motor vehicle has a legal duty to make all reasonable efforts to remove accumulated ice or snow from exposed surfaces prior to operating a motor vehicle. “Surfaces” include, but are not limited to, the hood, trunk, windshield, windows, and roof of the motor vehicle (or a trailer being drawn by a motor vehicle).

ICE & SNOW: Remove It Before You Go 

ALERT: SNOW EMERGENCY ISSUED REMAIN IN EFFECT

UPDATE: February 15, 2014
Snow Emergency remains in effect in the Borough.

ALERT: SNOW EMERGENCY ISSUED REMAINS IN EFFECT

The snow emergency declared on February 3, 2014, and continued through snow storms that followed, including the storm of February 13, remains in effect. It will remain in effect until further notice which shall include until after the snow has ceased or until the streets have been plowed sufficiently and to the extent that parking will not interfere with the normal flow of traffic.

Borough Ordinance 299-12. Snow emergency.
A. A snow emergency shall exist whenever snow has fallen and the accumulation is such that it covers the street or highway. In addition to this, when weather conditions cause a state or condition of the street that is hazardous or dangerous to vehicular or pedestrian traffic even if the entire street or highway is not covered by snow shall constitute a snow emergency when declared by the Chief of Police, or in his absence, the ranking police officer in charge.

B. Definition: As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
SNOW: Any precipitation depositing any accumulation and shall be deemed to include snow, sleet, hail, ice, freezing rain or any combination thereof.

SNOW TIRES: Tires with or without studs and having treads designed for use in the snow which tread shall be of sufficient depth to accomplish the purpose for which the tire was designed.

C. Snow emergency declared. Upon the occurrence of a snow emergency as hereinabove defined, the Chief of Police, or in his absence, the ranking police officer shall have the authority to declare such an emergency. Within one hour after such a declaration, no person shall cause, permit, allow or suffer any vehicle owned or driven by him to become stalled or immobile on any portion of any street in the Borough of Bergenfield because of the failure of the vehicle to be equipped with snow tires or chains. The Chief of Police or the ranking officer shall immediately inform the public of said snow emergency by issuing a press release to the local and metropolitan radio, television and news services.

D. Snow emergency routes. All streets of the Borough of Bergenfield are snow emergency routes upon which no parking shall be allowed during a snow emergency, and such parking prohibition, shall remain in effect until after the snow has ceased or until the streets have been plowed sufficiently and to the extent that parking will not interfere with the normal flow of traffic or until otherwise terminated by the Chief of Police, or in his absence, the ranking officer, in the same manner as declared in above.

Snow emergency declared in Bergenfield

The Bergenfield Police Department has declared a snow emergency, which will be in effect until further notice due to the Winter Storm Warning issued this date. 10 to 14 inches of snow is expected to accumulate with strong wind gusts and extreme cold temperatures.

All are urged to remain indoors. If travel is necessary, please use extreme caution. No overnight parking will be permitted on the streets this evening to allow for plowing of the roadways.

Borough Ordinance 299-12. Snow emergency. 

A. A snow emergency shall exist whenever snow has fallen and the accumulation is such that it covers the street or highway. In addition to this, when weather conditions cause a state or condition of the street that is hazardous or dangerous to vehicular or pedestrian traffic even if the entire street or highway is not covered by snow shall constitute a snow emergency when declared by the Chief of Police, or in his absence, the ranking police officer in charge.

B. Definition: As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
     
SNOW: Any precipitation depositing any accumulation and shall be deemed to include snow, sleet, hail, ice, freezing rain or any combination thereof.

SNOW TIRES: Tires with or without studs and having treads designed for use in the snow which tread shall be of sufficient depth to accomplish the purpose for which the tire was designed.

C. Snow emergency declared. Upon the occurrence of a snow emergency as hereinabove defined, the Chief of Police, or in his absence, the ranking police officer shall have the authority to declare such an emergency. Within one hour after such a declaration, no person shall cause, permit, allow or suffer any vehicle owned or driven by him to become stalled or immobile on any portion of any street in the Borough of Bergenfield because of the failure of the vehicle to be equipped with snow tires or chains. The Chief of Police or the ranking officer shall immediately inform the public of said snow emergency by issuing a press release to the local and metropolitan radio, television and news services.

D. Snow emergency routes. All streets of the Borough of Bergenfield are snow emergency routes upon which no parking shall be allowed during a snow emergency, and such parking prohibition, shall remain in effect until after the snow has ceased or until the streets have been plowed sufficiently and to the extent that parking will not interfere with the normal flow of traffic or until otherwise terminated by the Chief of Police, or in his absence, the ranking officer, in the same manner as declared in above.

           

New Jersey’s Move Over Law

While New Jersey’s Move Over Law, legislation enacted to protect roadside emergency workers, was signed into law more than five years ago on January 27, 2009, there are still many in our state who are either unaware of the law and its requirements or neglect to follow it. 

The law requires that operators of motor vehicles – whether passenger vehicles or commercial trucks – must reduce their speed and change lanes when approaching vehicles with emergency lights. These vehicles include police, fire and medical services as well as highway maintenance, tow trucks and other official motorist aid vehicles with amber emergency lights. If possible to safely do so, vehicles must move over a lane to allow for an empty lane between traveling traffic and the emergency vehicle. If moving over is not a safe possibility, drivers must slow down to a speed below the posted limit before passing the emergency vehicles.

“Motorists approaching stationery flashing lights, whether an ambulance, police, fire or tow truck, must heed the warning and safely move over to another lane, or slow down below the posted speed limit,” then Division of Highway Traffic Safety Director Pam Fischer said at the time the legislation was passed. “Remember, emergency responders are there to help. Give them the space they need, so they can work safely.” 

New Jersey was the 44th state in the US to pass a Move Over Law.

According to Move Over America, more than 150 law enforcement officers were killed after being struck by vehicles along American highways from 1999 to 2010. 

Violations can cost between $100 and $500 in fines. But even greater than the cost of the fines that can result from failure to abide by this law, is the cost of the lives that can be taken.

For more information about the Move Over Law, visit nj.gov/oag/hts/move-over-law/.