HALLOWEEN

The City of Clifton will not cancel or postpone Halloween. We do strongly recommend that all Halloween activities be curtailed after dark due to numerous power outages, down wires, ice conditions and peripheral issues. The emergency call load continues to exceed normal volume. Please be patient, city services are working hard to address your concerns in a timely manner.

ARMED ROBBERIES OF PEDESTRIANS

Investigators from the Clifton Police Department are searching for suspects in four separate armed robberies that occurred within the City of Clifton during the past week. The first incident took place on October 21st near 556 Van Houten Avenue at approximately 11:45 PM. During this incident, the male victim was accosted by two male actors; one of whom placed a knife against the victim's back and demanded that he "hand over everything". The victim complied and the actors fled the scene in a vehicle being operated by a third accomplice.

On October 24th, at approximately 10:00 P.M., a 35 year old male was walking on DeMott Avenue near First Street when he was approached by three male actors who pushed him to the ground, rifled through his pockets, and ultimately removed numerous personal belongings from his possession. The actors then fled the scene after threatening to "shoot" the victim.  Moments later, two females (55 and 56 years of age) were walking to their respective vehicles on DeMott Avenue near Second Street when they were simultaneoulsly approached by at least two male actors. One of the actors was reportedly in possession of a handgun and attempted to physically remove a purse from one of the victims. When the victim resisted, the actor used even greater force and ultimately caused the purse to tear in half and the contents of same to become strewn about the roadway. During this time, the second victim was being assaulted as another actor attempted to gain possession of her purse. While doing so, the actor forced the victim to the ground where she struck her head against the pavement and ultimately relinquished control of her purse to him. Both victims sustained injuries, however one victim received further treatment at St. Mary's Hospital.

The actors in all four incidents were described as dark-skinned Hispanic males, possibly of Dominican descent; ages 15-21.
The investigation is on-going and additional details will be released as they become available. Anyone with information regarding these incidents can contact the Detective Division at 973-470-5908.

TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT IN THE CITY OF CLIFTON

The purpose of trafffic enforcement in the City of Clifton is to ensure the safety of all vehicle operators and pedestrians within all areas of the city. One aspect of traffic enforcement conducted by the Clifton Police Department involves enforcing vehicle/pedestrian laws in and around the many school zones located within the city. During these enforcements officers handle both moving and parking violations, along with pedestrian issues. One of the methods utilized in conducting these operations is "Non-Confrontational Enforcement". This type of enforcement involves officers observing violations occurring in their presence, recording the license plate of the vehicle involved in the violation, and mailing the appropriate summons to the registered owner of the vehicle. This type of enforcement reduces the number of officers required to conduct the operation; thus, allowing for the availibility of other officers to handle emergencies and other police related functions. NOTE: Any violation or incident observed by an officer that would be categorized as an imminent danger to the public is addressed immediately on scene. 

A frequent violation that occurs not only within school zones, but throughout the city, is illegal parking. Illegal parking is not acceptable as it adds to both traffic and security issues. This type of violation may result in either a summons being issued or in some instances, a vehicle being towed from the scene if the driver can not be located, or if some type of hazard exists.

One of the main goals of the Clifton Police Department is to ensure a safe environment for all. With that in mind, this notice is intended to educate the public and discourage traffic related violations. Please visit the Clifton Police Department "Facebook" and "Twitter" page for updates on crime information, traffic issues, and police department announcements.

PHISHING SCAM

The Clifton Police Department is issuing a warning to all residents regarding e-mails being received from the Internal Revenue Service. Residents have begun receiving these e-mails which direct the recipient to click on an attached link in order to view their current financial tax status. This is a confirmed "phishing scam" that the I.R.S. is aware of and is currently in the process of investigating.

It has been confirmed that the I.R.S. WILL NOT communicate with the public via e-mail under any circumstances. Therefore, any e-mail originating from the Internal Revenue Service is to automatically be deemed a scam, and the mail MUST NOT be opened. If it is, personal information regarding the recipient will be transferred directly to the individual(s) perpetrating the scam.

Any reports or questions regarding phishing scams can be directed to the I.R.S. via phishing@irs.gov.  General information is available by seraching the I.R.S. website (keyword -- "phishing"). Residents can also contact the Clifton Police Department for assistance.

TRAFFIC/PARKING ENFORCEMENT IN SCHOOL ZONES

Recently, there have been many inquiries regarding a particular traffic enforcement that took place on October 5, 2011 at Clifton Public School #8 located on Oak Street. This enforcement was initiated after the police department received an overwhelming number of complaints from motorists traveling through this area during early morning "student drop off". These complaints were forwarded to the police department not only by passing motorists, but also by concerned parents, who have routinely witnessed safety issues during this particular time of day.

The majority of the complaints were in regard to parents allowing their to children exit vehicles while stopped in the middle of the roadway, not only adding to traffic congestion, but also creating a safety issue for the children. A secondary complaint involved vehicles being parked in front of the school for a substantial amount of time. This issue also contributes to traffic congestion and is inconsiderate to other parents who are awaiting an opportunity to safely drop off their children.

Officers conducting this type of enforcement utilize two statutes from NJ Title 39, specifically 39:4-135 and 39:4-139, both of which are parking related statutes dealing directly with the aforementioned violations. During this particular enforcement, officers observed the violations taking place, recorded the license plates of the vehicles in question, and mailed the appropriate summonses to the registered owner of the vehicle. Approximately thirty (30) summonses were issued during this enforcement, some of which were the result of other infractions.  

The Clifton Police Department places school zone safety among its top priorities and as a result, consistently monitors school zone activity and promptly responds to complaints of traffic and safety issues that involve Clifton schools. This enforcement was not  isolated in nature; moreover, it was part of a routine enforcement that has been taking place in school zones within the City of Clifton for quite some time and one that will continue in the future. 

ROBBERY ARREST

During the afternoon hours of September 10th, 2011, two  shoppers at  the "Michael's" store, located in the Riverfront Shopping Center, became victims of robbery during two separate incidents that occurred within minutes of each other. Both incidents took place in the foyer area of the store and involved one male actor forcefully removing gold necklaces from each victim's neck. The actor, described as an African American male, fled from the scene by unknown means after perpetrating the second act.

After nearly a month long investigation led by Detective Michael McLaughlin, the actor was identified and warrants were generated for his arrest. On October 7th, 2011, Clifton detectives apprehended the actor at his residence in Irvington, NJ. He was identified as Randy S. Hayes (36 years of age). Hayes was charged with two counts of second degree Robbery along with drug related charges that stemmed from his arrest. Bail was set at $350,000 no 10%.

ARMED ROBBERY ARREST

On October 1, 2011 at approximately 11:00 P.M., the gas station located at 1061 Main Avenue (Clifton) was robbed at gunpoint. The gas attendant was approached by a male party who proceeded to point a firearm in his direction and demand money. The attendant complied and handed over cash to the actor, who then fled the scene on foot. During the evening hours of October 4th, the same gas station experienced a second robbery perpetrated by an individual in possession of a firearm. Last night, at approximately 10:00 P.M., a third robbery occurred at the same gas station; however this time there was no weapon displayed. The lone actor fled on foot, making away with several hundred dollars.

Detective Bureau personnel along with Anit-Crime detectives and patrol officers (from Clifton and Passaic) initiated a canvas that began at the incident location and stretched deep into the City of Passaic.Within one half hour of the incident, Detectives Wayne Stine, Rocco Locantore ,and Randy Colondres (of the Anti-Crime Unit) located a subject that matched the description of the actor on Monroe Street in Passaic. After approaching this individual, the detectives confirmed that he was in fact the actor from the robbery and after a brief struggle, placed him into custody.

The actor, later identified as Daniel Vasquez (19 years of age) of Clifton, was conveyed to police headquarters where detectives eventually linked him to involvement in all three robberies. Vasquez was charged with multiple counts of Armed Robbery, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose.

Daniel Vasquez