Train Derailment Drill CANCELED

The train derailment drill scheduled for 3/30 has been CANCELED due to inclement weather.

Train Derailment Drill

The Bergenfield Police Department will be participating in a train derailment drill being conducted by the Bergenfield Fire Department.  The drill will be held on Sunday, June 8, 2014, at 10am in the area of West Central Ave and West Church St.  This is just an exercise, it is NOT an emergency.  Be prepared to see emergency workers in the area.  Please do not contact the police desk in regards to this drill to allow for actual emergencies to be handled.

DRILL PURPOSE

This drill is intended to test the ability of the Interboro Mutual Aid group to deploy its resources to an evolving incident and to fill a rapidly growing command structure with mutual aid resources eventually creating a Unified Command at a Type 2 incident.  This exercise is not intended to demonstrate water delivery or fire fighting capability and is essentially a 'dry run' for a future full resource deployment.  Recognizing the short comings of tabletop exercises this exercise will test the ability of the groups' leadership to effectively institute an organizational structure ahead of the utilization of resources.  Presumably all responding agencies would know how to deploy their equipment and personnel into a firefighting task such as water supply, foam support, or mass evacuation.  This exercise will test whether or not an effective command structure can be developed and positioned to supervise and guide those resources.  Expected difficulties will include radio communications / frequency coordination, unfamiliarity with the ICS for expanding incidents using a geographic command, and inability of task officers to remain focused on assignments.

For more information click here for the Fire Dept. website

Information regarding suspicious incidents reported in Bergenfield

The Bergenfield Police Department is releasing this information to keep our residents informed of suspicious incidents that were reported to us as “lurings” and have parents and children concerned for their safety. We want our residents to know that every incident is thoroughly investigated and taken seriously. I refer to these incidents as “suspicious” because the majority reported do not have the elements of the offense of Luring (NJSA 2C:13-6). 

See the link below for additional legal information.

https://www.judiciary.state.nj.us/criminal/charges/luring1.pdf

If the elements are not present as reported by the complainant, victim or witness, BPD officers will still investigate and turn the matter over to the detective bureau for follow up. Many cases have been resolved, whereby the matter was not a luring incident, but rather a motorist attempting to ask directions or in some cases, the report was fabricated by the juvenile victim/complainant. I emphasize that every case is fully investigated and when facts of the case meet the elements of the offense, the detectives waste no time in getting the information out via a media release and using our social media communication tools. 

Detectives also contact school authorities in an effort to inform as many people as possible and allow school officials to also disseminate information about the incident or incidents. In some cases that are suspicious and the motive is unknown, notifications will still be sent out seeking information so the matter can be properly investigated. Detectives also work in conjunction with surrounding police agencies and the Prosecutor’s Office to compare cases looking for any similarities. 

At this time, there have been cases reported in Bergen County, but there are no similarities in person or vehicle descriptions. Even though no similarities exist yet, the BPD requests residents to remain vigilant in their neighborhoods and when driving about the borough. If you see something suspicious or your child reports something suspicious, please contact the BPD to report it. We will investigate as I stated above. The police department does not want to alarm the community that a “child lurer” is about when no facts exist or can be corroborated. We do want people to trust that we will inform them when suspicious incidents occur and we will be quick to release information when an incident is confirmed. 

Our recent suspicious incidents are posted on our website at http://www.bergenfieldpd.org/

We have articles and media releases also posted on our blog at http://bergenfieldnjpd.blogspot.com/.

Below is great information as taken from a recent NIXLE alert sent by our neighboring township, Teaneck. I share these bullets with you as they are great tips to teach and follow:

• Parents are also urged to speak to their children about their safety whether they are in a vehicle or on foot.

• Teach your child, when s/he is outside, to always walk with at least one other person. Groups of more than two are better.

• When your child is outside the house, do not allow him or her to wear clothing or a backpack or other articles with his/her name visible on it. Children are more likely to trust someone who calls them by name.

• Teach your child to stay more than an adult arm’s length away from any car that is occupied by a person trying to talk to him/her, so that they cannot be reached by the person inside the car.

• Teach your child if someone encourages him or her to get into a car, to help find a lost pet, or to leave with them for any reason, s/he should yell “NO” as loudly as possible and run to the  closest adult whom they know and trust. Yelling "No," also called the POWER NO, indicates your child has been prepared for the situation.

• Teach your child to run in the opposite direction from the one the car is facing. It is harder to drive in reverse than straight ahead.

• Teach your child their full name, address and if, there is one, the “best” phone number (including area code) to call in case of an emergency. If you make it into a song, younger children may be more likely to remember it. If no phone number is reliable, teach your child to call 911 for help.

• Teach your older child to pay attention to the color and make of the vehicle and/or its license information (state and number), the physical characteristics of the person(s), and where s/he was when approached. Suggest that this information be written down as soon as it can be done safely.

• Remind your child to call 911 to report any attempted luring.

• Make a daily note of the clothing your child is wearing just in case you need to provide that information later. Also keep a current school picture, or other recent photograph of your child available.

"The police are the public and the public are the police; the police being only members of the public who are paid to give full time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen in the interests of community welfare and existence."

- Robert Peel

Thank you for being part of the efforts to keep our community safe. Be a crime stopper and report crimes and suspicious activity.

Please note, Tri-Community Crime Stoppers is now on Facebook.

You can also find BPD on Twitter, Facebook and receive notifications from us by signing up for Nixle.

Sincerely,

Michael T. Carr

Chief of Police

Bergen County residents warned to be wary of jury duty phone scam

The Bergen County Sheriff's Office released the following information today in an effort to warn residents of a recent scam that has come to the attention of the BCSO. Authorities warn residents to be wary of a "jury duty phone scam" being reported in Bergen County. Please read the following and share with family and friends.

The Bergen County Sheriff’s Office has received numerous complaints from Bergen County residents with regards to a jury duty phone scam. The individuals perpetrating this fraud, claim to be members of the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office and accuse residents that they have missed jury duty and that there is a warrant for their arrest. The individuals posing as Sheriff’s Office employees tell residents that in lieu of being arrested, they must provide a credit card number and/or prepaid debit card to pay a fine. Once the fine is paid, the warrant (which is fictitious) will be lifted. For example, on one occasion last week, the caller instructed the victim to transfer money using prepaid debit cards such as Green Dot Money-Pak to wire the money. 

The individuals whom are committing this fraud are utilizing pre-paid cell phones with a “201” area code designation to appear as if they are from the Bergen County area. This juror fraud is not isolated to Bergen County. It has occurred in neighboring counties as well as other states. 

“If a government agency is to contact you via phone, it will be done utilizing a bona fide publicized government phone number” said Sheriff Michael Saudino. “All notices regarding jury duty come through the mail, including summonses to report for jury duty, and failure to report for jury duty.  These notices are mailed directly from the New Jersey Judiciary Jury Management Office and give you specific information on who to contact, and how to comply with the summons.” 

The Bergen County Sheriff’s Office and local police departments are aware of this matter and are currently investigating it. Sheriff Saudino advises Bergen County residents that “You should not give out any personal information or identification over the phone, and are advised not transfer any money using prepaid debit cards on behalf of a government agency.  If you are being asked for your personal information from an unsolicited phone number, hang up immediately and notify your local authorities.”

 “No Government agency will tell you to make payments to them through a bank or wire transfer.   It is incumbent on all residents to be alert and it does not hurt to take the time to verify these incidents with us,” says Sheriff Saudino.

Anyone who believes they may also have been exposed to this or a similar type fraud is asked to contact either the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office at 201-646-2222, www.bergentip.com, or your local police department. 

If you have any questions or concerns regarding jury duty, please refer to the Bergen County Superior Court Jury Management Office at www.judiciary.state.nj.us/juryreporting/bergen, or contact the jury office at 201-527-2290.

Snow Emergency Cancelled

INCIDENT:  SNOW EMERGENCY CANCELLED   Case # 14-07616

OCCURRED: March 14, 2014    5:36 PM

LOCATION:  Borough of Bergenfield

            The snow emergency declared on February 3, 2014 under Borough Ordinance 299-12 has been canceled. Evaluation of borough streets and roadways, impacted by this winter season’s weather, has found that the recent warming trend along with rains, have significantly cleared those areas of the borough of snow and it no longer poses a hazard to normal traffic flow. Parking is allowed. All other borough traffic ordinances pertaining to prohibited areas are in effect.

            The Bergenfield Police remind residents that winter weather can still return as the season winds down and the snow emergency can be reinstated if needed. The Police Department also thanks all those residents for their cooperation in keeping vehicles off the roadways during the storms. We understand that as residents, as well as for those visiting, you have all endured the hardship of this year’s snows that limited travel and parking on the roadways. Again, thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Help support the Tri-Community Crime Stoppers

The Tri-Community Crime Stoppers is a community-based program, composed of volunteers and local law enforcement members from Bergenfield, Hackensack and Teaneck, working together to help solve crimes. The group offers cash rewards to citizens who provide information to police that leads to the arrest of an offender or offenders. Cash rewards of up to $1,000 are possible and all citizens who offer such information are guaranteed anonymity. The Tri-Community Crime Stoppers have had more than 700 arrests and convictions as the result of anonymous tips provided by citizens.

The Tri-Community Crime Stoppers works in cooperation with local law enforcement and is a vital part of police efforts to keep the community safe and solve crimes. The board includes participation from local businesses and volunteers in Bergenfield, Hackensack and Teaneck. The success of the program relies on donations from the community and the volunteer support of its members. 

Members of the Tri-Community Crime Stoppers meet once a month. The group seeks to expand its membership as well as increase its financial support so that it may continue to issue rewards for tips.

To help support the Tri-Community Crime Stoppers, members of the community can mail a 100% tax deductible donation to the program. Donations will help the program continue to award informants for providing information that helps police make arrests in our communities.

Mail your donation to:
Crime Stoppers
PO Box 5072
Bergenfield, NJ 07621

Have a tip for police regarding a crime? Call the appropriate tip line to share your information anonymously.

Bergenfield - 201-384-4222
Hackensack - 201-488-4222
Teaneck - 201-833-4222

Interested in being a member? Send a direct message to the group at the Tri-Community Crime Stoppers Facebook page with your contact information. The group can be found on Facebook at facebook.com/tricommunitycrimestoppers.
 

New communications center featured in article

See article by Philip Devencentis, assistant editor at Twin-Boro News, on the Bergenfield Police Department's new communications center. Read "Centering on response."

UPDATED WEATHER BULLETIN FOR BOROUGH OF BERGENFIELD

 UPDATED FORECAST RECEIVED BY BERGENFIELD OEM THROUGH THE BCOEM

BERGEN COUNTY OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

WEATHER INFORMATION BULLETIN

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS CANCELLED THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR BERGEN COUNTY

DUE TO THE EXTREME SOUTHERN TRACK OF THE STORM, THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ADJUSTED THE FORECAST FOR BERGEN COUNTY TO A “DUSTING” OF SNOW POSSIBLE IN THE EARLY HOURS OF MONDAY MORNING.

TEMPERATURES WILL DROP IN TO THE 20'S.

GREAT NEWS, SPRING IS ONLY 18 DAYS AWAY!

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=40.9203906&lon=-74.0006328&site=all&smap=1&searchresult=Bergenfield%2C%20NJ%2007621%2C%20USA#.UxPZZ_k7uSp