Tag: Police, Fire, & EMT

D.E.A. National Take Back Initiative Will Take Place on April 27th, 10AM – 2PM

On By Mackensie AlvarezIn Emergencies and police, fire, and EMT news.

The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration provides citizens with a safe, convenient, and responsible means for disposing prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse.

The Hudson County Coalition for a Drug-Free Community is eagerly anticipating the event as the Coalition focuses on reducing youth substance use in Hudson County. Prescription drug take back days are a great way to help improve the quality of life in our communities.

This is a safe way to dispose of unused and expired prescription medications so there is less access for potential misuse and abuse. This service is free and anonymous.

The H.C.C.D.F.C. is encouraging people to bring their unused, unwanted or expired medications to one of the following participating locations around Hudson County:

  • Hudson County Sheriff’s Office at 257 Cornelison Avenue, Jersey City

  • Guttenburg Police Department 6808 Park Avenue, Guttenburg

  • North Bergen Police Department at 4233 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, North Bergen

  • Secaucus Police Department at 1203 Paterson Plank Road, Secaucus

  • West New York Police Headquarters at 428 60th Street, West New York

  • Union City Police Department 3715 Palisades Avenue, Union City

  • Kearny Police Department 237 Laurel Avenue, Kearny

  • Bayonne Police Department 630 Avenue C, Bayonne

To check for other locations near you please visit the DEA website.

The Hudson County Coalition is encouraging residents to take inventory of their prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines. Some helpful tips include:

  • Take your medicine(s) exactly as prescribed, do not share prescriptions.

  • Secure medicines in a locked chest; this will help curtail theft from those who might abuse or sell the medicine.

  • Talk to your children about the dangers of prescription drug abuse.

The Coalition appreciates and wants to thank all of the Hudson County municipalities that are making it a priority to participate in the April 27th DEA Take-Back Day.

For additional information about Hudson County Coalition please visit HudsonCountyCoalition.org.

North Bergen Police Participating in Distracted Driving Enforcement and Education CampaignUDrive. UText. UPay. April 1 – April 21, 2019

On By Mackensie AlvarezIn Uncategorized

NORTH BERGEN, NJ — Law enforcement officers from the North Bergen Police Department will be cracking down on distracted drivers during April as part of New Jersey’s UDrive. UText. UPay. enforcement campaign.

Beginning April 1 and running through April 21, the high visibility law enforcement initiative will target motorists who engage in dangerous distracted driving behaviors such as talking on hand-held cell phones and sending text messages while driving.

“Distracted driving is a serious safety issue that can cause injuries and even death to drivers and pedestrians, and it’s important that all drivers understand that this behavior will not be tolerated in North Bergen,” said Public Safety Commissioner Allen Pascual. “Our North Bergen Police Department will be participating in this program to make sure our community stays safe for our children and all residents.”

Eric Heitmann, Director of the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety, points out that New Jersey is one of only four states nationally (along with Maine, Connecticut, and Oregon) to qualify for and receive dedicated federal grant funding to combat distracted driving.

“This is clearly one of the most critical traffic safety issues that we face today,” Heitmann said. “The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that in 2016 alone, 3,450 people were killed in distracted driving crashes and an estimated 391,000 people were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver.”

In New Jersey, driver inattention was listed as a contributing circumstance in 53 percent of the state’s crashes in 2016. Driver inattention was in fact listed as a contributing factor in crashes at a rate nine times higher than that of the next highest contributing factor (speed).

The campaign is being carried out during the month of April, which the National Safety Council has designated as Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The New Jersey campaign is modeled after similar successful high visibility enforcement programs such as Click It or Ticket and Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.

Three NBPD Officers Promoted

On By Mackensie AlvarezIn Emergencies and police, fire, and EMT news.

Three veteran officers in the North Bergen Police Department were promoted to leadership ranks in a public ceremony on Wednesday, Mar. 6, 2019. Sergeant John Stahl was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and Detectives Joseph Gorrin and Thomas Yfantis were both promoted to the rank of Sergeant.

Mayor Nicholas Sacco swore in all three officers with the assistance of Public Safety Commissioner Allen Pascual, in front of a crowd of family members, friends, supporters, and fellow officers.

Police Chief Robert Dowd spoke about the many honors and achievements of the three officers, noting that they are among the most senior officers in the department and serve as front-line supervisors, leaders, mentors, and role models to younger officers.

Commissioners Hugo Cabrera, Frank Gargiulo, and Julio Marenco attended the promotion to show their support, along with Freeholder Anthony Vainieri and many township officials, administrators, and employees. Also sharing his congratulations was Hudson County Sheriff Frank Schillari.

Police Dept. Honors Retiring Lt. Jesus Fernandez

On By Mackensie AlvarezIn Emergencies and police, fire, and EMT news.

North Bergen Lt. Fernandez

Chief Robert Dowd and the North Bergen Police Department held a “walk out” ceremony for retiring Lt. Jesus Fernandez at the completion of his last shift on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019.

Lt. Fernandez was hired by the NBPD in January of 1996, after working since 1993 in the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office. As a North Bergen police officer, he served in community policing, the bicycle patrol, as a school resource officer, on the street crimes unit and patrol division, and finally in the municipal court. His certifications include Street Gang Expert, advanced SWAT Officer, and Crisis Intervention. He is a highly decorated officer who has received numerous awards including the Life Saving Award.

After one final field inspection in the township, Lt. Fernandez walked out of police HQ past a long line of fellow officers, who each saluted and thanked him for his 23 years of service. Chief Dowd then offered his appreciation to Lt. Fernandez for a long and successful career and congratulations upon retirement.

INVESTIGATORS SEEK DRIVER IN FATAL HIT-AND-RUN IN NORTH BERGEN

On By Mackensie AlvarezIn Emergencies and police, fire, and EMT news.

On Monday, March 4, 2019, an arrest warrant was issued for Monica D. Ippolito, age 49, of Paterson, for her role in the fatal hit-and-run collision which occurred on February 18, 2019, at approximately 8:15 p.m. in North Bergen. The collision resulted in the death of 34-year-old Darlene Westbrook who was found lying in the roadway on 43rd Street in the area of Tonnelle Avenue.

Ippolito is the suspected driver of the gold Chrysler Voyager Minivan observed on surveillance video recently released to the public by this Office. She has been criminally charged with Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Collision Resulting In Death in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-5.1.

Investigators with the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit and the North Bergen Police Department are now asking the public for assistance in locating Monica Ippolito.

Anyone with information concerning the whereabouts of Monica Ippolito is asked to contact the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit at 201-915-1345 or leave an anonymous tip on the Prosecutor’s Office official website at: http://www.hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org/homicide-tip/.

All information will be kept confidential.

Woman dies after incident in North Bergen

On By Mackensie AlvarezIn Emergencies and police, fire, and EMT news.

On Monday, February 18, 2019, at approximately 8:15 p.m., the North Bergen Police Department received a 911 call reporting a body lying in the roadway on 43rd Street in the area of Tonnelle Avenue in North Bergen.

Upon arrival, responding North Bergen police officers observed an unresponsive woman, Darlene Westbrook, age 34, lying in the roadway at that location. The woman was treated at the scene before being transported by Emergency Medical Services to the Jersey City Medical Center where she was pronounced dead at approximately 2:40 a.m. on February 19, 2019.

The initial investigation by the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit and the North Bergen Police Department has determined that a motor vehicle was involved in this fatal incident. A suspected vehicle being sought by investigators is described as a 2001-2003 Chrysler Voyager Minivan that is light in color, possibly silver.

The Minivan is missing both front hub caps and was last observed traveling north on Kennedy Boulevard from 35th Street on Monday, February 18, 2019, between 8:15 and 8:20 p.m. Investigators are asking the public for assistance in finding this vehicle.

Anyone with information about the vehicle is asked to contact the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit at 201-915-1345 or leave an anonymous tip on the Hudson County Prosecutor’s official website at: http://www.hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org/homicide-tip/. All information will be kept confidential.

Four NBPD Officers Deployed Overseas

On By Mackensie AlvarezIn Uncategorized

North Bergen Police Chief Robert Dowd and Public Safety Commissioner Allen Pascual hosted a special luncheon on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019 in honor of four township police officers who are being deployed overseas.

P.O. Eric Crafton, P.O. Joshua Nazario, SLEO II Rodolfo Velazquez and C.O. Alexander Sanchez will be serving as part of

Operation Spartan Shield and Operation Horn of Africa.

Among the guests was Velazquez’s wife, Melissa, and their four-month-old son, Marcus – dressed in baby camo fatigues.

Many members of the police department joined the event to convey their best wishes to the officers, who will each be serving overseas for about a year.

There's a New Sergeant in Town!

On By Mackensie AlvarezIn Uncategorized

Detective Steven Shubert was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. .

“Congratulations to Steven Schubert on his promotion today to the rank of Sergeant,” writes North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco. “Steven exemplifies the motto of the North Bergen Police Department: duty, honor, and courage and we are proud to have him as a member of our department.”

Schubert has served as an Officer in the Patrol Division, Community Police and Bike Patrol Unit, Street Crime Unit and ESU Team.

Schubert is Departmental Firearms Instructor for pistol, shotgun, subgun and assault rifle, Monadnock/ASP Baton Instructor, NTOA Active Shooter Instructor, Taser Instructor, CST Less Lethal Instructor, MACTAC Instructor, Simunition Scenario Instructor, Sig Sauer, Glock & Colt Armorer and NTOA Basic & Advance SWAT Courses.

Schubert is a United States Marine Combat Veteran. He served in Desert Storm and Operation Desert Shield in 1990.

North Bergen Police Welcomes Five New Officers

On By Mackensie AlvarezIn Uncategorized

Mayor Nick Sacco was the keynote speaker at the swearing-in ceremony for five new police officers at Borough Hall on Friday. The new officers are Christopher Arce, Erick Rodriguez, Jorge Palaguachi, Julio Noriega and Mayco Diaz.

Sacco detailed the great strides the police department has made since he first took office.

“Thirty years ago, we had only two police cars for 79 officers,” Mayor Sacco said. “If we’re going to keep our rating as the best in Hudson County, then we’re going to have to keep our department as strong as possible. This is what makes the community as strong as it is.”

Also on hand were Commissioner of Public Safety Allen Pascual, Chief of Police Robert Dowd, Deputy Chief Peter Fasilis, Revenue and Finance Commissioner Julio Marenco and Freeholder Anthony Vainieri.

“It’s great to see our police department continue to grow and the Mayor and Board of Commissioners are fully committed to keeping North Bergen safe by making sure our officers have the resources and manpower they need,” said Commissioner Pascual.

Chief Dowd spoke of Mayor Sacco’s dedication to the township, and in particular, the police department, and how he has worked to make the department more diverse and effective. NBPD is now at just under 60 percent Hispanic, mirroring the township’s population, and the department continues to become more diverse thanks to its resident-only hiring policy implemented by Mayor Sacco and the Board of Commissioners.

“With the Mayor’s guidance and leadership the North Bergen Police Department is among the most diverse in the state and it is a true reflection of the community we protect and serve,” said Chief Dowd. “I would like to thank Mayor Sacco, Commissioner Pascual and the entire township for their continued support for the North Bergen Police Department.”

The new officers begin the Bergen County Police Academy later this month and Chief Dowd spoke of his own experiences there 25 years ago, when addressing the families in attendance, and how home-cooked meals from his mother and his father taking his uniform to the dry cleaners meant all the difference in the world to him.

“They’re going to need your help,” Chief Dowd said. “They’re in for some long days and they are grueling. They’re going to need to lean on you.”