Download 2011 Police Department Annual Report (2 MB PDF)

As another year passes I have taken a moment to reflect on all that we have experienced over thesepast twelve months. 2011 was a year where we faced many challenges associated with theeconomic downturn, which manifested itself in many ways, including reduced staffing levels, leanoperating budgets, and increased crime rates. This was the first time in the history of the Departmentthat we had the unpleasant responsibility of implementing furloughs and layoffs, this in direct responseto the worsening financial situation within the township government. Additionally, many officers, andseveral command level officers, retired from service bringing our operational strength down tonumbers not seen in decades. Despite these difficulties the Montclair Police Department, with itsdedicated team of law enforcement professionals, continued to deliver high quality police services tothe citizenry of Montclair.2011 was also a year of significant, diligent, and purposeful police work by members of thisDepartment. As you will see in the pages of this annual report, there have been many remarkableefforts by patrol officers and detectives alike that have greatly contributed to the safety and well-beingof this community. In addition to the crime fighting/enforcement operations we have conducted, wehave also worked hard to improve our contact and communication with the community. Increasingcommunity foot patrols and patrols on the Department’s T-3 (Segway style vehicle) in designatedbusiness districts and neighborhoods has helped us improve our visibility in the community and hasimproved our contacts and communication with the residents. Our improved web site and expandedcontent has also helped us communicate more effectively and provide information residents haveasked for. Maintaining communication with the public, earning trust, and working together to addressproblems that affect us all are critical components to effective policing.The Montclair Police Department will continue to pursue innovative ways to provide effectiveservices to the community and insure that our programs and strategies are successfully addressingits needs. Through expanded use of technology, training, communication, and community input, Ibelieve we will not only continue to meet the needs of our residents, we will exceed their expectations.We are more than a police department responsible for combating crime; we are one of service to ourcommunity.Respectfully,David P. SabaghChief of Police

TABLE OF CONTENTSCalls for Service, Arrests, and Crime Rates 1Professional Standards Office 2Field Training 2Policy Development / Accreditation 3Patrol Division 4Patrol Division, Midnight Tour 5Patrol Division, Day Tour 5Patrol Division, Evening Tour 6Crime Control Cameras 6Investigative Division 7Detective Bureau 7Crime Analysis Unit 8Narcotics Bureau 8Juvenile Aid Bureau (JAB) 9Gang Intelligence Officer 10Records & Identification Bureau 11Uniform Division Office / Traffic Bureau 12Uniform Division Office / Traffic Bureau (Continued) 13Support Service Bureau 14Critical Response Team (CRT) 14Office of Emergency Management (OEM) 15Essex County Rapid Deployment Team (RDT) 15Honor Guard 15Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) 16Active Shooter Training 16Communications Center / Dispatch Personnel 17Municipal Prosecutor 17Montclair Police Athletic League 18In the Community 18Special Olympics Torch Run and Summer Games 19Notable Incidents 20Notable Incidents 21Notable Incidents 22Notable Incidents 23Department Roster 24

CALLS FOR SERVICE2009 2010 201155,967 55,789 57,496(4,664 / MONTH) (4,649 / MONTH) (4,791 / MONTH)ARRESTS 2009 2010 2011ADULTS 1015 578 652JUVENILES 197 147 142TOTAL 1212 725 794CRIME RATESThe Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program is a nationwide, cooperativestatistical effort of city, county and state law enforcement agencies compilingdata on reported crimes. These statistics are gathered at the state level andsubmitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigations. These numbers assist lawenforcement in determining crime trends and in measuring criminal activitywithin their respective jurisdictions. In 2011, overall crime increased by 19.71%.UNIFORM CRIME REPORT TOTALS2009 2010 2011624 708 7471

OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL STANDARDSCAPTAIN SCOTT A. ROBERSONThe Office of Professional Standards is responsible for the investigation ofall Internal Affairs complaints and special investigations as assigned by theChief of Police. The Internal Affairs Officer conducts all investigations ofalleged police misconduct, conducts all mandatory drug screening tests, isresponsible for all Department inspections, and prepares summary reports ofall investigations and allegations for the Prosecutor’s Office.FIELD TRAININGSERGEANT THOMAS FLYNN, PROGRAM COORDINATORThe Montclair Police Field Training Officer (FTO) Program isdesigned to assist the newly hired officer gain technical and practicalexpertise as they transition into their solo officer assignments. For 12weeks, the newly hired officer is partnered with a specially trained,experienced, training officer who conducts standardized evaluations andtraining based on the industry standard “San Jose Model”.MISSION STATEMENTIn order to meet the exceedingly high demands of the law enforcement professional,the Montclair Police Department Field Training Officer Program is committed to providingits new members comprehensive training in the field prior to their assignment in thepatrol division. The Montclair Police Department Field Training Officer Program’s missionis to train the new member with the finest quality materials and personnel possible, therebyenabling the member to perform at their maximum potential.VISION STATEMENTOur vision is to maintain and continually develop a Field Training Officer Program ofthe highest caliber possible. We envision that this program will serve as a model for allother law enforcement agencies.Members of the Montclair Police Department’s Field Training Officer Program strive toachieve the program’s mission and vision while embodying the Program’s core values ofCommitment, Honor, Duty, Integrity and Excellence.In 2011, four experienced patrol officers were trained as Field Training Officers andinducted into the Montclair Police Department’s FTO Program. The newly inductedtrainers received training that included instructional methods, criminal/traffic law andprocedure, Departmental polices and procedures, as well as essential elements of the 12week “San Jose Model” training and evaluation program.2

POLICY DEVELOPMENT/ACCREDITATIONSERGEANT THOMAS FLYNN, PROGRAM COORDINATORThe Policy Development/Accreditation Program Coordinator reviews new and existingpolicies and procedures in an effort to facilitate efficient and effective operation of theDepartment and reduce potential liability. He also researches changes in NJ Statestatutes, judicial decisions, and federal law, and recommends initiatives and/or changesin standard operating procedures and policies to the Chief of Police.These resulting implementations or changes are constructed to be compliant with thestandards established by the national Commission on Accreditation for Law EnforcementAgencies (CALEA). CALEA was created in 1979 as a credentialing authority through thejoint efforts of law enforcement's major executive associations:International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP);National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE);National Sheriffs' Association (NSA); and thePolice Executive Research Forum (PERF).Their standards are a set of nationally recognized law enforcement “best practices”,which serve as benchmarks for today’s public safety agencies.The New Jersey Law Enforcement Accreditation Program was designed and developedto provide a reasonable and cost effective plan for the professionalization of lawenforcement agencies within the State.According to the New Jersey Municipal Excess Liability Joint Insurance Fund [“MEL”],accredited agencies have:11% fewer police professional liability claims18% fewer workers compensation claims and31% fewer auto liability claimsMoreover, municipalities that participate in a MEL-affiliated Joint Insurance Fund standto receive substantial insurance premium discounts when their police department attainsaccreditation.In 2011, over 11,500 electronic signatures were gathered electronically through theDepartment’s paperless written directive management system. This environmentallyfriendly method continued to reduce logistical difficulties and costs commonly associatedwith printing. In addition to policy and procedure/standards management, the system wasutilized for e-training, employee testing and employee surveys.3

PATROL DIVISIONDEPUTY CHIEF PERRY T. MAYERSPatrol is under the command of Deputy Chief Perry T. Mayers,who also oversees the Support Services Bureau, and the Uniform &Traffic Bureau. Patrol is the uniformed backbone and most visiblesubdivision of the Department. They service the 38,000 residentsof the 6.16 square mile township. Patrol Officers are fully trained tohandle any call for service. Their primary responsibility is theprotection of life and property while responding to calls for servicefrom the community. These calls can range from disturbances,medical emergencies, domestic violence incidents, and motor vehicle accidents, toburglaries/robberies in progress and death investigations.Patrol is made up of officers from the rank of Patrol Officerto Captain. These Officers work either Days (7am-3pm), Evenings(3pm-11pm), or Midnights (11pm-7am), providing 24 hour coverageto the town, 365 days a year.Patrol is the most recognizable part of the police department andhas the most contact with residents and visitors of the township. TheOfficers are most frequently seen in marked police cruisers. Thevehicles are equipped with mobile data terminals / laptop computers, video surveillancecameras, and first aid equipment including defibrillators - all of which are intended to makeMontclair a safer place to live and work.EACH TOUR IS COMMANDED BY A CAPTAINMIDNIGHT TOUR COMMANDER: CAPTAIN JAMES J. CARLUCCIDAY TOUR COMMANDER: CAPTAIN TIMOTHY M. CUMMINGSEVENING TOUR COMMANDER: CAPTAIN WILLIAM A. FRAZZANOAs the First Responders to criminal complaints, patrol officers are responsible forseeing to the medical needs of anyone involved, interviewing witnesses, recognizing andpreserving evidence, determining whether, in fact, a crime has been committed, andidentifying and ultimately arresting those responsible.Officers of the Patrol Division are also expected to provide proactive services such astraffic enforcement, crime detection and suppression, the conducting of business andproperty checks, and initiating contacts with community members. These officers are alsothe front line of defense against terrorism by confronting potential terrorists duringactivities such as routine traffic stops and responses to calls for service. Every patrolofficer knows the dangers inherent with their assignments. In a split second, the mostroutine activity can develop into a potentially deadly situation.Additional responsibilities of the Patrol Division include providing support for MunicipalCourt security and transportation of prisoners to the Essex County CorrectionalFacility. While the Patrol Division has a common mission, each shift may face uniquechallenges and objectives.4

PATROL - MIDNIGHT TOURThe Midnight Tour is frequently confronted with incidents that stem from our local bars,night clubs, and eateries. In an effort to proactively address associated quality of lifeissues, various strategies were employed. These included continued surveillance of theselocations during their hours of operation, while closing, and saturating the areawith patrol units when necessary.Midnight Tour Supervisors require all patrol staff to perform premise checks attwenty-four hour establishments that are open during their tour of duty; in an attempt todeter potential crime or other problems.In conjunction with DWI enforcement, radar enforcement and traffic safetyenforcement still remain a part of the Midnight Tour Officer’s duty. These efforts haveresulted in numerous summonses issued, arrests of DWI offenders, and arrests of thosewanted on outstanding arrest warrants.In addition to their regular patrol activities, the Midnight Tour, also enforces theTownship’s overnight parking ordinances.MIDNIGHT TOUR 2009 2010 2011CALLS FOR SERVICE 12,903 12,126 14,125WRITTEN REPORTS 326 287 307TRAFFIC STOPS 3,401 2,642 2,104ARRESTS 267 297 156AREA CHECKS 4,804 4,874 7,189PATROL - DAY TOURThe foundation of the Day Tour is to provide police protection and to serve thecommunity during day time hours. The Day Tour is staffed with experienced Officers thatknow the Township well. The officers assigned to the tour are service oriented and look toprovide a variety of services to enhance the quality of life in our community. Their yearsof service and knowledge only enhance their relationships within the town.Throughout the year of 2011, a greater emphasis was placed on railroad station checks,area and store checks, as well as traffic safety. These proactive techniques wereperformed in addition to the Officers regular patrol activities.DAY TOUR 2009 2010 2011CALLS FOR SERVICE 22,477 19,572 20,055WRITTEN REPORTS 1,881 1,135 1,089TRAFFIC STOPS 5,217 4,296 3,965ARRESTS 233 147 125AREA CHECKS 5,598 4,207 4,9405

PATROL - EVENING TOURThis past year, the Evening Tour placed a strong emphasis on issues affectingMontclair residents’ quality of life. Officers detected violations and cited numeroussummonses for offenses including, excessive noise, disorderly conduct, blocking publicpassage ways and the consumption of alcoholic beverages in public.When staffing permitted, resources were allocated to address areas of concern thatwere identified through departmental CompStat meetings. Some initiatives undertakenincluded deploying plain clothes officers to detect and apprehend car thieves, assigningofficers to foot patrol in high crime areas, and conducting speed enforcement details toincrease pedestrian safety and enforce speeding violations.There was a 15.191 % increase from the preceding year in the Evening Tour’s total callsfor service. Written reports taken during the Evening Tour also increased 5.566 % fromlast year.EVENING TOUR 2009 2010 2011CALLS FOR SERVICE 20,587 24,091 23,316WRITTEN REPORTS 1,096 1,157 1,127TRAFFIC STOPS 4,617 3,893 3,488ARRESTS 346 302 303AREA CHECKS 4,054 6,806 7,358CRIME CONTROL CAMERASIn 2011, the Department continued maintenance and monitoring of the crime camerasystem throughout the Township. Officers have made good use of this cutting edge crimefighting tool as it has proven to truly enhance their efforts. When staffing permitted,officers have been assigned to “Virtual Patrol" details whichresulted in the early detection of various criminal acts and theapprehension of many criminals. These “Virtual Patrol" detailsallow one officer to virtually be within numerous areas in townat one time with an advanced field of view. These camerashave also proven to be extremely valuable when investigatingreportable incidents and crimes that have occurred. Frommotor vehicle crashes to burglaries, information gathered fromthese cameras provides officers with accurate accounts ofactivities within their area.6

INVESTIGATIVE DIVISIONDEPUTY CHIEF TODD M. CONFORTIThe Investigation Division is under the command of Deputy Chief Todd M. Conforti,who oversees the Detective Bureau, the Juvenile Aid Bureau, the Vice Control Unit, andthe Records and Identification Bureau.The Montclair Police Department Investigative Division is responsible for conductingfollow-up criminal investigations for a wide assortment of offenses, including but notlimited to, Narcotic Violations, Burglaries, Thefts, Robberies, Sexual Assaults, MissingPersons, Child Abuse, Homicide, Financial and Identity Thefts, and other in depth or longterm investigations. Detectives work with members of the Montclair Police Department,other municipal, county and State law enforcement agencies as well as Federalagencies, such as the FBI, ATF, DEA and Secret Service. Detectives are trained inadvanced crime scene processing, interviewing, criminal investigations, etc.DETECTIVE BUREAU 2009 2010 2011INVESTIGATIONS ASSIGNED 944 996 1,045CASES CLOSED WITH ARREST 262 261 219CASES CLOSED 516 281 463SEARCH WARRANTS 12 2 9EVIDENCE SEIZED 658 600 428DETECTIVE BUREAULIEUTENANT SCOTT C. BUEHLER, COMMANDERThe Detective Bureau is tasked with the investigation of allcrimes committed by adult offenders within the Township and thepreparation of cases to be adjudicated in both Municipal andSuperior Courts. The Detective Bureau also is responsible for theinvestigation of all domestic violence offenses committed withinthe Township. A specially trained investigator is assigned to workthese high priority cases. The Domestic Violence ResponseTeam (DVRT), coordinated from within the Detective Bureau, iscomprised of a group of volunteer residents who assist victims of domestic violenceduring this very difficult time.EVIDENCEAll adult, non-narcotic, criminal case evidence that this Department assumes controlover is maintained by a supervisor within this Bureau. All pieces of evidence areinventoried and stored until formal requests for discovery are processed. Uponadjudication of each case, these items are released and returned to the owners,destroyed, or turned over to another agency. In 2011, evidence was seized in 428cases/investigations and maintained by the Evidence Control Officer.7

CRIME ANALYSIS UNITOn a daily basis, all police reports are reviewed and important information (i.e. targetdescriptors, suspect descriptors, suspect vehicle descriptors, modusoperandi factors, physical evidence information, and geographicfactors) is recorded. The Crime Analysis Unit prepares reports forthe monthly CompStat meetings. Maps are computergenerated in order to accurately analyze crime patterns, basedon types of crime, times they occur, and offender patterns.Additional reports/charts are generated which aid in determiningaccountability and the most effective deployments of personnel.NARCOTICS BUREAUSERGEANT WILLIAM KAGAN, COMMANDERThe Narcotics Bureau is responsible for investigating drugactivity, prostitution, gambling, and alcohol related offenses, withthe majority of time spent on drug related activity. Incarrying out its objective, detectives identify, investigate, andapprehend violators of controlled dangerous substance laws andvice-related crimes that are operating in, or involve the Townshipof Montclair. The preparation of these cases forprosecution is also the responsibility of the investigatingdetectives. Repeat offenders involved in drug distribution andvice related crimes are targeted for future investigation. Detectives also make efforts todiscourage open-air drug transactions and eliminate drug activities in school zones.The Narcotics Bureau personnel also investigate State issued alcoholic beveragelicensees who operate in the Township of Montclair for compliance with alcoholicbeverage control laws, rules and regulations.For the third year in a row, the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration sponsoreda state-wide program, “Operation Take Back”. The goal of the program is to allow thecitizens of New Jersey to deliver all of their unused, unwanted, or expired medications tolaw enforcement officials who can, in turn, dispose of these controlled substances in asafe and non-hazardous manner, preventing these drugs from falling into the hands ofjuveniles or into the illicit market in our communities. The Montclair Police Departmentparticipated in the program for the second consecutive year. The event was held atMontclair Police Department headquarters and coordinated by the Narcotics Bureau.NARCOTICS ARRESTS 2009 2010 2011NARCOTICS / VICE 67 55 86OTHER 13 20 10TOTAL 80 75 96SEARCH WARRANTS 2009 2010 2011ISSUED 49 52 21EXECUTED 42 39 198

JUVENILE AID BUREAU J.A.B.LIEUTENANT ROBERT G. ROWAN, COMMANDERThe Montclair Police Department Juvenile Aid Bureau (JAB) is responsible forinvestigating all crimes committed by juveniles that occur within the Township of Montclair.Detectives are specially trained to conduct criminal investigations, as well as interact with,and mediate problems that youths may have. In addition, they continually receivetraining to assist in their investigative duties and enhance their skills.The Juvenile Aid Bureau's primary objective is to protect theyouth within this community. This is performed by maintaining aconstant, meaningful, and positive communication with the youthin order to develop cooperative relationships and facilitateleadership skills. It is important to identify youths at risk and toprovide an arena in which positive interaction/intervention cantake place between youths, parents, school staff, and the police.In addition, the Juvenile Aid Bureau must detect and arrestoffenders, keeping in mind some of the alternatives that are unique to the Juvenile AidBureau (i.e. curbside warning, stationhouse adjustment, mediation).A member of the Juvenile Aid Bureau also serves as a liaison to the JuvenileConference Committee, which consists of a panel of six to nine trained citizen volunteerswho hear the cases of minor juvenile offenders. Recommendations, if approved by thejudge, become a court order which is monitored by the Juvenile Conference Committee(JCC). The program is designed to divert juveniles charged with first or second time minoroffenses to their local JCC, which acts as a community-based arm of the Family Court.In 2011, the Committee heard 59 cases.JUVENILE DISPOSITIONS 2009 2010 2011TOTAL COMPLAINTS 237 259 224CURBSIDE ADJUSTMENTS 0 4 0STATIONHOUSE ADJUSTMENTS 10 14 18MEDIATIONS 112 106 85CONFERENCE COMMITTEE 31 42 59JUVENILE ARRESTS 2009 2010 2011JUVENILE AID BUREAU 64 46 48SCHOOL RESOURCE OFC. 46 28 11DETECTIVE / NARCOTICS 14 4 6PATROL 73 82 79TOTAL 197 160 144SENTENCING 2009 2010 2011PARENT /GUARDIAN 157 110 117JUVENILE DETENTION 33 27 27SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER SROThe Montclair Police Department has a specially trainedofficer assigned to the Montclair High School in the capacity of SchoolResource Officer. This officer works with the staff and students to resolveconflicts, teach, and mentor the children as they navigate through the highschool system. In 2010 the SRO was involved in over 1004 field contactswith students and made 28 arrests. One of the activities the SROparticipated in was, “School Violence Awareness Week”, an outreach program coordinatedin conjunction with the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. TheSRO was also an advisor for Students Against Violence Everywhere (S.A.V.E.), astudent-initiated program that promotes nonviolence within schools and communities.9

GANG INTELLIGENCE OFFICERAs of this date, one hundred-five subjects have been identified as Gang Members/Affiliates. All subjects are listed in the Department’s Cody System and GangIdentification/Intelligence database. The Gang Overview for Montclair has slightly changedover the past year. Gang involvement has had a slight increase of 8%. The increases thisyear were mainly attributable to transient persons passing through Montclair. Local gangmembers continue to have relationships with gang members in other jurisdictions.Local gang membership stabilized this year. The overt gang activity has been suppressedas a result of several identified members that were charged with the gang recruitingstatute, which resulted in enhanced penalties. Additionally, it has become commonknowledge that the School Resource Officer identified several members in connectionwith the four local gangs identified last year. There was one new group causing problemsat Mount Hebron Middle School, this was quickly suppressed througheducation and intervention.GANG INTELLIGENCE 2009 2010 2011BLOOD AFFILIATE 26 24 24BLOOD CONFIRMED 16 30 34CRIP AFFILIATE 3 4 4CRIP CONFIRMED 13 15 16HALLOW CRIME FAMILY 3 3 35% 2 2 2LATIN KINGS • 2 3HFL • 6 6OYG • 4 4MSFB • 3 2EMPIRE • 4 6OTHER • • 1TOTAL 63 97 105Our local gangs remain loosely organized with no identifiable rank structure. Localgang members continue to have ties to gangs outside of Montclair, primarily in the EssexCounty area. We continue to closely monitor the gang situation, gatherintelligence, and educate our officers and community.Over the course of 2011, we have provided Gang Identification Training to thefollowing organizations: Montclair High School Faculty/Staff, Montclair High Students,Mount Hebron Middle School, and Youth Consultation Services (YCS).In an effort to obtain updated intelligence, we continue to exchange information withthe following law enforcement agencies:• ESSEX COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE, VIPER UNITNEW JERSEY STATE POLICE, STREET GANG UNITSTATE OF NEW JERSEY, COMMISSION OF INVESTIGATION • EAST COAST GANG INVESTIGATORS ASSOCIATIONNEW JERSEY GANG INVESTIGATORS ASSOCIATION10

RECORDS & IDENTIFICATION BUREAULIEUTENANT RICHARD CAVANAUGH, COMMANDERThe Records and Identification Bureau is responsible formaintaining all of the paper and digital records for the entireDepartment. These records include criminal arrest records,incident reports, accident reports, and all supplemental reportsgenerated by this Department. These records may be subject tothe Open Public Record Act (OPRA) and the requests thatare fulfilled must adhere to specific time frames.Requests for records kept by this Bureau are also furnished to defense attorneysfollowing court rules regarding discovery. Discoverable documents are copied and madeavailable to defense attorneys after their requests have been approved by theProsecutor. Fees are assessed and these documents are filed so they may be pickedup. In 2011, there were 432 municipal court discovery requests made by attorneys.The Record and Identification Bureau also has the responsibility of processingarrestees charged with certain offenses. During the past year the Record andIdentification Bureau fingerprinted and/or photographed 547 prisoners.Another function of this Bureau is to perform background investigations on residentswho apply for Firearms ID Cards/Pistol Purchase Permits. In 2011, 106 Pistol PurchasePermits were issued. There were also 57 Firearm Identification Cards issued in 2011.Separate and more comprehensive than the above mentioned investigations, 2 permitsto carry a pistol were also approved.Detectives within this Bureau are also trained crime scene investigators and areequipped to process such scenes and compile follow-up investigations. Recognizing andgathering evidence is commonly handled by this Bureau. The submission of these piecesof evidence to state and county laboratories is monitored by the individualdetective so the results may be incorporated into their reports. The Crime Scene Unitresponded to 177 crime scenes in the past year.I.D. BUREAU 2009 2010 2011PRISONERS PROCESSED 662 629 547CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATIONS 143 175 177PISTOL PURCHASE PERMITS 115 119 106FIREARMS I.D. CARDS 47 55 57DISCOVERIES PREPARED 616 506 43211

UNIFORM DIVISION OFFICE/TRAFFIC BUREAULIEUTENANT KENNETH MISCIA, COMMANDERThe Uniform Division Office (UDO) is responsible for overseeing the daily operationsof the patrol division, maintaining the scheduling of the police department, and specialevents. The coordination of off-duty assignments such as road construction details andcrowd control for major events is also the responsibility of this office.The Traffic Bureau is responsible for the enforcement of motor vehicle laws,educating the community of the laws and safety, assistance in roadway engineering andassessment, and the review of all motor vehicle crash reports. The UDO & Traffic Bureauis also responsible for the hiring, training, and scheduling of 44 full-time, and 2 spareschool crossing guards. The Uniform Division Office works in conjunction withthe Traffic Bureau, sharing all personnel and responsibilities.Each of the Montclair Police Department's accident investigators has received variousdegrees of training, beginning with the basic Crash Investigation course. Others haveprogressed through three additional phases of training to become Certified AccidentReconstructionists. In order to aid the safe and efficient flow of traffic, conditions thatrequired engineering adjustments were recognized on roads within the Township. Thefollowing are some initiatives undertaken in 2011:TRAFFIC SUMMONS 2009 2010 2011MOVING 9,224 8,080 6,922SPEEDING 1,296 995 921TOTAL 10,520 9,075 7,843TRAFFIC SAFETY MEASURES FOR 2011Changed the drop-off/pick-up procedures at Watchung SchoolWorked in conjunction with the Montclair High School Safe Action Team to improvevehicle/pedestrian congestion around the high school and Renaissance Middle School.Ordinance passed restricting all turns at Park Street and Chestnut Street during themorning hours to make traffic flow better due to large groups of students crossing.Ordinance passed for No Stopping or Standing in front of high school on ChestnutStreet to prevent drop-offs/pick-ups where the buses operate. Instead, new drop-off/pickupzones were designated on Midland Avenue and North Fullerton Avenue.Mid-block crosswalk was added outside of Renaissance SchoolPassed ordinance that restricts trucks and buses from traveling westbound up BerkeleyPlace from North Mountain Avenue due to increased amount of motor vehicle accidents.Installed traffic calming measures on Upper Mountain, specifically by completing lanestriping for the length of Upper Mountain Avenue.A VMS (Variable Message Sign) was used throughout the township for various speedcalming and important traffic messages.12

UNIFORM DIVISION OFFICE/TRAFFIC BUREAU CONTINUEDTraffic Unit and Motorcycle SquadDUTIES PERFORMED BY THE TRAFFIC BUREAUTPAC Meetings - Actively attend meeting of the recentlycombined committee. Traffic Safety issues were addedto the already existing Parking Advisory Committee.Speed Trailer - Placement of Speed Trailer throughoutthe Township in an effort to make drivers more aware oftheir speed, and of the posted speed limit.Speed Sentry Signs - Placement of our four (4) SpeedSentry Signs throughout the Township in targeted areas.These signs can flash the speed of the approaching vehicle(s), and when necessary, recordthe amount of vehicular traffic, and their speeds.Walk Safe and Provisional Drivers - Classes are regularly taught at the Montclair HighSchool to educate students on pedestrian safety as well as rules for provisional drivers.Topics included how to properly cross a roadway, utilize crosswalks if available, walk withthe green and not in between, and yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.Safe Routes to School - The Traffic Bureau has remained current with the developments inthe SRTS program. At least one member of the Traffic Bureau is present at all SRTSmeetings and contributes to the issues. In 2011, the Montclair Police Department wasawarded another grant through the SRTS federal grant. The grant money will provide forvarious traffic enforcement details in the vicinity of the Township schools.Passaic County Aggressive Driving Task Force - Our Traffic Bureau continues to work inconjunction with Passaic County Agencies, in addition to our bordering agencies, to addressthe problems associated with Aggressive Driving within Montclair and on our borders.AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE RECOGNITION (ALPR)In 2011, the Montclair Police Department continued toutilize its ALPR systems to improve the efficiency andeffectiveness of their enforcement efforts.Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) technologyis rapidly growing as an effective tool to combat criminalactivity, enhance productivity and improve officer safety. Usinga system of cameras mounted on a Montclair Police vehicle, thesystem scans the surrounding area for license plates. The system captures color images ofeach vehicle, as well as an infrared image of the plate, which is converted into a text file thatis then checked against onboard databases of interest (stolen vehicles, wanted felons,AMBER alerts, etc). In the event of a “hit”, an audible and visual alert notifies the officerwhere they can then take the appropriate actions.Depending on the amount of vehicular traffic, the system can check tens of thousands ofplates per shift, freeing up the officer for other duties. The system also provides historical dataassociated with a license plate. By making officers aware of their surroundings and alertingthem to potentially dangerous situations before they happen, ALPR technology can help toavoid conflicts and save lives.13

SUPPORT SERVICES BUREAUSERGEANT JOHN F. CARLO, COMMANDERThe Support Services Bureau has the responsibility of maintaining the facilities atPolice Headquarters and the 9-1-1 Dispatch Center and acts as the operations orlogistics service for all departmental information systems, communications, fleetmanagement and other technology. This includes, but is not limited to, radio andtelephone communications, public closed circuit camera systems, office and mobilecomputers, network administration and support, and the purchase of all policeequipment. The Bureau acts as a liaison to all service and repair contractors andprocesses all bid proposals.The staff in the Support Services Bureau is responsible for overseeing in excess of500 department training courses and re-certifications annually.SPECIAL PROJECTS FOR 2011The Support Services Bureau re-engineered the rear parking lot of policeheadquarters. This project involved grading, paving, fencing, striping and improveddrainage. PSE&G provided no cost update to the 30 year old lighting to brighter highefficient lighting. The parking lot renovation allowed for many of the police vehicles to berelocated from the street into the more secure parking lot, greatly improved theappearance of the area, and relieved congestion along Valley Road.For 2011, The Support Services Bureau also installed and implemented a newserver for the Professional Standards Bureau that keeps a database of all civiliancomplaints and other internal affairs case files. The Bureau also set up a direct networkconnection to HIDTANET, a federal photo lineup system that allows detectives to formconstitutionally compliant computerized photo lineups for witnesses to identify offenders.This year, the Support Services Bureau began utilizing open source operating systemsand software in order to cut costs on the purchase of servers, data storage, appliances,and backup applications. These alternative operating systems tend to run more stableand secure and the cost of hardware is reduced.CRITICAL RESPONSE TEAM C.R.T.CAPTAIN JAMES CARLUCCI, COMMANDERThe Montclair Police operates a team of specially trained officers thatutilizes special weapons and tactics to combat serious threat events such asbarricaded subjects, hostage situations, active shooter situations, crowdcontrol and many other high risk incidents.These Officers train frequently with areaS.W.A.T. teams as well as the F.B.I..The prime objective of the Critical Response Team shallbe the resolution of high-risk police situations withminimum use of force, injury, and property damage whilereducing community tensions during crisis situations.14

OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENTLT. KENNETH V. MISCIA, JR.DEPUTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATORThe mission of the Township of Montclair Office of Emergency Management(OEM) is to maintain a high level of preparedness, to protect the citizens of theTownship of Montclair; to mitigate loss of life and vital assets prior to, during, and in theimmediate aftermath of a disaster; and to facilitate the speedy recovery of the townshipin the mid and long term intervals following a disaster.OEM has the statutory responsibility to coordinate all township emergency responseplans. OEM's responsibilities are to identify vulnerabilities, effectively mitigate disasters,public education, respond to all-hazard emergency situations, protect the township's firstresponders, ensure continuity of government and business, and to facilitate an effectiverecovery. OEM will coordinate with local, state, and federal agencies, as well as privateentities to develop, maintain, and implement the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP).OEM is prepared to activate an Emergency Operations Center during any major disasterto allow for the coordination of all support agencies to provide continuity of services tothe public.ESSEX COUNTY RAPID DEPLOYMENT TEAMIn addition to the traditional police activities and responsibilities police officersnormally address, the Department must also address many of the Homeland Securityinitiatives that have been mandated. One of the most significant of these initiatives is therequired staffing of a Rapid Deployment Team (RDT) as part of the Urban AreaSecurity Initiative (UASI). This team of officers is part of the Essex County RDT, which isa specially trained team of police officers equipped with specialized gear for dealing withterror and disaster-related incidents.HONOR GUARDOFFICER PETER J. MISCIA, COMMANDERThe Honor Guard is the formal unit of theMontclair Police Department charged withperforming at ceremonial rites or observances. TheHonor Guard Personnel includes members of theDepartment who exemplify professionalism as lawenforcement officers. The Honor Guard is a selfsufficiententity that trains together as a flexible anddisciplined unit. The Honor Guard personifiesprofessional decorum, respect, and strives toward perfection in presentation and displayof The Colors of the Township of Montclair, and The United States of America. The HonorGuard performs these displays at the following public functions: parades, holidayobservances, funerals, public dedications, burials of public officials, and public exhibitions(as deemed appropriate).15

CRISIS INTERVENTION TRAININGCrisis Intervention Training is a program whereby police officersare provided training to deal with individuals with mental illnesses.Included in the training are the procedures for conflict resolution,de-escalation, and active listening. The officers are then informed ofthe resources available to the mental health patient and their family.The purpose of the program is to attempt to divert mentally illpeople from the criminal justice system, if appropriate, and find them suitable treatment.Records and Identification Bureau Commander, Lt. Cavanaugh and Manuela Garciaof the Mental Health Association of Essex County, partnered to convene a summit with 35different agencies consisting of Law Enforcement and Mental Health professionals.This event, a first in the history of Essex County, was attended by the Essex CountyProsecutor, Judges, Psychiatrists, Licensed Clinical social workers and high rankingofficials from such agencies as UMDNJ, Newark Beth Israel, East Orange Generalhospital, The Mental Health Association of Essex, NAMI, N.J. Transit Police, Newark Police.The outcome of the two part summit resulted in cooperation among the variousagencies, the institution of a formal C.I.T. training program to commence in the spring of2012, and a dissemination of information regarding agencies available to assist the policein dealing with a person or their family involved in a mental health crisis.ACTIVE SHOOTER TRAININGAs the nation observed the 12th anniversary of the ColumbineHigh School massacre in 2011, the Montclair Police Departmentutilized the Montclair High School, which is largely empty for springbreak, as a training ground to prepare for a similar, nightmarishmass-shooting scenario. The one-day drill, coordinated by leadersand members of the Department’s tactical Critical Response Team,cross-trained patrol officers and detectives how to immediately andspontaneously convene tactical teams, enter into a crowded building,and deal with an armed suspect who has either opened fire, or is threatening to shoot.Officers were instructed how to rapidly and effectively convene ad-hoc teams of four,five or six officers upon arrival at a shooting scene, and navigate through a crowdedbuilding, which may have erupted into panic and pandemonium, during such a crisis.Enhancing the realism of the training, officers were armed with replica duty handgunsloaded with simmunitions” that replaced live service ammunition with projectiles thatsplatter a small amount of red or blue paint on contact.16

COMMUNICATIONS CENTER/DISPATCH PERSONNELOur state of the art Communications Center is staffed twentyfour hours a day, every day, by highly trained telecommunicationprofessionals who handle 9-1-1 calls for police, fire, and EMSemergency service. These professionals quickly dispatch theproper resources to all emergency situations. Trained in CPR andEmergency Medical Dispatch, they can assist callers in providingaid until EMS arrives on scene. Often the first point of contact inan emergency situation, the Police Dispatcher is a critical part of the public safety system.On a daily basis they are tasked with receiving information from individuals in need ofemergency assistance and relaying that information to the emergency responders in thefield. The providing of accurate, timely, and detailed information to those emergencyresponders enables them to perform their duties safely and effectively. Dispatchersreceive annual training in order to meet the challenges of an ever changing world.MUNICIPAL PROSECUTORKENNETH C. STRAIT, JR. ESQ.The municipal prosecutor represents the State, the County or the Municipality in theprosecution of all offenses within the jurisdiction of the municipal court of Montclair. Theseoffenses can range from, Motor Vehicle violations, Driving WhileIntoxicated, Domestic Violence matters, Disorderly Personsoffenses, and other violations of Ordinances of the Township. Thesecases can also be crimes that are downgraded from the SuperiorCourt or those transferred by another court of jurisdiction. As anintegral part of our Criminal Justice system, the MunicipalProsecutor is responsible for handling all phases of theprosecution of an offense, including but not limited to evaluatingcharges, reviewing witness statements, assessing admissibility ofevidence, discovery, pretrial and post-trial hearings, motions, dismissals and othercollateral functions authorized by law or Rule of the Court.Among the busiest municipal courts in Essex County, the Montclair Municipal courtprocesses tens of thousands of traffic and criminal complaints combined. Many of thesecomplaints are handled by the Municipal Prosecutor. Serving as the MunicipalProsecutor of Montclair since, October 1, 2007, Kenneth C. Strait, Jr. Esq. graduated fromthe University of Iowa with a bachelor's degree in 1981, where he was president of theMinority Business Students' Association. He attained his Juris Doctor degree in 1984 fromthe Rutgers University School of Law.While our police officers work tirelessly to apprehend those who disrupt our community,it is the municipal prosecutor whose job it is to follow through on those arrests, and makecertain that our community's best interests are represented in Court. The MunicipalProsecutor has taken a serious and tough stance on crime in our community and worksclosely with law enforcement to help improve the quality of life of our residents.17

MONTCLAIR POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUELYNNE L. WILLIAMS, PRESIDENTDEPUTY CHIEF TODD M. CONFORTI, ADVISORThe Montclair P.A.L. promotes trust, understanding and respectbetween youth and police officers. Such respect is beneficial to the youth,the police officers, the neighborhoods, the business community, andcommunity leaders. The goals of the P.A.L. are to foster andencourage a spirit of loyalty and faith in American traditions andinstitutions; to participate actively in constructive movements and endeavorsfor the promotion of the interest and general welfare of the youth of the community; topromote the spirit of benevolence, friendship, sociability,goodwill, and tolerance among the youth of our community;to cultivate and improve the moral and civic standardsof the youth of the community; to provide a safemeeting place where the youth of the community may enjoyeducational or social benefits and athletic activities undercompetent supervision.The Montclair Police Athletic League, which was established in 1996, continues itsmission through its basketball program, summer campscholarships, the Youth Leadership Council (Y.L.C.), andannual fishing derby. The basketball program consists of fourteams, skills development sessions, and summer campscholarships. The Y.L.C. has served as volunteers in thecommunity serving food to the homeless and collecting food tobe distributed to the needy.IN THE COMMUNITYSanta Gift DeliveryThe Montclair Police Benevolent Association, PBA Local 53, incooperation with The North Pole, volunteered to organize theMontclair Police Department’s Santa Gift Delivery. Officerscollected gifts that were later personally delivered by Santa tochildren throughout Montclair. The caravan of brightlydecorated police vehicles made their waythrough town spreading holiday cheer asthey visited numerous residents. Escorted by the MontclairPolice, Santa delivered all of the gifts. Santa and the officersspent a few moments at each household ensuring that thechildren could relay their Christmas lists to Santa personally. Theofficers involved received a double reward for their efforts, asparents who requested Santa to visit their residence wererequired to donate gifts which were later donated to theMontclair Salvation Army. 18

SPECIAL OLYMPICS TORCH RUNThe mission of The Law Enforcement Torch Run ® is to raiseawareness of the Special Olympics movement worldwide and tosecure funding for this vital cause. In 1984, the first New JerseyTorch Run was conceived to raise funds and awareness for theSpecial Olympics.Today, the Torch Run travels 950 miles, originating in 27 separate points statewide, andtravels through 384 communities with some 2,700 officers from all branches of lawenforcement participating. The final leg runs into Lion’s Stadium at the College of NewJersey and lights the cauldron for the Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics NewJersey Summer Games.The New Jersey branch of this volunteer organization,headed by a team of 50 Torch Run committee members,raises funds through programs that vary from two PolarPlunges, a Motorcycle Run, the Lincoln Tunnel ChallengeRun/Walk, the Adopt-A-Cop Torch Run Program, the PlanePull, numerous Golf Tournaments, and an ever expandingvenue of fundraising initiatives.The Montclair Police Department’s involvement with theSpecial Olympics began in 1996, while a part of Torch Run leg #5 that ran from WestCaldwell to Newark. Shortly thereafter, a new Torch Run leg was created under thecoordination of Deputy Chief Perry Mayers. This new leg, Leg # 18, runs from Verona toBloomfield, running through Montclair, West Orange, Orange, and Glen Ridge. It includesofficers from each of those jurisdictions, as well as agents from the F.B.I. and the FederalAir Marshals Service.ESSEX COUNTY SUMMER GAMESEach year uniformed Officers from Montclair are fortunate enough tobe able to participate, along with other Essex County Law Enforcementagencies, in the Special Olympics Area 9 (Essex County) OpeningCeremonies and Games in Brookdale Park. One of the police officershas the privilege of running the Torch into the Stadium with an athlete. All athletes,teachers, coaches, and police officers then participate in the parade of athletes, with themotorcycles, bicycles, and officers leading the procession and cheering the athletes asthey pass the torch with Officers lined up on both sides of the track.The officers then have the opportunity to watch theathletes as they compete in their events. The greatestmoments of this event are always when the officers have thehonor of being able to present award medals andribbons to each athlete that participates. The smiles and joythis brings to the athletes’ faces is all the confirmation thatthe officers need to know that they are part ofsomething very special. The Montclair Police have beenproud participants in this event for over 15 years.19

NOTABLE PATROL INCIDENTSARMED ROBBERY/HANDGUN POSSESSIONIn mid-January 2011, several armed robberies occurred near the West Orange andMontclair border. During this time, Evening Tour Patrol Officers responded to this area ona report of an armed robbery involving a small red vehicle. A vehicle matching thedescription, occupied by five people, was observed in the area. While standing next tothe driver’s side of the vehicle, a black handgun was observed inside of the car. Alloccupants of the vehicle were safely removed, secured, and placed under arrest.LIFE SAVING CPRIn March of 2011, Midnight Tour Dispatchers received a 9-1-1 call for a possibleheart attack. Officers responded to the call. While enroute, the patient’s heart stoppedbeating. Dispatchers began giving pre-arrival CPR instructions over the phone to thepatient’s wife. Upon arrival, responding Officers were met by the patient’s wife and tookover the administration of CPR. Officers attached an Automated External Defibrillator(AED) to the patient and administered two shocks before the arrival of the ambulance.Officers and medical staff continued administering the patient multiple rounds of CPR.Upon arrival of the patient to the hospital, the patient’s vital signs were restored.ARMED CARJACKING AT GUNPOINTIn December of 2011, in the evening hours, Montclair Officers responded to the areaof Sherman Street and Pine Street on a report of an armed carjacking with a handgun. AnOfficer located the suspect vehicle fleeing the area and followed it until it turned onto theproperty of an apartment building. As officers approached, three suspects fled on foot indifferent directions. One of the suspects was armed with the handgun. Officers chasedthe suspected driver on foot and he was apprehended in a nearby alley. Remainingofficers established a perimeter and were able to flush out a second suspect who wasalso apprehended after a foot chase. Further investigation led to the identity of the thirdsuspect as well as the recovery of a loaded handgun used in the carjacking. The actionsdisplayed by all officers on scene are a noteworthy example of exceptional police work.Their dedication to duty, teamwork, level of commitment, and professionalism is a creditto the Montclair Police Department.NOTABLE DETECTIVE BUREAU INVESTIGATIONSHOMICIDEOn July 4, 2011, police responded to a multi-family residence on a report of asuspicious death. Members of the Montclair Police Detective Bureau and the EssexCounty Prosecutor’s Office responded to the scene. During the initial stages of theinvestigation, it became evident that the woman had been killed during a domestic violencedispute. As a result of the investigation, the suspect was arrested later that same day.20

NOTABLE DETECTIVE BUREAU INVESTIGATIONSARMED ROBBERY SPREEDuring late January through early February, 2011, members of the Montclair PoliceDepartment received reports of armed robberies at multiple businesses. On February9th, officers and detectives responded to a restaurant on Glenridge Avenue on a report ofan armed robbery. While on scene, a detective observed a male fitting the provideddescription on Bay Street. The suspect struggled with police and was placed underarrest. This suspect was positively identified as the actor involved in the robbery onGlenridge Avenue. Detectives continued their investigations and learned that thesuspect was also involved in four other robberies in Montclair. Detectives were also ableto identify a female accomplice who assisted the suspect. This female was arrested inearly August and charged with four counts of conspiracy to commit armed robbery.MISSING PERSONOn May 2, 2011, police received a report of a missing nineteen year old female. Themissing person’s mother reported that her daughter had been missing for approximatelya month and had a medical history involving mental illness. The victim’s mother hadreceived calls from unknown people in New York claiming to have contact with themissing female.As detectives learned during the investigation, it appeared that the missing femalewas being held against her will and that conversations between the individuals in NewYork and the victim’s mother were a ploy to exchange the female for money. Theinvestigation led detectives to Brooklyn, New York, where detectives found that themissing female, along with several minors, were locked in an apartment with no means ofescape. The missing female was recovered, but in poor health. As a result of work initiatedby detectives assigned to this investigation, members of the New York Police Departmentarrested a female suspect and began conducting an investigation regarding the criminalrestraint and sexual exploitation of the victim and several others who were being held inthe apartment.NOTABLE NARCOTIC ARRESTS AND SEIZURESCOCAINE DISTRIBUTIONIn April of 2011, a Narcotics Bureau investigation began involving a cocainedistribution network. The case resulted in search warrants being executed at a residencein Belleville. The target was arrested on April 21st, 2011 after Montclair Detectives seized28.2 ounces of cocaine along with quantities of marijuana, Xanax pills, hallucinogenicmushrooms, steroids and growth hormone. Additionally, Detectives seized $14,814.00, incash, as proceeds of the illegal drug distribution enterprise.21

NOTABLE DETECTIVE BUREAU INVESTIGATIONSOXYCODONE TRAFFICKINGIn April of 2011, the Narcotics Bureau received information regarding a suspect whowas trafficking Oxycodone pills from Cedar Grove into Montclair. An investigationfollowed; resulting in search warrants being executed by Montclair Detectives in CedarGrove. On April 29, 2011, the target was arrested after Detectives seized 265 Oxycodonepills, quantities of Suboxone and Ecstasy, as well as $21,031.00, in cash.PRESCRIPTION DRUGSIn April of 2011, a Narcotics Bureau investigation commenced; resulting in searchwarrants being executed by Montclair Detectives in the city of Newark. The target wasarrested on May 10, 2011 after Detectives seized 2077 various prescription pills, as wellas $14,246.00, in cash.HEROIN TRAFFICKINGOn September 2, 2011 Montclair Police Detectives stopped a vehicle occupied byfour suspects. A subsequent search of the car revealed 11 bricks of heroin. The vehiclewas impounded and a search warrant followed. Upon executing the warrant, NarcoticsDetectives located an additional 5 bricks of heroin. All four suspects were chargedaccordingly.PRESCRIPTION DRUG DISTRIBUTIONIn September of 2011, the Narcotics Bureau conducted an investigation whereby anundercover buy was conducted. The target was arrested on September 15, 2011 after hesold 120 prescription pills to an undercover Narcotics Detective. A subsequent search ofhis apartment revealed an additional 190 prescription pills for a total of 310 pills seized.NOTABLE CRIME SCENE UNIT INVESTIGATIONSBURGLARY SOLVED WITH DNAThe Crime Scene Unit responded to the scene of a burglary where approximately$19,000 in jewelry was stolen on November 26th 2010. During the unit’s efforts inprocessing the crime scene, a blood stain and partial latent fingerprints were located. Theblood sample was collected and a fingerprint was “lifted”. The submission of the blood forDNA analysis resulted in the development of a suspect in 2011. Prior to the crime sceneinvestigation, there were no possible suspects in this case.ARMED ROBBERY SUSPECT DEVELOPEDDuring the winter of 2011, a series of armed robberies were committed in the Towship. Due to the efforts of the Crime Scene Unit, in cooperation with the DetectiveBureau, DNA was located at the scene of several robberies. Based on the DNA resultsand other circumstances, the subject was apprehended.22

NOTABLE CRIME SCENE UNIT INVESTIGATIONSCENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT BURGLARIESDuring the fall of 2011, a string of burglaries occurred in the central business district.The Crime Scene Unit was dispatched to the area to process the various crime scenes.During the processing of the scene, the unit was able to develop a latent fingerprint. Whilea subject was developed in this case prior to the obtaining the latent fingerprint, thefingerprint was useful in the conviction of the subject.CONVENIENCE STORE BURGLARYIn the spring of 2011, a local convenience store was burglarized. During thecommission of the crime, one of the suspects left behind a pair of gloves. Through theefforts of Detectives from the Crime Scene Unit, DNA was collected and submitted to theState Police Lab for analysis. A suspect was developed based on the DNA hit.Subsequently, the subject was arrested for the crime.CAR THIEF APPREHENDED2011 was a year that saw a significant increase in motor vehicle thefts. One vehicle,in particular, was recovered by the Essex County Sheriff’s Department, and towed to theirimpound yard where a Detective of the Crime Scene Unit responded and processed thevehicle for evidence. That processing resulted in fingerprints being developed and asuspect identified.JAB NOTABLE INVESTIGATIONSMISSING PERSONS INVESTIGATIONIn February of 2011, after parents arrived at Montclair Police Headquarters andreported that their 17 year old daughter had been abducted, the Juvenile Aid Bureauinitiated an investigation. Text messages received by the mother indicated that theirdaughter was traveling by car, blindfolded, and unable to determine her location.The Juvenile Aid Bureau, in conjunction with the Detective Bureau, worked in concertwith the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office’s Special Victims Unit and the New Jersey StatePolice Child Abduction Team. The assistance of Verizon Wireless was also enlisted totrack the phone in order to ascertain the juvenile’s whereabouts.Ultimately, with the assistance of cellular phone tracking, the juvenile waslocated within Montclair, unhurt, and in good health. During a subsequent interview withJuvenile Aid Bureau Detectives, the juvenile admitted to “cutting school” and conjuring upthe elaborate hoax in order to spend the day with her boyfriend. The juvenile wassubsequently charged with False Public Alarms, in violation of N.J.S. 2C:33-3a.GANG RECRUITMENT ATTEMPTIn April of 2011, a 20 year old resident was approached by a group of four suspectsand requested to join their gang “Empire”. When the victim refused, he was assaulted bythe group. As a result of the ensuing Juvenile Aid Bureau investigation, all of the assailants,three juveniles and one adult, were arrested and charged with Solicitation/Recruitment toJoin a Criminal Street Gang. The three juveniles were remanded to the Essex CountyYouth Detention Center. The adult was held on bail.23

P ERRYERRY T. M AYERSDEPUTY CHIEFD AVIDAVID P. S ABAGHCHIEF OF POLICET ODDODD M. C ONFORTIDEPUTY CHIEFCAPT. . SCOTTSCOTT A. ROBERSONROBERSON CAPT. . WILLIAMWILLIAM A. FRAZZANOFRAZZANOCAPT. . TIMOTHYTIMOTHY M. CUMMINGSCUMMINGS CAPT. . JOHNJOHN BEYEREYERCAPT. . JAMESJAMES CARLUCCIARLUCCILT. . J AMESLT. . R ICHARDLT. . J AMESLT. . E MILAMES MARTINICHARD PINCKAMES LALORMIL DULSGT. . K ENNETH GOSSSGT. . A NGEL ROMAN JR.SGT. . W ILLIAM KAGANSGT. . D AVID O’D OWDSGT. . R ICHARD POST JR.LT. . S TEPHENLT. . K ENNETHLT. . S COTTTEPHEN GRAYBUSHENNETH MISCIA JR.COTT BUEHLERSGT. . S TEPHEN WYATTSGT. . W ILHELM YOUNGSGT. . S TEPHANIE EGNEZZOSGT. . T YRONE WILLIAMS JR.SGT. . D ANIEL ENGLT. . R OBERTLT. . R ICHARDLT. . T RACYOBERT ROWANICHARD CAVANAUGHRACY FRAZZANOSGT. . J OHN CARLO JR.SGT. . T HOMAS FLYNNSGT. . R OBERT ROMITOSGT. . R ONALD REDMONDDET. . R ICKY SINGLETONDET. . W ILLIAM COADDET. . R AYMOND GULBINDET. . LYNNLYNN MCCARTHYDET. . J AMES MILANODET. . M IGUEL VELEZDET. . C HRISTOPHER BARNESDET. . A DAM TOOPSDET. . T ERENCE TURNERDET. . B RIAN FAZIOAZIODET. . G LENDA RIVERADET. . T HOMAS LILOIADET. . J OSEPH ANDERSONDET. . C HARLES CUNNINGHAMDET. . S HAWN DEPOEOFC. . K EITH STOUTE JR. OFC. . M ARY DONENGHIOFC. . A LAN CUMMINGOFC. . C HARLES SHAWOFC. . R OBERT SINGLETONOFC. . P ETER MISCIAOFC. . J OHN TIMCHAKOFC. . J OHN SANTOSOFC. . J OSEPH SAVITTIERIOFC. . J ACQUELINE ALLENOFC. . K IM NELSONOFC. . M ICHAEL MONGIOVIOFC. . L ISA GUTAUSKASOFC. . C HRISTOPHER LOCKLEAR OFC. . J AMES LYNCHYNCHOFC. . J OHN BOSSOLTOFC. . G ARTH GUTHRIEOFC. . P IERRE FALAISEALAISE JR.OFC. . T IMOTHY LEEOFC. . M ARIA ARROYOOFC. . T HOMAS WESTERLUNDOFC. . PAULPAUL THOMASOFC. . M ICHAEL LOCOCOOFC. . M ALIK RIVERSOFC. . J AMES SNODGRASSOFC. . J EAN ARTHUR WYPLEROFC. . M ICHAEL WHITTLEOFC. . E LISA MACL EANOFC. . A NTHONY CHAPMANOFC. . R OBERT ANDERSON IIOFC. . M ICHAEL DEGRAZIOOFC. . B ENJAMIN CAMPOSOFC. . J OSELITO NEBIAROFC. . E RICA PETERSONOFC. . CHRISTOPHERCHRISTOPHER MCWILLIAMSILLIAMS OFC. . R OBERT HANSFORDOFC. . M ICHAEL LUZZIOFC. . R AMIL CARANDANGOFC. . J AMAR JONESOFC. . C HRISTOPHER JEZEWSKI OFC. . V INCENT RUSSO JR. OFC. . T HOMAS PATTIATTIOFC. . J USTIN SCHAUBOFC. . E DWARD CSUKAOFC. . A NTONIO COSTANTINOOFC. . PAULPAUL RUSINIAKOFC. . A NTHONY SWANOFC. . D EAN BERARDIOFC. . D AVID RULLOOFC. . S TEVEN IBEREROFC. . M ICHAEL MICKENSOFC. . A NES HADZIFEJZOVICOFC. . K EVIN F. W EBBOFC. . S TEPHEN SOBERSOFC. . F REDRICK R. C OOKOFC. . J ORGE MARTINEZOFC. . C URT BRISCOEOFC. . T YLER MANLEY 24