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Public Safety

Wildfire Smoke Blankets North Jersey As Pompton Lakes Blaze Grows To 100 Acres Wildfire Smoke Blankets North Jersey As Pompton Lakes Blaze Grows To 100 Acres
Wildfire Smoke Blankets North Jersey As Pompton Lakes Blaze Grows To 100 Acres Residents across North Jersey are facing worsening air quality due to smoke from a major wildfire burning in Pompton Lakes.  UPDATE: Unhealthy Air Quality Levels Reported In North Jersey As New 1,800-Acre Wildfire Rages Smoke from the Pompton Lakes wildfire. North Jersey Video Service or NJVS Dubbed the "Cannonball 3 Wildfire," the blaze has expanded to 100 acres with no containment, as per the latest update from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. By late Friday night, Nov. 8, smoke from the raging Passaic County wildfire drifted as far as Fair Lawn, Hackensack, New Milfo…
Grenade Discovered In Jersey City Garage Grenade Discovered In Jersey City Garage
Grenade Discovered In Jersey City Garage A grenade was discovered in a garage in Jersey City on the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 6, authorities said. At 11:03 a.m., police were called to Belmont Avenue after a person found the grenade while cleaning out their garage, Kimberly Wallace-Scalfione, a spokeswoman for the mayor's office said. The JCPD’s Emergency Service Unit responded and determined the grenade was real, Wallace-Scalfione said.  ESU determined it was a hollowed-out novelty grenade body, Wallace-Scalfione said. The item was taken back to ESU headquarters, where it was X-rayed and cleared for potential hazards b…
Thomas Adamo Elected Passaic County Sheriff, Vows To Serve Community He Calls Home Thomas Adamo Elected Passaic County Sheriff, Vows To Serve Community He Calls Home
Thomas Adamo Elected Passaic County Sheriff, Vows To Serve Community He Calls Home Passaic County voters have chosen Democrat Thomas Adamo as their new sheriff, filling the position left vacant by the late Sheriff Richard Berdnik.  A lifelong Passaic County resident, Adamo won the election with 94,157 votes, while Maria Saracino, a detective captain with the county prosecutor's office, garnered 80,135. The role has been vacant since January when then-Sheriff Richard Berdnik died by suicide in the bathroom of a Clifton restaurant. Adamo’s career reflects his dedication and steady rise within law enforcement. Starting as a corrections officer with the Passai…
Girl Critical After Being Shot By Boy At Ridgefield Park Apartment Complex: Prosecutor (UPDATE) Girl Critical After Being Shot By Boy At Ridgefield Park Apartment Complex: Prosecutor (UPDATE)
Girl Critical After Being Shot By Boy At Ridgefield Park Apartment Complex: Prosecutor (Update) A 16-year-old boy has been charged in connection with a shooting that left a 15-year-old in critical condition Wednesday night, Nov. 5 in Ridgefield Park, authorities said. Police called to the garden apartments along Teaneck Road around 7:25 p.m. and found the girl with a gunshot wound to her back, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said. The girl was hospitalized where she remains in critical condition. The 16-year-old boy at the scene was arrested and charged following an investigation that found he had fired the gun. While initial reports said the shooting had been accidental, M…
'Deranged' Man Attacks Nanny, Curses At Kids In Hoboken Park On Halloween: Police, Campaign 'Deranged' Man Attacks Nanny, Curses At Kids In Hoboken Park On Halloween: Police, Campaign
'Deranged' Man Attacks Nanny, Curses At Kids In Hoboken Park On Halloween: Police, Campaign A 31-year-old man was arrested after police say he was cursing at children and then attacked a nanny in a Hoboken park on Thursday, Oct. 31, Halloween, according to police and the nanny's family. Officers were called to Church Square Park around 12:30 p.m. where a man later identified Troy Timberlake had been cursing at children and elderly people, Hoboken City spokeswoman Marci Rubin. Timberlake then began hitting people, including a woman identified by a local family on a GoFundMe campaign as "B." "A deranged man assaulted her in broad daylight in front of many people and kids," the…
Man Had Firearm Inside Newark Bank: Police Man Had Firearm Inside Newark Bank: Police
Man Had Firearm Inside Newark Bank: Police A man displayed a gun at a Bank of America in Newark on the morning of Wednesday, Oct. 30, authorities said. At 9:35 a.m., police responded to Bank of America at 1 Springfield Ave. on a call of a man inside the bank with a firearm, Newark Public Safety Director Fritz Fragé said. The suspect had opened a bag, exposing a long gun to a teller before exiting the bank, Fragé said. .  Minutes later, another officer was flagged down by an individual who reported that a suspect had robbed a business at Branford Place, Fragé said.. The description of the suspect in the Bran…
One Hospitalized, 13 Displaced After Multi-Alarm Fire In Newark: FD One Hospitalized, 13 Displaced After Multi-Alarm Fire In Newark: FD
One Hospitalized, 13 Displaced After Multi-Alarm Fire In Newark: FD One firefighter was injured and 13 people were displaced after a two-alarm fire in Newark on the morning of Tuesday, Oct. 29, authorities said. At 9:24 a.m., firefighters responded to 356 . 6th Street, a three-story residential building and immediately called a second alarm, requesting additional units to help control the blaze,  Newark Public Safety Director Fritz Fragé said. One firefighter suffered a laceration to his left foot and was been transported to University Hospital for treatment, Fragé said. A second firefighter was treated at the scene by EMS for heat exhaustion and …
Throngs Of Unruly Teens Break Up NJ Haunted Hayride Event, Police Say Throngs Of Unruly Teens Break Up NJ Haunted Hayride Event, Police Say
Throngs Of Unruly Teens Break Up NJ Haunted Hayride Event, Police Say About 200 teens and young adults caused chaos at a PTA-sponsored hayride in Collingswood, authorities said. The large group was dropped off by several vehicles on the outskirts of Knight Park on Saturday, Oct. 19, the Collingswood Police Department said in a Facebook post. The teens and young adults started fighting each other, ran recklessly through the crowd, and cut in line for the Haunted Hayride. Officers at the event broke up the unruly teens and other Camden County police departments were called in to help. "To ensure the safety of those in attendance, the decision was mad…
Jersey City Dispatcher Intentionally Hit Man With Vehicle After Altercation: Prosecutor Jersey City Dispatcher Intentionally Hit Man With Vehicle After Altercation: Prosecutor
Jersey City Dispatcher Intentionally Hit Man With Vehicle After Altercation: Prosecutor A 37-year-old Jersey City woman was arrested and charged with intentionally striking a pedestrian in Bayonne on Sunday, Oct. 13, authorities said. At 12:20 a.m., Bayonne police found a man with life-threatening injuries after he was struck by a vehicle at Route 440 and 22nd Street, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said. The man was transported to a nearby hospital, where he remains in critical condition, Suarez said. Kalimah Toon had gotten into an altercation with the victim on the shoulder of Route 440, Suarez said. Toon then entered a Ford Escape and intentionally struck the victim…
3-Alarm Fire Rips Through Irvington Homes, Smoke Billows For Miles 3-Alarm Fire Rips Through Irvington Homes, Smoke Billows For Miles
3-Alarm Fire Rips Through Irvington Homes, Smoke Billows For Miles Nine families were displaced and one person was injured in a three-alarm fire that ripped through Irvington rowhomes Tuesday evening, Oct. 15, police said, The fire broke out in a vacant residential building at 71 Montgomery Street and spread to multiple other homes around 5 p.m., Newark Public Safety Director Fritz Fragé said. The fire occurred on the border of Irvington and Newark. A third alarm was called at 5:26 p.m. as the fire extended to other homes. The fire was placed under control at 6:51 p.m. One elderly man was injured and transported to University Hospital for treatment.&…
Maplewood Exploring Improvements After Two Kids Struck By Vehicle Maplewood Exploring Improvements After Two Kids Struck By Vehicle
Maplewood Exploring Improvements After Two Kids Struck By Vehicle Two students were struck by a vehicle on the morning of Monday, Oct. 7 in Maplewood, authorities said. At 7:52 a.m., officers responded to Prospect Street and Oakland Road after a car traveling south on Prospect struck the two juveniles, police said. One juvenile was transported to area hospital with parent for non-life-threatening injury and the second juvenile's parent declined medical transport, police said. The driver  was issued a summonses for failure to yield to pedestrians and careless driving, police said. In response, the town has added in-street ped…
Hudson County Officer In Deadly Secaucus Crash Won't Be Indicted: AG (VIDEO) Hudson County Officer In Deadly Secaucus Crash Won't Be Indicted: AG (VIDEO)
Hudson County Officer In Deadly Secaucus Crash Won't Be Indicted: AG (Video) A state grand jury declined to file criminal charges in the death of motorcyclist who was fleeing police in Secaucus in August 2023, authorities said. On Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023, Hudson County Sheriff Officer Andrew Conti attempted to stop a motorcycle, operated by Reymis Geronimo-Segura, a 28-year-old North Bergen resident, for motor vehicle violations, State Attorney General Matthew Platkin said (click here for bodyworn camera footage of the incident). Conti observed the motorcycle in the area of Paul Amico Way and Seaview Drive, Platkin said.  Conti followed the motorcycle on Count…
NJ Man, 45, Who Took Upskirt Photos Of Females 13 To 57 Released: Police NJ Man, 45, Who Took Upskirt Photos Of Females 13 To 57 Released: Police
NJ Man, 45, Who Took Upskirt Photos Of Females 13 To 57 Released: Police A 45-year-old Passaic County man is facing charges after police say he was caught taking upskirt photos underneath females' skirts and dresses in a Morris County store. Christopher Smith, of Ringwood, was seen in a Hanover business using his cell phone to record underneath the victims' skirts and dresses, police said.   He then would place his cell phone in a handbasket facing up, and then, he would hold the handbasket low to the ground, walk up behind his victims, and record up their skirt or dress, police said.  The store’s loss prevention assisted in identifying the victi…
Man In NJ Police Station Calls 9-1-1 Over Scented Candle — And It Didn't Stop There, Cops Say Man In NJ Police Station Calls 9-1-1 Over Scented Candle — And It Didn't Stop There, Cops Say
Man In NJ Police Station Calls 9-1-1 Over Scented Candle — And It Didn't Stop There, Cops Say A 34-year-old Hudson County man was jailed after police said he walked into a local police station and called 9-1-1 over a scented candle, and continued with similar behavior until he was jailed later that day, police said. Alfredo Gonzalez, of Guttenberg, waltzed into the police station on Wednesday, Oct. 2 to speak with officials from the public safety office, Guttenberg police said. While inside, Gonzalez expressed concern over the lighting of a scented candle, police said. Gonzalez then called the county's emergency dispatch line, requesting North Hudson Regional Fire & Rescue to th…
Teen Who Accidentally Shot Himself Last Year Arrested With Handgun, Extended Mag: Paterson PD Teen Who Accidentally Shot Himself Last Year Arrested With Handgun, Extended Mag: Paterson PD
Teen Who Accidentally Shot Himself Last Year Arrested With Handgun, Extended Mag: Paterson PD A 13-year-old boy who accidentally shot himself in the leg last year was found in possession of a semi-automatic handgun with an extended magazine on Friday, Sept. 27, Paterson police said. Detectives with the Community Stabilization Unit and Shooting Investigation Unit were conducting surveillance near Franklin and Mercer streets around 5:30 that evening when their attention was drawn to a male and a person of interest in a prior unrelated investigation, according to a spokesperson for the Attorney General's office, who oversees the Paterson Police Department.  Detectives re…
New Jersey Hospital Worker, Nursing Student Arrested In Dangerous Car Rally New Jersey Hospital Worker, Nursing Student Arrested In Dangerous Car Rally
New Jersey Hospital Worker, Nursing Student Arrested In Dangerous Car Rally An illegal car meetup with fires and a police officer nearly being struck has led to two more arrests — this time of people from outside the Philadelphia suburbs, police announced on Saturday, Sept. 28.  Alexis Boyce, 20 of Englishtown, NJ, turned herself into Philadelphia Police at 600 Arch Street at 11:15 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 27, and Albert Woynar, 18 of Pittsburgh, was arrested by Pennsylvania State Troopers later that day, Philadelphia Police detailed in the release. Both were wanted in connection with a 50-car meetup in the 7400 block of Bustleton Avenue on Saturday, Se…
Would-Be Jumper Hospitalized After Closing Lanes Of George Washington Bridge (UPDATE) Would-Be Jumper Hospitalized After Closing Lanes Of George Washington Bridge (UPDATE)
Would-Be Jumper Hospitalized After Closing Lanes Of George Washington Bridge (Update) A would-be George Washington Bridge jumper was hospitalized Tuesday night, Sept. 24, after bringing traffic along the bridge to a halt, authorities said. A spokesperson for the Port Authority Police Department confirmed the investigation but not have any further information as of 7:40 p.m. Wednesday morning, a spokesperson said that the incident was reported at 5:42 p.m. near the 179th Street ramp in the westbound lanes. All lanes along the ramp were closed. The man was removed and taken to a local hospital, the PAPD said. Traffic resumed at 7:24 p.m.
Woman Robbed At Gunpoint: Newark PD Woman Robbed At Gunpoint: Newark PD
Woman Robbed At Gunpoint: Newark PD A person was robbed at gunpoint in Newark on the evening of Monday, Sept. 16, authorities said. At 10:15 p.m., a woman exited her vehicle after parking on the 800 block of South 16th Street and was approached by a dark-colored, 4-door Honda HR-V sedan with a sunroof and dull metallic rims, Newark Public Safety Director Fritz Fragé said. A male passenger exited the car, brandished a handgun, and demanded the victim’s belongings, including her car keys, Fragé said. The suspect vehicle’s driver remained in the car, which fled after the robbery, heading northbound on South 16th Stree…
Shooting Suspects At Large In Newark: Police (PHOTO) Shooting Suspects At Large In Newark: Police (PHOTO)
Shooting Suspects At Large In Newark: Police (Photo) Police are looking for multiple suspects in connection with a shooting in Newark on Saturday, Aug. 24, authorities said. At 8:51 p.m., police responded to Dickerson Street near Hecker Street on a report of shots fired, Newark Public Safety Director Fritz G. Fragé said. Police did not locate any victims, but observed that a vehicle parked in the area and a residential building in the area were both struck by gunfire, Fragé said. Two people were riding on a scooter heading southbound on Hecker Street before an argument ensued with other people in the area, Fragé said. …
Bomb Scare Brings K9s, Major Police Presence To Bayonne Church, Pastor Says Bomb Scare Brings K9s, Major Police Presence To Bayonne Church, Pastor Says
Bomb Scare Brings K9s, Major Police Presence To Bayonne Church, Pastor Says A bomb scare brought a major police presence to a church in Bayonne over the weekend, according to the church's pastor. Rev. Raul Gaviola, the pastor at St. Henry RC Church on W. 29th Street, detailed the incident in a post on Facebook, saying it happened after the 5:30 p.m. Mass on Saturday, Sept. 21, as he was talking to parishioners. "I was informed by a police officer that they received a call that there would be an active shooting, and a pipe bomb going off at St. Henry at 7pm," the pastor wrote.  Gaviola said K9 units and the Jersey City bomb squad were called to the church, whi…
Man Intentionally Set Fire To Bayonne Home: Police Man Intentionally Set Fire To Bayonne Home: Police
Man Intentionally Set Fire To Bayonne Home: Police A 39-year-old Bayonne man was arrested and charged on Tuesday, Sept. 17 with setting a home ablaze in the city in July, authorities said. On the early morning of Monday, July 22, officers and firefighters responded to West 32nd Street on a report of a structure fire, the Bayonne Police Department said. The residents were not home and no injuries were reported, police said. A follow-up investigation conducted by the City of Bayonne Police Department Detective Bureau in conjunction with the City of Bayonne Fire Department determined that fire was incendiary in nature, police said. …
NJ Transit Driver Assaulted By 7 Juveniles In Paterson NJ Transit Driver Assaulted By 7 Juveniles In Paterson
NJ Transit Driver Assaulted By 7 Juveniles In Paterson A NJ Transit bus driver was hospitalized following an assault carried out by a group of juveniles in Paterson on Wednesday, Sept. 18, authorities said. An NJ Transit spokesperson said the attack happened just after 4:30 p.m. on the 171 line at the Broadway Bus Terminal. The operator was treated on scene by emergency medical personnel and taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The incident remains under investigation by NJT police.
Nine People Arrested During Illegal Racing Event: Newark Police Nine People Arrested During Illegal Racing Event: Newark Police
Nine People Arrested During Illegal Racing Event: Newark Police Nine people were arrested and charged with eluding during an illegal car racing event in Newark on Sunday, Sept. 15, authorities said. At 2:31 a.m., police responded to Doremus Avenue and Port Street on a report of several vehicles driving erratically in the middle of the street, Newark Public Safety Director Fritz Fragé said. Police observed 100 vehicles illegally blocking Doremus Avenue, Fragé said.  A large crowd surrounded a Newark police car, punching and kicking it, attempting to flip it over, Fragé said. The nine people arrested were: Daniel Cacula, a 23-year-o…
Man Broke Into Newark Jewelry Store With Hammer: Police Man Broke Into Newark Jewelry Store With Hammer: Police
Man Broke Into Newark Jewelry Store With Hammer: Police A man is at large after he broke into a Newark jewelry store using a hammer on Friday, Sept, 6, authorities said. At noon,  the suspect walked up to Vinhas Jewelry at 87 Ferry St. and broke the store’s front window with a small black hammer, Newark Public Safety Director Fritz Fragé said. The suspect, a Black male in his late 30s, reached through the small hole he created and grabbed several pieces of jewelry before fleeing, Fragé said. The suspect is described as 6" tall with a medium build and a receding hairline, was captured on surveillance video wearing a gray hoode…
Trespasser Electrocuted On Train Tracks In Newark: NJ Transit Trespasser Electrocuted On Train Tracks In Newark: NJ Transit
Trespasser Electrocuted On Train Tracks In Newark: NJ Transit A person trespassing on the train tracks in Newark was electrocuted on the afternoon of Wednesday, Sept. 12, authorities said. At 3:27 p.m., police responded to the tracks on the Morris and Essex Line near Roseville Avenue and 7th Avenue in Newark on a report of two people trespassing on the tracks, NJ Transit aid. The two were trespassing on an overhead signal structure when one was injured by electricity and fell to the tracks, NJ Transit said. Both were hospitalized and the extent of their injuries is unknown, NJ Transit said. Train traffic was held until the trespassers were removed, N…
PA Man Accused Of Drugging, Assaulting Women He Met On Sugar Daddy Site, DA Says PA Man Accused Of Drugging, Assaulting Women He Met On Sugar Daddy Site, DA Says
PA Man Accused Of Drugging, Assaulting Women He Met On Sugar Daddy Site, DA Says At least six women are known to have been sexually assaulted after going out with a man they met on an online dating site who ended up drugging them, District Attorney Jennifer Schorn and Bristol Township Police Chief Robert Coulton announced on Wednesday, Sept. 11.  Andrew Gallo, 40, of Copper Beech Lane, Bristol Township, was charged with five counts of rape by causing impairment, six counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, four counts of strangulation, two counts of selling or furnishing liquor or malt or brewed beverage to minors, and one count each of s…
Lockdown Lifted At Bloomfield High School: Police Lockdown Lifted At Bloomfield High School: Police
Lockdown Lifted At Bloomfield High School: Police Bloomfield High School was placed on lockdown after an unauthorized juvenile was located near the building on the morning of Wednesday, Sept. 11, authorities said. Officers were notified by high school staff about the juvenile and the building was placed on lockdown as law enforcement conducted a search, Bloomfield police said. Officers said the unauthorized individual left the area of the high school, police said. There were no reported injuries and everyone is safe, police said. The lockdown was lifted and normal activity resumed at the high school, police said.
Campfire Accidentally Sparked Huge Wildfire Near Jersey Shore Neighborhood: Investigators Campfire Accidentally Sparked Huge Wildfire Near Jersey Shore Neighborhood: Investigators
Campfire Accidentally Sparked Huge Wildfire Near Jersey Shore Neighborhood: Investigators An illegal and abandoned campfire started a massive wildfire that burned for three days in Ocean County, authorities said. Investigators determined the wildfire was accidentally started by "an unknown person(s) improperly extinguishing a campfire," Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release on Wednesday, Sept. 11. The roughly 189-acre wildfire burned near Fishers Pit, a sand and gravel pit in the Bayville section of Berkeley Township. In its final update, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said the wildfire was 100 percent contained a…
17-Year-Old Swimmer Brings Newark Police To Passaic River: Cops 17-Year-Old Swimmer Brings Newark Police To Passaic River: Cops
17-Year-Old Swimmer Brings Newark Police To Passaic River: Cops A 17-year-old was swimming in the Passaic River on the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 10, authorities said. At 7:50 a.m., Newark police responded to Bridge Street and McCarter Highway on a report of the teen in the water, Newark Public Safety Director Fritz Fragé said. Police made contact with the swimmer when he emerged from the water, Fragé said. The swimmer is reportedly uninjured, Fragé said. This incident remains under investigation, Fragé said. 
Woman Assaulted, Spat On NJ Transit Bus By Man: Newark Police Woman Assaulted, Spat On NJ Transit Bus By Man: Newark Police
Woman Assaulted, Spat On NJ Transit Bus By Man: Newark Police A man spat on a woman and assaulted her on an NJ Transit Bus in Newark on Tuesday, Aug. 27, authorities said. At 1 p.m., the woman and the man engaged in a verbal altercation while on the bus at Broad Street and Branford Place, Newark Public Safety Director Fritz G. Fragé said. The man spit in the woman's face and a physical altercation ensued with the man punching the woman in the face, Fragé said. The woman received medical treatment for her injuries at an area hospital, Fragé said. The suspect is described as 5'8" and 140 lbs. with a medium brown complexion…
Man Shot In Newark: Police Man Shot In Newark: Police
Man Shot In Newark: Police A man was shot in Newark on the early morning of Sunday, Sept. 8, authorities said. At 4:38 a.m., police responded to the 400 block of Washington Street and located the man who had been shot, Newark Public Safety Director Fritz Fragé said. He was transported to a nearby hospital where he is in stable condition, authorities said. The shooting remains under investigation, authorities said.