The Fair Lawn Police Department swore in Robert Mader as Fair Lawn’s newest police officer. Mr. Mader will be filling a vacancy left by a recent retirement. 

Officer Mader, a Fair Lawn resident, was born in Ridgewood and graduated from Eastern Christian High School.  He has served 4 years in the United States Air Force and is a veteran of the Iraq War. 

Prior to joining the Fair Lawn Police Department, Officer Mader was employed by Cummins Power System as a diesel engine technician.

After a short agency orientation period, Officer Mader will begin training at the Bergen County Law and Public Safety Institute in Mahwah. He is expected to graduate from the academy in January 2010.  After graduating from the Basic Police Training Course, he will undergo additional training with a Fair Lawn Police Department field-training officer for three to four months before being assigned to a patrol shift. 

Officer Mader's son is pictured pinning his badge on him during the swearing in ceremony. 

Sgt. Ronald Patterson was promoted to Lieutenant.  Lt. Ronald Patterson is a 14 year veteran of the Fair Lawn Police Department.  In his 14 years Lt Patterson has helped facilitate the DARE program at both Thomas Jefferson and memorial Middle School.  As a Sergeant, Lt. Patterson worked as a road supervisor as well as Headquarters tour commander for day to day operations inside the police department.  Lt. Patterson has also been active in the N.J. Special Olympics Tourch Run which generates funding for special need residents here in New Jersey.  Lt. Ronald Patterson is a graduate of University of Scranton Pa. where he received his B.A. in history and B.S. degree in Criminal Justice. 

P.O. James Corcoran was promoted to Sergeant.  Sgt. James Corcoran is a 9 year veteran of the Fair Lawn Police Department.  During his nine years Sgt. Corcoran has worked as a narcotics officer assigned to the Fair Lawn Police Detective Bureau.  During his experience with the detective bureau Sgt. Corcoran worked on assignment with both the Bergen and Passaic County Narcotics Task Force Units. Sgt Corcoran also worked joint investigations with federal agencies including the FBI, DEA, ATF, U.S. Postal Service as well as the Office of Homeland Security and Customs Agency.  Prior to becoming a police officer Sgt James Corcoran served 2 years with the 82^nd Airborne Division.   

Sgt. Carmine Moscatello, D/Sgt Michael Uttel, Det. Jeffrey Welsh, P.O. Anthony Lugo, Det. Stephen Cannici, and Det. Anthony Ferreira each received an Exceptional Duty Award; P.O. Paul Donohue received an Honorable Service Award.  Certificates of commendation were awarded to: D/Capt. Anthony Serrao, D/Sgt. Michael Uttel, Sgt. Richard Schultz, D/Sgt. John Annazone, Det. David Boone (2), Det. James Corcoran (3), P.O. Thomas Check (2), P.O. Eric Eleshewich, P.O. Louis Evangelista (2), P.O. Justin Garcia (2), P.O. Gerard Graziano, P.O. William Hickey, P.O. James Krizek, P.O. Eric Leitman, P.O. Sean Macys, P.O. Robert Manning (2), P.O. Lonnie Mergler (2), P.O. Michael O’Brien, P.O. Timothy O’Shaughnessy (2), P.O. Christopher Siano (2), P.O. Brian Simpson, P.O. Christopher Sullivan, P.O. Hiram Taylor, P.O. Luis Vasquez (2), Det. Jeffrey Welsh (2), P.O. Kevin Wood (2), Det. Peter Yuskaitis (3), Disp. Joseph Cecere, Disp. Betty Dirienzo, Disp. Andrew Flax (2), Records Clerk Nicholas Magarelli, Aux. Police Officer Thomas Spear.

On January 22, 2009, the Fair Lawn Police Department swore in Alan Annazone as Fair Lawn’s newest police officer. Mr. Annazone will be filling a vacancy left by an officer who recently retired. 

Mr. Annazone is a long time resident of Fair Lawn.  He graduated from Fair Lawn High School and has attended Bergen Community College, Sacred Heart University (CT), and Montclair State University.  Prior to becoming a police officer, Mr. Annazone spent several years working in the food service industry.

After a short agency orientation period, Officer A. Annazone will begin training at the Bergen County Law and Public Safety Institute in Mahwah. He is expected to graduate from the academy in June 2009. After graduating from the Basic Police Training Course, he will undergo additional training with a Fair Lawn Police Department field-training officer for three to four months before being assigned to a patrol shift. 

    On 10/14/08, at 11;18 a.m., the Fair Lawn Police arrested Bryan J. Thomas, a 19-year-old male from Mahwah, and charged him with illegal possession of a handgun and fraudulent insurance card documents.  P.O. Luis Vasquez detained Thomas at a DMV road check on Broadway near Midland Avenue for not wearing his seatbelt and a vehicle lamp violation.  During the stop, Officers Vasquez, Chris Siano and Sergeant Derek Bastinck determined that Thomas had handed over a fake insurance identification card.  While affecting the arrest for the card, Officer Vasquez spotted a handgun partially wrapped in a red bandanna inside the vehicle.  Thomas was brought to headquarters and later charged with numerous motor vehicle violations, illegal possession of a handgun, and possession of a fraudulent insurance ID card.

Justin Garcia, a 22 year old lifelong resident of Fair Lawn, was sworn in as Fair Lawn's newest police officer on January 29, 2008.  Officer Garcia is a graduate of Fair Lawn High School and hold a Bachelors degree in History and Sociology from William Paterson University.  Prior to being hired by the FLPD, Garcia worked at the Vitamin Shoppe in Paramus, P.S.E.& G., and the Garden State Parkway highway commission.

After a short agency orientation period, Officer Garcia will begin training at the Bergen County Law and Public Safety Institute in Mahwah. He is expected to graduate from the academy in June 2007. After graduating from the Basic Police Training Course, he will undergo additional training with a Fair Lawn Police Department field-training officer for three to four months before being assigned to a patrol shift.  Pictured with Officer Garcia are his parents and the members of the Borough Council.

Read the article

Robert Manning takes his oath

Stephen Buskiewicz takes his oath

Chief Erik Rose, Borough Manager Metzler, Mayor Steven Weinstein, and the members of the Fair Lawn Council with the newest F.L.P.D. officers.

June 19, 2006.....FLPD/NJMVC Checkpoint Yields 154 Summonses

On January 31, 2006, three new officers were sworn in.  Eric Eleshewich, Kenneth Cavanagh, and Anthony Lugo became the newest members of the F.L.P.D.  

Pictured (click for larger image) from left:  Police Chief Erik Rose,  new Police Officer Anthony Lugo, new Police Officer Erik Eleshewich, new Police Officer Kenneth Cavanagh, Mayor Marty Etler, Deputy Mayor Steven Weinstein, Council Member Ed Trawinski, Deputy Mayor Owen McCarthy, and Council Member Jeanne Baratta.

On December 15, 2005, Glen Callons of the Fair Lawn Police Department received the Bergen County Crime Prevention Officer of 2005 award at their annual awards ceremony.  P.O. Glen Callons is a 20 year veteran of the Fair Lawn Police Department and is very active in the department's community policing initiative.  During his career, Officer Callons has been a D.A.R.E. Instructor, Facilitator of the Citizens Police Academy, Block Watch Coordinator, Co-facilitator of the Jr. Police Academy, National Night Out Director, as well as many other community based programs.   Pictured at the award presentation from left to right are Lt. Pat Fay, Hackensack P.D. (President of Crime Prevention Officers Association), Officer Glen Callons, and Ret. Sgt. Carmey Cross (Trustee).

 Fair Lawn PD was presented the 2005 AAA "Award of Excellence" for their Traffic Safety Programs.  Pictured (from the left) Fair Lawn Police Chief Erik Rose, Fair Lawn's Traffic Safety Officer Tim Franco, and a AAA representative.

     Sean O. Nagle is a resident of Fair Lawn.  He graduated from Bergen Community College in Paramus with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Criminal Justice and is currently working towards his Baccalaureate degree in Sociology from William Paterson University.

     Michael C. Franco is a resident of Fair Lawn and the son of current veteran police officer Timothy Franco who serves as the department's traffic officer. He is currently studying Law and Society with a Crime and Social Justice track at Ramapo College of New Jersey.

     Sean A. Macys is a resident of Fair Lawn and the son of retired Fair Lawn Police Sergeant George Macys. He obtained a B.S. degree in Criminal Justice from Marist College and worked on internships with the Dutchess County Drug Task Force and City of Poughkeepsie, N.Y.  P.D. Juvenile Division.

     Timothy R. O'Shaughnessy is a resident of Fair Lawn. He graduated from Ramapo College of New Jersey with a B.A. in Criminal Justice. He was most recently employed by the New York City Police Department as a police officer.

     The four new officers will begin training at the Bergen County Law and Public Safety Institute in Mahwah shortly after a short agency orientation period with an expected graduation of December 2005. After graduating from the Basic Police Training Course, they will undergo additional training with a field-training officer for three to four months.

July 14, 2005.....Attempted Kidnapping Reported

     At approximately 6:30 p.m., a resident reported an attempted kidnapping of a 3 year old child on Lindsay Road. A twelve year old child, a nine year old child and the three year old were playing in front of their home when a man approached and attempted to lure the child to come with him to a candy store. The twelve year old along with the nine year old grabbed the three year old along with a nanny who was in charge of the children and retreated back into their home.

     The suspect was described as a black male approximately, 50 years old, 5’6 tall with short black hair, wearing large black glasses, a white button down shirt, black dress pants and black shoes. The man reportedly spoke with a foreign accent. 

May 23, 2005.....F.L.P.D.'s O'Brien Receives Award 

Fair Lawn Police Chief Erik W. Rose announced that Police Officer Michael O'Brien was honored on May 23^rd by the Northern New Jersey Council of the Boy Scouts of America for his involvement with the Exploring program for over 22 years. Officer O'Brien was presented with the William H. Spurgeon III Award, which is the highest recognition for individuals contributing significant leadership to the Exploring program at the Northern New Jersey Council's 7^th Annual Council Recognition Dinner at the Westmount Country Club in West Paterson.  Capt. Joseph Cook was present to represent Chief Rose.

      Officer O'Brien began his association with exploring in 1983 as a member of the Bergen County Fire Rescue Explorer Post #402 chartered by the New Milford Fire Department. Later that year, he developed an interest in law enforcement and joined the Demarest Law Enforcement Explorer Post #101 chartered by the Demarest Police Department.  O'Brien spent several years moving up through the ranks in the Demarest program and took on several leadership roles. He was recognized for his work by the Mayor, Council and Police Chief.

      In 1987, Mike attended Saint Thomas Aquinas and Passaic County Community Colleges and majored in Criminal Justice and Psychology. While in school, Mike gained employment as a full time police dispatcher and as a special police officer with the Demarest Police Department. Mike continued to work with the Demarest Explorers as an adult advisor and was instrumental in establishing the Demarest Police Explorer Post Honor Guard.

      Officer O'Brien went on to become a Police Officer with the Kean University Police Department. While serving in that capacity, he was assigned as a Field Training Officer mentoring new police recruits. He served as Coordinator for the Kean University EMS, instructed CPR, RADAR, self defense and was periodically loaned out to the Essex / Union County Prosecutor's Office, Auto Theft Task Force. He also successfully completed a course that certified him to instruct recruits at the police academy.

      While at Kean, Officer O'Brien received many decorations. He was awarded two Lifesaving Medals as well as Meritorious and Honorable Service Medals.  O'Brien was inducted into the New Jersey Police Honor Legion in 2000 and was awarded a New Jersey Assembly Commendation.

      Officer O'Brien moved on to the Fair Lawn, N.J. Police Department in 2002 where he is presently employed. Officer O'Brien continues to serve as a CPR Instructor, Blood-borne Pathogens Instructor, RADAR Instructor and Field Training Officer with the Fair Lawn Police Department in addition to his duties as a patrol officer.

      Officer O'Brien was instrumental in helping the Fair Lawn Police Department establish Law Enforcement Explorer Post #902 in November of 2004 and serves as the Associate Post Advisor. Membership in the post is open to any young man or woman from Fair Lawn between the ages of 14 and 21 who has graduated the 8^th grade, has an interest in learning more about a career in law enforcement and is able to attend regular bi-monthly meetings and work details.

      Officer O'Brien is a member of the New Jersey Law Enforcement Advisor's Association and has continued to play an essential role as a phase co-coordinator and instructor at the State Law Enforcement Explorer Academy since 1994.

     The William H. Spurgeon III Award was established in honor of the man who is regarded as the major leader in the development of special interest Exploring programs that provide career education to young people in various fields throughout the country.

February 10, 2005.....F.L.P.D. Arrests 5 Burglars in 5 Weeks

5 Fair Lawn Police Chief Erik Rose announced the arrest of Kenneth Lieb. Lieb is 32 years old and resides at 13-22 Fairclough Place in Fair Lawn.

At 2:49 a.m., Lieb broke into the Garden Pharmacy, located at 13-38 River Road, by using a hammer to break a rear bathroom window, then to have accessed the pharmacy by entering through the window. Once inside he placed several different medicines into a bag including Oxycontin and Vicodin.

In the meantime, the Fair Lawn Police Department received a burglar alarm from the pharmacy and dispatched Officer Edward Egan and Officer Kevin Wood to investigate the alarm. Egan arrived at the scene and went to the front of the pharmacy. Wood went to the rear of the pharmacy. Wood noticed that the rear bathroom window had been broken and Egan noticed that there was a person inside the store. Additional backup units were requested and dispatched.

While the officers were waiting for the additional backup units to arrive, Lieb ran out the back door of the pharmacy. Wood ordered him to stop and a struggle ensued in which Lieb hit Wood in the face with his elbow. Lieb broke free and fled on foot with Wood in pursuit also on foot.

P.O. Luis Vasquez and Sgt. Brian Metzler riding together in a two-officer patrol car pulled the car in front of the fleeing Lieb at Hopper Avenue and George Street. Vasquez attempted to subdue Lieb. During the ensuing struggle, Lieb punched Officer Vasquez several times. Sgt. Metzler joined the struggle and assisted in subduing and handcuffing Lieb. During a search of Lieb's person, officers uncovered a utility knife that had been in his pocket.

Lieb was charged with one count of robbery for using force against another while in the course of committing a theft or in the course of fleeing from a theft, two counts of aggravated assault against a police officer, one count for the assault upon Officer Wood and another count for his assault against Officer Vasquez, one count of resisting arrest, one count of possession of a weapon, a utility knife, under circumstances not manifestly appropriate for it's lawful use and one count of possession of burglar's tools namely a hammer and a bent screwdriver used to gain access to the pharmacy.

Officer Edward Egan had cut his hand on broken glass at the pharmacy. Officer Luis Vasquez suffered swelling to his index finger as a result of using the hand to block a punch thrown by Leib as well as a strained knee. Both of the officers were treated for their injuries by a police department doctor.

Lieb was remanded to the Bergen County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail with no 10% option set by Fair Lawn Municipal Court Judge Bonnie Mizdol pending his appearance in Fair Lawn Municipal Court.

4 February 1, Fair Lawn Police Chief Erik Rose announced the arrest of Rasheed Braxton, age 21, of 145 Belmont Ave. in Paterson. Braxton was charged with one count of burglary, one count of theft, and one count of resisting arrest.

At 9:51 a.m., Dispatcher Andrew Flax received a phone call from a resident who is a member of the Memorial South Neighborhood Network Block Watch. The resident told Flax that a man that was not from the neighborhood was seen acting in a suspicious manner. Shortly thereafter, the resident called back to report that the suspect, later identified as Braxton was observed forcing open a side door to a neighboring house and that shortly thereafter he was observed exiting the house with a shopping bag. 

After leaving the house, the suspect was spotted by P.O. James Krizek at Bellair Ave. and Canger Place. The suspect then fled and have hid under a parked car. Krizek located him under the parked car and ordered him out at gunpoint. Braxton then fled on foot through backyards and discarded the shopping bag in a yard on Dewey Place. Braxton was located a few minutes later hiding under the deck of a home on Dewey Place by Det. Stephen Cannici and P.O. Brian La Rosa.

The proceeds of the burglary were money and jewelry which was recovered from the shopping bag that P.O. Krizek saw Braxton discard.

Other officers who responded to the call included, P.O. Louis Evangelista, P.O. Edward Egan, P.O. Paul Donohue, P.O. Stanislav Tovbin, Capt. Anthony Serrao, P.O. Louis Failla and Det. John Ietto.

Bail was set at $50,000 and Braxton was transported to the Bergen County Jail in default of bail.

3 January 19, Fair Lawn Police Chief Erik Rose announced the arrest of William R. Green, age 33 of 467 East 24^th St. in Paterson, N.J.  Green is charged with one count each of Burglary, Criminal Mischief, Resisting Arrest, Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer, and Possession of Stolen Property.

P.O. Lonnie Mergler, P.O. Thomas Check, P.O. Stanislav Tovbin, Det/Sgt. Michael Messina, Capt. Anthony Serrao, and Lt. William Yirce responded to a report of a suspicious man seen leaving a residence on Morlot Avenue near Essex Place by an alert resident.

When Det/Sgt. Messina located Green (who matched the description given) near the Morlot Avenue Bridge into Paterson, Green is dropped the suitcase and ran into the City of Paterson crossing Route. 20.  Officer Lonnie Mergler spotted Green running and pursed him by foot eventually capturing him in the yard of a private residence on 10^th Ave. in Paterson. During the capture, Green kicked P.O. Mergler in the midsection of his body.  Mergler was not injured due to the fact that he was wearing a bullet proof vest.

Further investigation revealed that the residence Green had been observed coming from had been forcibly entered via a side window. Stereo equipment and jewelry were missing from the home and recovered from within the suitcase that Green dropped when confronted by Det/Sgt. Messina.

This arrest is one of several burglary arrests that have occurred in Fair Lawn recently.

2 On January 8, 2005 at 12:56 a.m., Officer Paul Scott arrested Mark Wagenhaffer, age 38 of Parsippany, N.J. for a burglary on Fair Lawn Parkway. Wagenhaffer was seen acting in a suspicious manner by Officer Scott in the parking lot of a local convenience store on Broadway. Further investigation revealed that a nearby house on Fair Lawn Parkway had been broken and evidence was uncovered that Wagenhaffer was involved with the crime. Wagenhaffer was charged with burglary, theft, criminal mischief, and possession of burglary tools. He was remanded to the Bergen County Jail in lieu of $75,000 bail with no 10% option.

1 On January 5^th, Fair Lawn Police Chief Erik Rose announced the arrest of  Leon Crenshaw, age 41 of 174 12^th Ave. in Paterson, N.J. for one count of burglary, one count of attempted burglary and one count of theft. At  10:03 a.m. Police responded to a report of a suspicious man seen going into a rear year on Fern St. Upon the arrival of the police, the man had left the area, however he was located on Maple Ave. near Oak St. a short time later by Sgt. Richard Schultz and was stopped for investigation. As a result of his investigation, Sgt. Schultz arrested Crenshaw and charged him with a residential burglary and an attempted residential burglary  both of which were on Fern St. Crenshaw was remanded to the Bergen County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bail with no 10% option.

January 28, 2005.....F.L.P.D. Hires New Officer
Christopher Siano was hired as a probationary police officer and was sworn in on January 28^th.  He will fill a position left vacant by a retiring officer.

Mr. Siano is attending Bergen Community College and is a 1996 graduate of Fair Lawn High School.  He was previously employed by the Bergen County Sheriff's Department as a Corrections Officer from August of 2003 to the present and was employed by the N.J. Department of Corrections as a Corrections Officer from December of 2002 until August 2003. Mr. Siano is a resident of Fair Lawn.

Mr. Siano will attend the Basic Police Training Course at the Bergen County Law and Public Safety Institute until June of 2005. Once he graduates from the Basic Police Training Course, he will be assigned to the Operations Division (patrol) and undergo field training under the supervision of a Field Training Officer for 3 to 4 months prior to patrolling on his own.

     Fair Lawn Police Chief Erik Rose announced the arrest of James Chestnut, age 49, of Newark, N.J. for a bank robbery that occurred on October 6, 2004 at the Bank of New York, 13-51 River Road in Fair Lawn.

     On October 6, 2004, Chief Rose, Borough Manager Joanne Kwasniewski and Police Officer Timothy Franco were in a meeting at the Bank of New York in a private office for the purpose of discussing traffic issues in the area surrounding the bank when a teller came into the office and announced that she had been robbed. Officer Franco proceeded to obtain a description of the suspect while Chief Rose ran outside the bank in an effort to apprehend the suspect, however he could not locate him. Detective John Ietto was assigned the investigation.

     On October 16,2004, Detective Ietto was contacted by the Clifton Police Department regarding a bank robbery that had occurred in the City of Clifton on October 15^th. The Clifton Police had arrested James Chestnut and charged him with the robbery that occurred in Clifton and contacted Det. Ietto because they believed the two robberies may be related. Further investigation by Det. Ietto and Det. James Corcoran resulted in Chestnut being charged with one count of robbery in connection with the October 6^th robbery of the Bank of New York in Fair Lawn.  Chestnut who is currently incarcerated in the Passaic County Jail for the Clifton robbery was served with the additional robbery charge from Fair Lawn on October 25, 2004. Fair Lawn Municipal Court Judge Bonnie Mizdol set bail at $100,000 with no 10% option for the Fair Lawn charge.  Chestnut is due to appear in Fair Lawn Municipal Court for arraignment on October 27,2004 at 1 p.m.

Lt. Goetz

Sgt. Bastinck

Sgt. Metzler

     Three Fair Lawn Police Officers were promoted on October 12, 2004, at a meeting of the Fair Lawn Mayor and Council. The officers were promoted from a promotional list from the New Jersey Department of Personnel by Borough Manager Joanne Kwasniewski upon recommendation of Chief Erik Rose of the Fair Lawn Police Department.

     Sgt. Richard Goetz was promoted to Lieutenant.  Lt. Goetz is a 19 veteran of the Fair Lawn Police Department. He had been promoted to Sergeant in 1999, and had served as a supervisor in the patrol division. He also currently serves as the Field Training Officer program coordinator in which he oversees the field training of all new police officers who have recently graduated from the basic course at the police academy. He also is a firearms instructor and serves as the department's Chief Range Master. He is responsible for instructing officers in the proper use of firearms, ensuring that they comply with state regulations regarding firearms qualifications and supervising other firearms instructors. He is also certified as a police instructor by the N.J. Police Training Commission. He had also  served as a street crimes investigator with the detective bureau in 1992.   In his new assignment, Lt. Goetz will serve as a patrol shift commander.

     Detective Derek Bastinck was promoted to Sergeant. Detective Sergeant Bastinck is a veteran of 14 years with the Fair Lawn Police Department. He began his career as a patrol officer and was assigned to the Detective Bureau as the department’s juvenile officer in 1996. Det. Bastinck also serves as a D.A.R.E. officer and will continue to do so. He also has participated in the Fair Lawn Junior Citizen Police Academy and the newly initiated police explorer post. He has also served as a Street Crimes Investigator, Community Policing officer, Honor Guard officer, radar instructor and on the Bergen County Rapid Deployment Force as a Chemical Agent Officer.  Sgt. Bastinck also served as an assistant wrestling and football coach at Fair Lawn High School from 1989-1995 and continues to volunteer as a coach with children. Prior to joining the Fair Lawn Police Department, he had played minor league baseball in the New York Mets and Detroit Tigers organizations and obtained a Bachelors degree from Ramapo College of New Jersey . In his new assignment he will serve as a supervisor in the Detective Bureau.

     Police Officer Brian Metzler was promoted to Sergeant.  Sgt. Metzler is a veteran of six years with the Fair Lawn Police Department. Sgt. Metzler has been assigned to the patrol division for his entire career. He also serves as a D.A.R.E. officer at Memorial Middle School and is a member of the Fair Lawn Police Department’s Honor Guard. He has also participated in the Junior Citizen Police Academy and the newly initiated Law Enforcement Explorer Post.  Sgt. Metzler is also certified as a School Resource Officer and holds a Bachelor’s degree from William Paterson University. In his new assignment, he will serve as a supervisor in the patrol division.

     On May 25, 2004, Fair Lawn Borough Manager Joanne Kwasniewski promoted Capt. Erik Rose to Police Chief, Lt. Joseph Cook to Captain, Sgt. Glen Cauwels to Lieutenant, and Police Officer Ronald Patterson to Sergeant at a meeting of the Fair Lawn Mayor and Council.  

    
     Chief Rose is a 21 year veteran of the Fair Lawn Police Department. He had served as Acting Chief of Police since October 16, 2003. Previously he served as Lieutenant in the Administrative Services Division in charge of Strategic Planning. He was also in charge of overseeing the department’s computer system and vehicle fleet. Prior to that assignment, he had served as patrol Lieutenant, Patrol Sergeant, and Patrol Officer.   

    
     Chief Rose has resided in Fair Lawn for 41 years and is a graduate of the New Jersey Human Resource Development Institute/ Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Certified Public Manager Program.

     
     Captain Joseph Cook started with the Fair Lawn Police Department in 1986 as a patrol officer. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1996 and was instrumental in establishing the department’s community policing initiative. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1999 and was assigned as a platoon commander in the Operations Division. He is a certified community policing officer and spent 10 years with Fair Lawn’s D.A.R.E. program. Captain Cook designed and maintains the department’s website and has written numerous grants.

     A lifelong resident of Fair Lawn, Captain Cook is a graduate of Fair Lawn High School. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from William Paterson University and a Master’s degree in Education from Seton Hall University. He is a graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command and the New Jersey Human Resource Development Institute/ Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Certified Public Manager program. He is also an adjunct professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University and Ramapo College. Captain Cook will be assigned as Commander of the Operations Division.

      Lieutenant Glen Cauwels has been a member of the Fair Lawn Police Department for 10 years and has spent his entire career in the patrol division. Prior to joining the Fair Lawn Police Department, Lt. Cauwels served with the U.S. Marine Corps in Operation Desert Storm in the Middle East. He will now be in command of a patrol platoon and will be in charge of the department’s vehicle fleet. He also serves as a Field Training Officer and is certified as a bike patrol officer and a police instructor.

     Sgt. Patterson has been a member of the Fair Lawn Police Department since 1995. He has spent his entire career in the patrol division. Prior to joining the Fair Lawn Police Department Sgt. Patterson attended the University of Scranton and received a B.S. in Criminal Justice and a B.A. in History. Sgt. Patterson will serve as a field supervisor in the patrol division.

November 20, 2003.....Two arrested for burglary 

Acting Chief of Police Erik Rose announces the arrest of two burglary suspects.

     Kenneth Lawton, 46, of Teaneck was charged with five counts of burglary and five counts of theft by Det. John Ietto. Lawton committed 2 burglaries on Brookside Avenue and 3 burglaries on 34^th Street in the late summer of 2003. Lawton was originally arrested by the Englewood and the Leonia Police Departments along with the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office. Subsequent investigation had revealed that Lawton committed burglaries in other communities including Fair Lawn. Bail on the Fair Lawn charges was set at $25,000 with no 10% option.

Jay Eppling, 47, of Hawthorne was charged by Det. Ietto with two counts of burglary and two counts of theft for burglaries that occurred on Oct. 30^th and Oct 31^st on Harristown Road and Albert Avenue. Eppling had been apprehended by the Hawthorne Police Dept. on November 18^th  and subsequent investigation revealed that Eppling had committed the two Fair Lawn burglaries. Bail on the Fair Lawn charges was set at $10,000 with no 10% option. 

June 2, 2003.....FLPD/NJMVC Checkpoint Yields 134 Summonses

August 12, 2002.....The Fair Lawn Police Department processed and destroyed several weapons from past cases. The confiscated weapons were sent to the Bergen County Prosecutors Office for destruction after being cleared by the Bergen County Sheriffs Department Ballistics Unit.   Pictured from left to right, P.O. James Corcoran, Property Officer P.O. Anthony Ferreira, Detective Jeffrey Welsh, Detective Lt. Bruce Raymond, Captain Anthony Serrao, and Detective Sgt. Michael Messina.  (click for full size picture)

Fair Lawn Requires House Numbers

August 1, 2002.....The Fair Lawn Police Department wants to remind residents of the Borough Ordinance requiring house numbers.  The council of the Borough of Fair Lawn finds that residents and property owners of the borough would be more effectively and efficiently served by its police and fire departments, its rescue squad, its department of public works, and by similar municipal services, if readily visible house and building numbers were affixed to all such structures in the municipality.  Borough Ordinance 11-9 requires owners, occupants, or lessees of all dwellings, apartment houses, hotels, commercial and industrial establishments, and other buildings, to number such buildings with numerals not less than three and one half inches in height of such contrasting color and so located as to be readily visible from the street in daylight or when a light is shined upon it at night. Where entry to any of such buildings may be gained from an alley, walkway, or driveway, the numbers shall also be posted on such entry, subject to the same requirements, so as to be easily seen from said alley, walkway, or driveway.  Any person found guilty of violating any of the provisions of this section shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined in a sum not to exceed two hundred ($200. 00) dollars.

On Saturday, June 29, 2002, Fair Lawn Police Chief Rodman Marshall announced the arrests of Jonathon Sisco, 22, of Paterson, and a 17 year old male Paterson juvenile for armed robbery and threats.   

On Sunday, June 23, 2002, the Fair Lawn Police Department responded to a report of an armed robbery at Blockbuster Video, 23-04 Broadway, in Fair Lawn.  Blockbuster reported that both males had entered the store early in the morning, pulled a Mac-11machine gun from a backpack, pointed it at an employee, and demanded money.  Before obtaining any money, the thieves became nervous and fled the store.

Fair Lawn Police Detective/Sergeant Robert Kneer and Detective Derek Bastinck, began the investigation utilizing store security video.  As a result of their investigation, D/Sgt. Kneer, Det. Bastinck, along with Detective Robert Anzalotti and Detective Tom Dinisio from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, and officers from the Paterson Police Department’s Detective Bureau and Passaic County Sheriff’s Department conducted a 3 day surveillance in the Paterson area.  As a result of the surveillance, Sisco was taken into custody without incident.  The juvenile, who was on a bicycle, dropped his backpack and fled on foot when approached by the police.  After a foot pursuit, the juvenile was apprehended by Det. Bastinck, Det. Chris Stefannace and Det. Robert Anzalotti from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, and officers from the Paterson Police Department.  Det/Sgt. Kneer recovered a loaded Mac-11 machine gun in the juvenile’s backpack.  Subsequent investigation resulted in the recovery of a second Mac-11 machine gun from the juvenile. 

Sisco was charged in Fair Lawn with armed robbery and threats to kill.  His bail was set at $75,000 by Fair Lawn Municipal Court Judge Bonnie J. Mizdol, and he was transported to the Bergen County Jail in default of bail.  He is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, July 1.  The juvenile was also charged in Fair Lawn with armed robbery and threats to kill.  His juvenile petitions will be forwarded to Bergen County Family Court for further action.  The juvenile was turned over to the Paterson Police, as additional charges were pending against him in Paterson.  

June 29, 2002.....Guns confiscated in motor vehicle on Saddle River Road

May 25, 2002.....DWI Sobriety Checkpoint results in 77 summonses and 5 arrests.

The Fair Lawn Police Department, in cooperation with the Bergen County Police Department, and the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office conducted a DWI sobriety check point early yesterday morning.  From midnight to 4 a.m., officers from the Fair Lawn Police Department and the Bergen County Police Department operated a DWI checkpoint at Broadway westbound by 17^th Street.  Overall, 77 motor vehicle summonses were issued and 5 arrests were made.  Most of the motor vehicle summonses were issued for unregistered vehicle, no seatbelt, improper maintenance of lamps, no insurance, revoked driver and/or registration, and DWI.  

At 1:09 a.m., a Mazda 323 was waived into the checkpoint by Officer Robert Belbol because of a cracked tail light.   A check of the driver’s license showed that the operator, Michel Desire, 33, of Paterson, was driving with a suspended license.  His vehicle was impounded and he was issued summonses for the tail light and driving while revoked.  He is scheduled to appear in Fair Lawn Municipal Court on June 12.

At 1:10 a.m., a Ford was waived into the checkpoint.  The driver, James Holman, was operating with a suspended drivers license and there was an outstanding $250.00 warrant for him.  He was arrested by Officer Louis Evangelista, and was released after posting bail.  The passenger in the car, Claire P Arambulo, 22, of Belford, New Hampshire was issued a summons for allowing a revoked driver to drive.  Both are due in Fair Lawn Municipal Court on June 26.

At 1:11 a.m., a Ford was waived into the checkpoint by Officer Brian Metzler because of an expired inspection sticker.  The driver, Juan Acevedo, 21, of Paterson, was driving with a revoked driver’s license.  His vehicle was impounded and he was issued summonses for the inspection and driving while revoked.  He is scheduled to appear in Fair Lawn Municipal Court on June 21.

At 1:35 a.m., a Ford was pulled into the checkpoint because the driver, Lisa Mancuso, 31, of Paterson was not wearing a seatbelt.  The vehicle was unregistered and uninsured.  Her vehicle was impounded and she was issued summonses for unregistered and uninsured vehicle and no seatbelt.  She is scheduled to appear in Fair Lawn Municipal Court on June 7.

At 2:09 a.m., Officer Brian Metzler pulled a VW into the checkpoint because of a rejected inspection sticker and a broken signal light.  The driver, Jorge Yepes, 37, of Paterson Officer Metzler a fraudulent insurance ID card.  He was promptly arrested.  His vehicle was impounded.  At headquarters, Yepes had in his possession 2 forged Social Security cards and a forged resident alien card.  He was charged with the fraudulent insurance ID card and 3 counts of possessing forged documents.  He was released ROR and is scheduled to appear in Fair Lawn Municipal court on May 29.

At 2;10 a.m. Officer James Corcoran pulled a Jeep into the checkpoint.  The vehicle’s registration had expired 2/2002.  The driver, David Hyde, 29, of Fair Lawn, was issued a summons for an unregistered vehicle.  His vehicle was impounded.  He is scheduled to appear in Fair Lawn Municipal Court on June 12.

At 2:12 a.m. a Ford pick-up was waived into the checkpoint.  The driver, Robert Abraham, 39, of Clifton was arrested for DWI.  In addition to DWI, Abraham was charged with no registration in possession and uninsured vehicle.  His vehicle was impounded.  He is scheduled to appear in Fair Lawn Municipal Court on June 12.

At 2:34 a.m. a Mazda was waived into the checkpoint.  The driver, Eutenio Garcia-Mejias, 48, of Passaic, was arrested for DWI.  In addition to DWI, Garcia-Mejias was charged with careless driving.  His vehicle was impounded.  He is scheduled to appear in Fair Lawn Municipal Court on June 7.

At 3:23 a.m. a Chevrolet van was pulled into the checkpoint, the driver, Paul Gaughan, 29, of Fair Lawn, was arrested for DWI.  Located under the driver’s seat was a three bladed, knife like weapon.  His vehicle was impounded.  Gaughan was charged with DWI and unlawful possession of a weapon.  He is scheduled to appear in Fair Lawn Municipal Court on May 29.

May 21, 2002.....On May 21^st at approximately 2:15 p.m., an elderly resident of Midland Ave. was visited by a white male approximately 35-40 years of age, 5’5’’ tall, medium build with dark hair and eyes. The male was wearing dark clothing and parked a white pick up truck in the resident’s driveway. The male advised the resident that there had been a water main break on Broadway and that he needed to see her water meter. The male told the resident to watch the meter while he went upstairs to run the water. When the resident became suspicious and went upstairs to confront him, the male stated that that she had overpaid her water bill and then asked to see her strongbox. When the resident refused, he left the residence.

It is important to realize that all employees of the Fair Lawn Water Department carry proper identification. Residents who are suspicious should ask to see the employee’s identification and should refuse entry into their homes to anyone claiming to be a water department employee and notify the police immediately at (201)796-1400. Also, the public should be aware that the Water Department does not utilize a white pick up truck.  The Water Department utilizes only Blue pickup trucks that have Fair Lawn Water Department painted on the doors.  The water department also usually does not handle financial transactions at a resident’s home. The only exception is when the customer has contacted the water department to request that a serviceperson come out to test a meter because the resident believes that the meter is not functioning properly. Detective Sergeant Michael Messina is investigating the Midland Ave. incident. Members of the public with any information about this case may contact him at (201)794-5410.