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The Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation Provides Emergency Blankets for Township Police Cars. Standard equipment found in each Cedar Grove Patrol Cars includes a warm and dry blanket. Officers provide the blankets to victims at the scenes of emergencies, including house fires, medical calls and motor vehicle crashes. The Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, located in Cedar Grove for over 24 years, has provided the Cedar Grove Police Dept. with brand new comfortable blankets. The Gray Eco Blankets are derived from recycled polyester yarn made from 78 recycled PET bottles. Most commonly, the blanket is used during Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation’s disaster relief operation around the world. As of today, Tzu Chi volunteers worldwide have delivered over 1000,000 blankets to disaster victims in 37 countries. Although on a much smaller scale here in Cedar Grove the blanket will provide the same needed relief. They also operate a food pantry. Serving Cedar Grove and surrounding areas.
The Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation reports it was established in 1966 by Venerable Dharma Master Cheng Yen in Taiwan. For 53 years, the foundation has provided relief with compassion and love to those needing it most. The volunteers help provide relief that includes shelter, food, cash cards and it all comes with love and compassion with the hope to build a better world. “The Tzu Chi Foundation has become a welcomed part of the Cedar Grove Community” (Chief J. Cirasa). The Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, Mid-Atlantic Region is located at 150 Commerce Road, Cedar Grove, NJ. 07009 973-857-8666 http://www.us.tzuchi.org
The food pantry hours are Fridays 11:30am to 2:00am and the 2nd and the 4th Sat 11:30am – 2:00pm

Captured in upper photo: from the left: Leo Chang, Lt. Eileen O’Toole, Tina Lee Tzu Chi CEO, Chief Cirasa, Ivy Wong, and Cecilia Yu
 

Captured in photo on right from left to right: Leo Chang, Chief Cirasa

On Tuesday, August 6^th the Cedar Grove Police Department in conjunction with the Municipal Alliance hosted the 2019 Cedar Grove Night Out Event in Community Park.  Once again the event was a huge success. There was great weather and lots of fun. It would not have been possible without the help and support of the many different groups and individuals that participated. We would like to thank the following:  The Cedar Grove Township Manager, the Township Council, the Recreation Department, the Department of Public Works, our Rescue Squad and Fire Departments, West Caldwell Fire Department, New Jersey State Police, Essex County Sheriff Dept., Mountainside Hospital-Atlantic Paramedics and the Atlantic Corporation, the Cedar Grove Elks, the Knights of Columbus of Verona & Cedar Grove, Copper Gear and Designs LLC, Liberty Coca-Cola Products, Nicholas Markets Super Foodtown, Kings of Verona, Arctic Falls, David’s Cookies, Florham Park AAA, Rainbow Catering, Horizon Entertainment and Attractions Inc., Mountainside Stables and the Pony Express, The Mad Hatters LLC, Rare Steak House, Master Cho’s Talium, P.F.G. Food Service of Elizabeth, Sabrett’s, Nathan’s, Golds and Gulden’s, Cedar Grove Public Library, Cedar Grove UNICO, Esposito’s Pizza & Deli for the zeppolies, il Tulipano for the hamburgers, Two Guys Tee’s, the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi foundation USA, Alpine Entertainment, Scouts USA Girl Troop,  Kiwanis, J & J Snacks, and Jacqueline Wolfstirn of Sinful Sweets.
          We would also like to thank the many residents that came out for CGNO, helping to make it a great success and a true ‘Community Event‘.
Finally, I would like to give a special thanks to our Cedar Grove Night Out Coordinator Officer Carolyn Zajack for her hard work in bringing the event together along with the women and men of the Cedar Grove Police Department.  An event such as Cedar Grove Night Out demonstrates what a dedicated group of men and women we have serving the residents of Cedar Grove.   
 
                                                                                    Joseph Cirasa
                                                                                    Chief of Police

A Pursuit of a Stolen Vehicle Leads to an Arrest. The incident began on July 22^nd 2019 at 2:04 AM. Officer Anthony Grigolo was on routine patrol north bound on Route 23 when he received a stolen vehicle alert on a license plate check. The alert indicated that the vehicle, a 2015 Gray 4DR Mazda, was reported stolen out of Rumson, New Jersey. Officer Grigolo attempted to stop the Mazda. When he activated his emergency lights and siren the vehicle speed away North Bound toward Wayne. The suspect vehicles speed was such that the pursuit was terminated at Main Street in Little Falls. The vehicle was last seen on Route 23 entering the Wayne interchange for Routes 46 and 80. This information was transmitted to all surrounding towns. Shortly after Little Fall Police advised that the vehicle had crashed and was now unoccupied in the interchange of Rt.23 and Rt.46. Officers from Cedar Grove, Little Falls, Fairfield and Wayne flooded the area. Officer located a male suspect, Mr. Ahshod Savage a 30 year old male out of Newark, walking in the Bahama Breeze parking lot 101 Rt.23. Officer Grigolo positively identified Mr. Savage as the stolen vehicle operator. He was placed into custody and transported to Cedar Grove Police Headquarters. He was charged with eluding, resisting arrest, receiving stolen property, burglary tools and numerous motor vehicle violations. The vehicle was processed by detectives. Additional charges may be filled in Rumson for the actual theft of the vehicle. Mr. Savage was transported to the Essex County Jail.
 
All persons charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty.      
                            
The Cedar Grove Police Department requests that the public report all suspicious activity observed, as it occurs.  The police department telephone number is 973-239-4100 and in case of emergency 9-1-1.

A suspicious vehicle investigation leads to officer being assaulted. The incident began on July 19^th 2019 at 3:25 PM when a Park Ridge Estates Resident reported a suspicious vehicle in the area of Eileen Drive. Officer Rivers quickly located the vehicle which was occupied and improperly parked on Jennie Court. Officer Rivers advised the two vehicle occupants of the reason for his inquiry. The operator, later identified as Khalil Cale a 20 year old male out of East Orange, stated that he liked looking at the houses. Officer Rivers explained to him that, that was fine, however Officer Rivers questioned the validity of vehicle inspection decal. While speaking with the operator Officer Rivers had noted that the vehicle inspection decal was fraudulent. A fact that he confirmed though the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission records. The operator became agitated and increasingly irrational. Lt. John Kennedy arrived on scene to assist. The officers could not de-escalate the situation. Mr. Cale would not return to his vehicle. He refused to follow all direction. He remained in the roadway and now began verbally threatening the officers. He continued to interfere and his irrational behavior escalated further when he started slapping at Lt. Kennedy defensively raised arms. When he was told he was under arrest, Mr. Cale ran from the officers. He was taken into custody a short distance away. He was arrested for, resisting arrest, obstruction the administration of law, and aggravated assault on a police officer. He was transported to headquarters without further incident. Essex County Prosecutors Office authorized disorderly person charges and Mr. Cale was released with a municipal court date. The vehicle passenger, a female, was released at the scene and vehicle was impounded. No injuries were reported.    
 

Car Burglar Charged

On May 21^st 2019 at 4:16 A.M. a residents Ring Door Bell on Donato Drive captured video of car burglar entering and searching through his vehicle. Additionally Little Falls had numerous vehicle burglaries in that same area. Detective John Smigelsky released the video image of the suspect to the media attempting to identify the actor. Det. Smigelsky also shared the video with surrounding police agencies. Numerous other agencies including Wayne, Clifton and Bloomfield Police as well many others were also attempting to identify the same subject for burglaries committee in their towns. Bloomfield was able to secure a finger print and subsequently with the image captured by the Donato Drive resident’s Ring Camera was able to positively identify the subject. The accused, Moises Echevarria a 39 year old male out of Paterson, was arrested and charged by Bloomfield PD. Cedar Grove Detectives were then able to positively establish Echevarri as the same individual that committed the burglary in Cedar Grove. Essex County Prosecutors Office authorized burglary and criminal attempted burglary charges. The subject was served at the Essex County Jail. “I would like to thank our fellow colleagues in the media for their continued assistance”.
 
“Please consider joining the Ring Neighbors Application. Cedar Grove P.D. recently has. It’s a new way to provide real-time crime and safety information to our community. You do not need to own a Ring device or any other home security system in order to download and use the Neighbors app. Joining does not grant law enforcement access to cameras or user data. All tips shared via Neighbors are anonymous unless residents choose to identify themselves, Ring Neighbors is simply a platform for residents to submit video or images to police and for police to send requests for video and images to residents. Interested residents can text “StaySafe” to 555888 from a smart phone to download the Neighbors Application at no cost.”
                                                                                             Chief J. Cirasa   

Stolen Vehicle Leads to Car Burglary Arrests

On June 25^th 2019 at 2:47 AM. Officer Christopher Lynch was on routine patrol south bound on Route 23 when he received an alert on a license plate check he had conducted moments before. The check was on a passing north bound, red Mitsubishi. The alert indicated that the vehicle was reported stolen out of Elizabeth New Jersey. Officer Lynch executed a U-turn and began to travel north looking for the vehicle. The vehicle was last seen at Route 23 and Little Falls Rd. This information was transmitted to the Little Falls and Verona Police. A search for the subject vehicle began on the streets along Route 23. A short time later Officer Lynch observed three individuals on foot in the area of Beech St. and Brookdale. Officer Lynch discovered a juvenile female hiding behind a parked car on Beech St, and radioed that the two juvenile males were fleeing on foot on Brookdale Ave toward Mawal Drive. The female was placed immediately into custody. Officers from Cedar Grove, Little Falls and Verona flooded the area. A search of the area revealed the stolen Mitsubishi parked un-occupied and two juvenile males were eventually located and taken into custody. One was chased and found hiding in a yard, the other male was also chased and apprehended near Brunswick Road. Subsequent investigation revealed residential surveillance video showing the two male subjects pulling on door handles of parked cars and entering others. The two male juveniles were later charged with burglary/attempted burglary, obstruction by flight, and possession of stolen property. The female was not charged at this time. Cedar Grove Detectives followed up with interviews. Additional charges may be filled in Elizabeth for the actual theft of the vehicle there. All subjects were released to their guardians.       
“This was outstanding proactive police work by our alert officers and those of our surrounding towns. We are fortunate that no one was injured. Once again, do not leave Keys, Key Fob’s or valuables in your car”.
                                              Chief J. Cirasa    

Follow up Investigation by detectives leads to an arrest for theft.

On April 18th 2019 at 11:47 AM a township resident contacted police reporting the theft of over $7,000 in jeweler. The jewelry had been taken from her master bedroom. Several pieces had gone missing over several days. Because there was no signs of forced entry, nor had anyone been in the house, the elderly resident began to suspect their home aid may be involved. Detectives John Smigelsky and Carolyn Lynch were assigned to the case. Detective Smigelsky began to check area gold purchasing business for the jeweler. Detective Smigelsky did locate one of the stolen rings in a local shop. The ring was secured and will be returned to the victim. On May 17^th 2019 the home aid was interviewed by detectives and subsequently admitted to the theft. The home aid was found to have an active warrant, she was placed under arrest, charged, and then released pending a June 19^th court date. Arrested was 23 year old Shadaisia Bolden of Newark.

                                                                                                                        Chief J. Cirasa

On Wednesday, May 8^th 2019, Cedar Grove Police Officer Raymond Cassella assisted at the Annual Essex County Special Olympics event held in Brookdale Park. It’s a great competitive track and field event with over 400 athletes attending. “I was glad we were able to join these athletes on this special day” Chief J. Cirasa.