Beware of IRS Telephone Scam

The Bergenfield Police Department is warning residents to be aware of a recently reported IRS telephone scam.  Callers are claiming to be employees of the IRS (Internal Revenue Service), stating that back taxes are owed, and if not paid in full, they will be arrested. 

The callers request that the victim purchases either a Green Dot or prepaid card and then make a return telephone call to provide the security code on the back of the card, enabling the scammer to utilize the funds on the card. 

The scammers are also using an app (short for application, which refers to a software or computer program that can be used on a smart phone or computer tablet). This app will display the telephone number of the Bergenfield Police Department.  If you are unsure about the call, please call the police desk at 201-387-4000 and ask to speak to an officer in regards to the call.  The Bergenfield Police Department has no business calling you in regards to an IRS matter.

Here are some things you need to know about the IRS:

• The IRS will never call before mailing an official letter; 
• Will not demand you to pay prior to giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount owed; 
• will never require a specific payment method; 
• will not threaten to use the local police department against you.  

Click the links below for more information:
http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/Scam-Phone-Calls-Continue-IRS-Unveils-New-Video-to-Warn-Taxpayers

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/IRS-Reiterates-Warning-of-Pervasive-Telephone-Scam

If you feel you are the victim of a scam, please see the below listed information:

 If you know you do not owe taxes or have no reason to believe that you do, report the incident to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) at 1.800.366.4484 or at www.tigta.gov.

Anticipated Road Closures

See below for road closures for the week of November 3, 2014

Road closures for the Week of October 27, 2014

See below for anticipated lane closures for the week of October 27, 2014.

Crime Stoppers Tip Leads to Drug and Warrant Arrest

On Thursday, October 23, 2014 at 3:15 am, police received an anonymous tip on the Crime Stoppers telephone line regarding drug activity occurring in a garage on Willow Street.

Officers David Tortora and Peter Morano responded to the area to investigate the tip. Upon arrival, officers observed garage lights on and heard noise from a television playing inside. Officers approached the garage and knocked on the side door. A male, identified as Allan Verdeflor, 32, of Bergenfield, answered the door with a clear glassine bag containing a controlled dangerous substance in his left hand. Upon speaking with Verdeflor, officers determined he was under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance. In addition, officers observed drug paraphernalia within the garage, specifically a large glass bong. Several other men were also observed inside the garage in addition to Verdeflor.

One male located in the garage was identified as Ramil Culala, 38, of Bergenfield. An active warrant for Culala was discovered after police conducted a computer check. The warrant was issued by the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department.  Police communications personnel contacted the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department who verified that the warrant was active and no bail was permitted.  The warrant was issued for failing to appear. Other occupants in the garage were checked by officers and released without further incident. 

Verdeflor and Culala were placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters without incident. The drugs and paraphernalia were collected from the scene and secured into police evidence. Municipal Court Judge Helene Herbert was contacted and issued the following warrants for Verdeflor:  being under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of less than one ounce of methamphetamine. Bail for Verdeflor was set at $5,000 no 10% permitted. 

Verdeflor was unable to post bail and was transported to Bergen County Jail without incident. 

 Culala was processed and turned over to the custody of Bergen County Sheriff's Officers.

Halloween Safety Tips

 

 

See below for Halloween Safety tips

 

 

PSE&G Construction Week of October 20, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fire-General Alarm: Garage Fire October 12, 2014

On Sunday, October 12, 2014, at 4:28 PM, the Bergenfield Police Department Communications Desk received multiple 911 calls reporting a garage fire on Glenwood Drive North. Fire units were dispatched, but the actual fire location was quickly updated 1 Glenwood Drive East.

Fire Chief Jason Lanzilotti, upon arrival of fire apparatus, said the "garage was reported to be fully involved." Although the garage is detached from the residence, the neighboring residences "started to burn but were extinguished and cooled" as firefighters began their attack on the blaze, he said.

The fire was quickly extinguished by firefighters on scene and the fire chief further reported,  "because of the potential for collapse, hot spots, as well as the quantity of contents, the garage needed to be taken down with a controlled demo preformed in cooperative effort by members from the Bergenfield and Dumont fire departments."

Mutual aid was requested from the Dumont, New Milford, Tenafly, Englewood and Teaneck fire departments. In addition, the Bergenfield Volunteer Ambulance Corps responded and was on scene to standby and provide medical treatment if needed. The fire chief reported there were no injuries to either civilian or firefighter personnel during the incident.   

The fire remains under investigation and no specific cause is known yet, however, it is not deemed suspicious in nature at this time. All fire units cleared the scene by 6:56 PM.

MTC