Tag:

Community Relations

City Of Yonkers To Pay $50K To Activist As Part Of Settled Civil Rights Lawsuit City Of Yonkers To Pay $50K To Activist As Part Of Settled Civil Rights Lawsuit
City Of Yonkers To Pay $50K To Activist As Part Of Settled Civil Rights Lawsuit A city in Westchester will pay $50,000 to an activist as part of a settled civil rights lawsuit filed after his arrest at a city council meeting.  According to court documents filed in July in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, the City of Yonkers will pay the sum to settle a lawsuit filed by activist Hector Santiago in September 2023 following his arrest at a city council meeting in 2022.  In the lawsuit, Santiago claimed his rights were violated when he was detained during a Yonkers City Council meeting on Nov. 22, 2022. According to the lawsuit complai…
Woman, 20, Two Teens Arrested For Fight At National Night Out Event In South Jersey: Police Woman, 20, Two Teens Arrested For Fight At National Night Out Event In South Jersey: Police
Woman, 20, Two Teens Arrested For Fight At National Night Out Event In South Jersey: Police An Atlantic City woman and two teens were accused of fighting during a National Night Out event in Egg Harbor Township, authorities said. Latairah Abdul-Haqq, 20, was arrested, along with two 17-year-old girls from Mays Landing and Galloway, an Egg Harbor Township police spokesperson said on Wednesday, Aug. 7. The three were charged with disorderly conduct and simple assault. Investigators said the fight started right before the event's fireworks display at around 8:50 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 6. "Large groups of teenagers were continuously gathering throughout the evening and …
Hudson Valley Police Chief Resigns For New Job Hudson Valley Police Chief Resigns For New Job
Hudson Valley Police Chief Resigns For New Job Employees from a Hudson Valley town bid farewell to their police chief, who resigned to take a new position. For the past 11 years, Police Chief Keith Dworkin has called Dutchess County and the Fishkill Police Department home, but on Friday, July 19, he said goodbye to take another position as chief in the village of Millbrook. In a Facebook post, the department said Dworkin had worked tirelessly during his four years as chief to promote community outreach, encourage public relations, and increase resident confidence in the police department. "Under his leadership, the community policing u…
Stop & Shop Closing 32 Stores, Including In Westchester Stop & Shop Closing 32 Stores, Including In Westchester
Stop & Shop Closing 32 Stores, Including In Westchester Stop & Shop announced they plan to close 32 underperforming stores, including seven in New York. The supermarket said on Friday, July 12, that the closures allowed it to take the next steps in its plans to position the company for growth.  Following the closures, Stop & Shop will continue to have a strong presence across its five-state footprint with more than 350 stores.  The company said Stop & Shop associates at impacted locations will be offered other opportunities within the company.  “Stop & Shop is proud of the deep roots and community ties we have de…
'No Safety Without Trust': AG Takes Over Paterson PD, Pledges Changes In Mental Crisis Policing 'No Safety Without Trust': AG Takes Over Paterson PD, Pledges Changes In Mental Crisis Policing
'No Safety Without Trust': AG Takes Over Paterson PD, Pledges Changes In Mental Crisis Policing “There is no safety without trust,” New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said in announcing a state takeover of the day-to-day operations of the Paterson Police Department and plans to include mental health professionals in responses to barricaded individuals there and statewide. Experience has shown that both moves are absolutely necessary at the moment, the state’s top law enforcement officer said. “There is a crisis of confidence in law enforcement in this city,” Platkin said, speaking outside the Frank X. Graves Jr. Public Safety Complex on Broadway on March 27. “Under these ci…
New Food, Wine Shop Bringing Locally-Sourced 'Surprises' To Greater Boston New Food, Wine Shop Bringing Locally-Sourced 'Surprises' To Greater Boston
New Food, Wine Shop Bringing Locally-Sourced 'Surprises' To Greater Boston A neighborhood food and wine store that features locally-sourced products is on the "last mile" of its mission to open in the Boston area this spring. Danielle Pattavina is the owner of Momma's Grocery + Wine, which will open at 2304 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge in March, Pattavina said in a Facebook post.  "It’s been a long road but the end is near! (Which is actually the beginning!)," they wrote. "For this last leg, I’m turning to you for a little help." BIG NEWS TODAY! I’m opening Momma’s in March! FINALLY. It’s been a long road but the end is near! (Which is actually... Po…
MPD Chief Slams Social Media, 'Misinformation' Surrounding Karon Blake Death Investigation MPD Chief Slams Social Media, 'Misinformation' Surrounding Karon Blake Death Investigation
MPD Chief Slams Social Media, 'Misinformation' Surrounding Karon Blake Death Investigation An impassioned Metropolitan Police Chief Robert Contee III took shots at “misinformation swirling around” the case of 13-year-old Karon Blake, who was killed by a gunman who reportedly thought he was breaking into cars in Washington, DC. Blake was shot by an unnamed resident shortly before 4 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 7 in the 1000 block of Quincy Street, who said that he "heard noises and observed someone that appeared to be tampering with vehicles." Earlier story - Middle Schooler Killed By DC Gunman Thinking He Was Breaking Into Cars Since the shooting, there has been uproar in the commu…
Rockville Centre Ice Cream Shop Closing After More Than 10 Years In Business Rockville Centre Ice Cream Shop Closing After More Than 10 Years In Business
Rockville Centre Ice Cream Shop Closing After More Than 10 Years In Business A Long Island ice cream shop is set to close its doors after more than a decade in business. Five Pennies Creamery in Rockville Centre will permanently close in December, owner Dan Levine said in a message to customers. “Serving this community has been one of my proudest accomplishments and highlights of my life," Levine said. "I've seen generations of kids and families grow; I have grown with them. While these past years have proven tumultuous for our country, ice cream has stood as the great unifier. Day in and day out, I have served smiling faces who laugh in the face of darkne…
New Hackensack Police Director Hits Ground Running New Hackensack Police Director Hits Ground Running
New Hackensack Police Director Hits Ground Running A highly-respected law enforcement veteran has become Hackensack's new police director. Raymond Guidetti, who retired as a lieutenant colonel after a highly distinguished career with the New Jersey State Police, began working last week, multiple department and city sources confirmed Tuesday. "We've been getting memos from him already on things like internal policies and expectations," one department member said. Guidetti, 54, of Paramus, was officially appointed to the position for three years at Monday night's Mayor and Council meeting, according to city spokesman Nick Bond. “I am very p…
NYPD: Rookie Shot, Killed By PA Ex-Con, Second Officer Clinging To Life NYPD: Rookie Shot, Killed By PA Ex-Con, Second Officer Clinging To Life
Nypd: Rookie Shot, Killed By PA Ex-Con, Second Officer Clinging To Life A 22-year-old rookie New York City police officer was killed and another officer critically wounded Friday night during what has become one of the most violent periods in the city's recent history. Officer Jason Rivera -- who once wrote that he wanted to join the NYPD to “better the relationship between the community and the police" -- was ambushed with two other officers while responding to a domestic violence call in a Harlem apartment, authorities said. The female caller had said she needed help with her son, city officials said during a solemn news conference at Harlem Hospital. The m…
‘Win-Win’: New Hackensack Police Pact Boasts Changes Aimed At Boosting Growing Prestige ‘Win-Win’: New Hackensack Police Pact Boasts Changes Aimed At Boosting Growing Prestige
‘Win-Win’: New Hackensack Police Pact Boasts Changes Aimed At Boosting Growing Prestige A new contract secured by the union representing more than 100 Hackensack police officers gives them a 2.75% pay bump and revises their work schedule for the first time in nearly 25 years. Officers will move to 12-hour work tours, from what had been 11 hours, under the five-year deal collectively bargained between the city and New Jersey State Police Benevolent Association's Local #9. They’ll work alternately for 16 days of 8-day shifts, followed by 16 days of 8-night shifts, or vice versa -- with critically consistent starting and finishing times. At the same time, “major modifications” t…
City Of Newburgh Police Creating Chaplain Unit Within Department City Of Newburgh Police Creating Chaplain Unit Within Department
City Of Newburgh Police Creating Chaplain Unit Within Department To help police officers and crime victims deal with the stresses of the job and act as a liaison between the police and the community, the City of Newburgh Police Department has created a chaplain unit. Chief Arnold Amthor said the benefits of creating the unit includes providing emotional and spiritual support to members of the community, especially when dealing with trauma, grief, loss, and death.  Additionally, police chaplains serve crime victims and can assist in providing disaster relief by having a presence as needed, the chief said.  "Finally, chaplain…
VIDEO: Police Keeping Eye On Hackensack Church Where Anti-ICE Protestors Cursed, Heckled Priest VIDEO: Police Keeping Eye On Hackensack Church Where Anti-ICE Protestors Cursed, Heckled Priest
Video: Police Keeping Eye On Hackensack Church Where Anti-ice Protestors Cursed, Heckled Priest UPDATE: Outrage continued to mount against a group of protestors who harassed a beloved Hackensack priest, cursing and calling him a rapist, prompting police protection for the church as long as anti-ICE demonstrations at the nearby Bergen County Jail continue. Some of the protestors had been involved in a couple of brief skirmishes outside the jail on Saturday and were marching through city streets when they stopped outside St. Anthony of Padua RC Church that night. “Look what they’re doing, Father,” says one protester who comes up from behind the Rev. Brian H. Laffler in a video tweeted b…
Video: Long Island Restaurant Owner Issues Mea Culpa For Comments On Protesters Video: Long Island Restaurant Owner Issues Mea Culpa For Comments On Protesters
Video: Long Island Restaurant Owner Issues Mea Culpa For Comments On Protesters The owner of a popular Long Island Italian restaurant who caught heat for making racially charged comments about protesters earlier this week has issued a mea culpa. Luigi Petrone, the owner of Tutto Pazzo in Huntington Village, received backlash after he posted a video on Monday, June 1 of a group protesting the death of George Floyd, calling them names and mocking them. “There’s a bunch of kids … little punks,” he said. “(They) look like little animals … little savages.” Petrone went on to say that “we were ready, we don’t joke around. They know if they come into Huntington, they’re goi…
Authorities: Newark Officer In 'Troubling' Video Relieved Of Gun, Reassigned Authorities: Newark Officer In 'Troubling' Video Relieved Of Gun, Reassigned
Authorities: Newark Officer In 'Troubling' Video Relieved Of Gun, Reassigned One Newark police officer has been reassigned to desk work only and relieved of his gun after video of him and his colleagues using force to subdue a man surfaced on social media, authorities said. The incident began when police responded to a citizen's complaint of a disturbance May 12, Newark Police Director Anthony Ambrose said. The video captured at the scene shows a man begging police to speak to another man as officers pull him away. The officers appear to tase the man before he falls to the ground. One officer can be seen punching him.  Authorities did not identify the off…
Family Fun Day Honoring Jersey City Public Safety Workers Coming Saturday Family Fun Day Honoring Jersey City Public Safety Workers Coming Saturday
Family Fun Day Honoring Jersey City Public Safety Workers Coming Saturday Jersey City officials invited the public to celebrate the first annual Public Safety Appreciation Day, honoring the more than 2,000 firefighters, 911 dispatchers, police, crossing guards and others who keep the public safe. The event will be held at Caven Point Fields, 1 Chapel Ave., from noon to 4 p.m. Rain date is Sunday. There will be a family barbecue, music, giveaways and games including an obstacle course. The day’s activities start with a “battle of the badges” softball game between members of the Jersey City police and fire departments. Also, the second-annual summer community r…
'The Department Will Not Tolerate Misconduct From Our Officers,' Bridgeport PD Chief Says 'The Department Will Not Tolerate Misconduct From Our Officers,' Bridgeport PD Chief Says
'The Department Will Not Tolerate Misconduct From Our Officers,' Bridgeport PD Chief Says As the Bridgeport Police Department grapples with the after-effects of a scathing investigation that cited at least 17 officers for wrongdoing, the city's top cop says the department won't tolerate misconduct. “The police department will not tolerate misconduct from our officers," said Chief Armando Perez. "Since this incident and throughout my tenure as chief, we have taken various proactive measures to ensure that officers are appropriately trained on safety, responding to a scene, and interacting with the community." The incident took place on Oct. 21, 2017, duri…
Bergenfield PBA Reconsiders Gun Raffle, Returns Funds For Kids After Newspaper Story Bergenfield PBA Reconsiders Gun Raffle, Returns Funds For Kids After Newspaper Story
Bergenfield PBA Reconsiders Gun Raffle, Returns Funds For Kids After Newspaper Story If they had to do it again, Bergenfield’s PBA wouldn’t have included shotgun and rifle as part of a recent fund-raising raffle for various youth-related organizations. In fact, the union is refunding the cost of the raffle tickets to anyone who bought them. PBA Local #309 chose a Samsung 55-inch TV, a KEL-Tec KSG 12-gauge shotgun and a M&P Sport II semi-automatic rifle as its big prizes. The TV was to be handed to the winner of that raffle while the winner of the weapons was to receive a voucher to take to a gun store, Capt. Mustafa Rabboh said Friday. “The winner of the weapons was o…
Tenafly PBA Angered By Councilman's Comments About Police Shooting Kids Tenafly PBA Angered By Councilman's Comments About Police Shooting Kids
Tenafly PBA Angered By Councilman's Comments About Police Shooting Kids As if police don’t already have enough grief: A Tenafly councilman has angered officers in his town with a racially-charged comment. School officials had been considering replacing a single resource officer -- who primarily patrols the high school and occasionally the middle school – with recently-retired armed police officers in all district buildings. Last week, a member of a Tenafly Facebook group posted a link about an armed guard on Long Island who left his gun in a school bathroom. In response, Councilman Max Basch wrote: “If they had an armed guard on duty the kid with a toy gun wou…
Mount Vernon School District Authorizes Legal Action Against Mayor, Rapper, Following HS Chaos Mount Vernon School District Authorizes Legal Action Against Mayor, Rapper, Following HS Chaos
Mount Vernon School District Authorizes Legal Action Against Mayor, Rapper, Following HS Chaos The Mount Vernon School District Board of Education has passed a resolution authorizing legal action against Mayor Richard Thomas and rapper Fatboy following last week’s chaotic incident at the high school. Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas and rapper “Fatboy” made an appearance at the high school on Friday, Jan. 11, unbeknownst to the school, its principal, or Mount Vernon Superintendent Kenneth Hamilton. During the visit - which was without notice or authorization - students got riled up and proceeded to begin fighting when the rapper reportedly “made it rain,” throwing money around, whic…
Have Coffee With A Cop In Pound Ridge Have Coffee With A Cop In Pound Ridge
Have Coffee With A Cop In Pound Ridge Police officials in Pound Ridge are inviting the community to share a cup of “Coffee with a Cop” at a special event at the Market at Pound Ridge Square. In an effort to increase cohesion and cooperation in the community, local and local, state and county police have set aside times to meet with local residents in an effort to “build relationships and trust between the officers and the people they save,” according to police officials. The “Coffee with a Cop” event will be held beginning at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 21 at The Market at Pound Ridge Square. It is expected to conclude around 2:…
HEROES: Lyndhurst Police Free Girl With Autism, 5, Tangled In Park Swing HEROES: Lyndhurst Police Free Girl With Autism, 5, Tangled In Park Swing
Heroes: Lyndhurst Police Free Girl With Autism, 5, Tangled In Park Swing A Lyndhurst police officer held the hand of a 5-year-old girl with autism while his colleagues used bolt cutters to free the frightened youngster from a chain-link park swing. “We were having a great time and she climbed into one of the swings,” her aunt said after the late Thursday afternoon incident at Town Hall Park. “I was pushing and she was actually smiling. “When she wanted to get out, I tried lifting her out but her legs were sorta wedged in....the rubber was completely cutting her circulation,” she said. “She is underweight and has long thin legs....being ‘too big’ wasn't the issue…
NJ Police Chiefs Demand Apology From Newspaper For Anti-Cop KKK Cartoon NJ Police Chiefs Demand Apology From Newspaper For Anti-Cop KKK Cartoon
NJ Police Chiefs Demand Apology From Newspaper For Anti-Cop KKK Cartoon The New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police on Monday accused the Asbury Park Press of publishing an "incendiary" cartoon of a boy in a Ku Klux Klan robe -- and demanded the newspaper remove the drawing and apologize to people of color, as well as to members of law enforcement. NJSACOP issued a statement: "On June 28, 2018, the Asbury Park Press published a cartoon in its editorial section that was clearly a poor attempt at political satire. Rather than encourage thoughtful discussion, the cartoon was offensive to its directed audience: law enforcement and communitie…
Longtime Rochelle Park Principal Brian Cannici Resigns Longtime Rochelle Park Principal Brian Cannici Resigns
Longtime Rochelle Park Principal Brian Cannici Resigns Rochelle Park principal Brian Cannici announced in an open letter on Facebook that he will be resigning from his longtime post in the district. "It’s hard to believe, but the journey that began for me 21 years ago is now coming to an end, and a new one is about to begin," said Cannici, a lifelong Rochelle Park resident.  "I can’t even begin to describe the emotions I am filled with when I think about the prospect of having to say good-bye to a community that has provided me with so many wonderful memories, relationships, and experiences.  "To say that it is going to be …
Emerson Schools Superintendent Responds To Gun Threat: Please Trust Us Emerson Schools Superintendent Responds To Gun Threat: Please Trust Us
Emerson Schools Superintendent Responds To Gun Threat: Please Trust Us More trust in Emerson's school educators and administrators might have prevented a viral firestorm about a supposed threat that wasn't as serious as some parents thought, School Supt. Brian Gatens said Saturday morning. Gatens personally assured parents that the purported threat was never credible by not only sending a follow-up email to one issued a day earlier but by also going to work Saturday morning -- and inviting them all to come talk with him face-to-face. Upset that police weren't immediately notified of a comment made by a 7th grader to gun down classmates and record them being ki…