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

HAUNTED HOUSE ADVISORY

The City of Passaic has authorized the operation of a Haunted House for the Halloween season in the industrial property located at the end of Brighton Ave., off of Van Houten Ave. at the Clifton/Passaic border.  This attraction will open Friday September 30, 2011 and is expected to draw a large amount of visitors.  We anticipate some issues which may affect our residents such as parking spill over and potentially unruly groups.  In preparation for this, we are planning increased patrol activity in your area, however if you observe a violation please assist us by reporting it in a timely manner to the Clifton Police Department at 973-470-5911.  We will do our very best to minimize any adverse effects that this attraction may have on our residents and appreciate your assistance.

WEAPON ARREST AT CLIFTON HIGH SCHOOL

Today, at approximately 12:00 P.M., the school resource officers assigned to the Clifton High School (specifically Detectives Hillyer and Smith) received information that a student was in possession of a loaded firearm on campus. Determining that the information was credible, school officials were notified and the Clifton High School campus was placed into a "lock-down." Having only been provided with a first name, the resource officers along with school officials immediately began an investigation into determining the identity of this individual. A short time later, a possible identity of the student in question was established and the officers immediately responded to a classroom in the "east wing" which, according to the school class schedule, was where this individual was assigned during this particular period. Upon their arrival, the officers were advised that the student had been granted a hall pass just moments prior and could have been anywhere within the campus grounds.

The officers then initiated a systematic search of the building and entered a restroom known to the officers as an area that would be accessible to students. At that time, the officers encountered 15 male students inside the bathroom area and after a process of elimination, were able to locate the student in question and ultimately recovered a metal framed "BB" style pistol (capable of discharging plastic and metal BB's) from the student's waistband. The 15 year old student was placed under arrest and conveyed to the Clifton Police Department where he was charged with weapons offenses and ultimately conveyed to the Essex County Juvenile Shelter in Newark.

According to the student, he possessed the weapon solely for the purpose of "giving it to a friend at the end of the day." There is no information indicating that the student had intentions to commit a criminal offense with the weapon. There are no further details available at this time.

VAN HOUTEN AVE ROAD CLOSURE BETWEEN GSP BRIDGE AND CLIFTON AVE

As many of you are aware, there is an ongoing street and sidewalk repair project on Van Houten Ave. between the GSP Bridge and Clifton Ave.  This area of Van Houten Ave. is scheduled for repaving next week.  The schedule is as follows, please plan accordingly, and avoid this area if possible:

Monday, September 26, 2011 at 8:00 am:  New Prince will mobilize the milling operation at the intersection of Clifton Ave. and Van Houten Ave.  One lane of traffic will be kept open while the milling operation is ongoing.  Trucks will be detoured around the work area down Broad St. to Allwood Rd. to Mt Prospect Ave.  The milling should be completed by 2:30 pm when school is dismissed.  School buses from Clifton HS will exit on the Colfax Ave. side.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011 and Wednesday, September 28, 2011: New Prince will raise and reset manholes and inlets, and prepare the roadway for paving.  Two lanes of traffic should be open during this operation through the work area.

Thursday, September 29 and Friday, September 30, 2011: Clifton schools will be closed due to holiday which will minimize traffic through the work area.  New Prince will pave Van Houten Ave. from Clifton Ave. to just short of the Garden State Parkway bridge.  One lane of traffic will be kept open during the paving operation and trucks will be detoured per the detour plan described above.

ARMED ROBBERY PRESS RELEASE

Last night at approximately 9:00 P.M., an armed robbery occurred at the "Jerusalem Pharmacy" located on Main Avenue in the City of Clifton.
A lone male actor entered the location wearing a facial covering and gloves and carrying a "sawed-off" shotgun. The actor approached the counter, pointed the weapon at the pharmacist, and demanded "pain-killers". The pharmacist complied and proceeded to hand over numerous bottles of prescription pills to the actor – who then fled from the pharmacy while making threatening statements to the victim in the process. The actor reportedly fled the scene on foot (Park Slope toward Getty Avenue).

There are no further details available at this time. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Clifton Police Department Detective Bureau at 973-470-5908.