Tag Archives: police

Local Life

Retro Fair Haven Police Line-Up

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Fair Haven PD in 2001 Photo/FHPD

In recognition of National Police Week, we are reposting this Retro Pic of the Day of Fair Haven police …

With National Police Week coming to a close, it’s only fitting that we take a look back at the Fair Haven Police Department. This look goes back to 2001. It features some officers who have since retired, some who have moved on and some who have passed.

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Local Life

Retro Rumson Police Snapshot

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Rumson police of the past Photo/Rumson PD Facebook page

It’s National Police Week. And it’s a National Police Week of a different kind this year.

Usually the week represents the culmination of the Police Unity Tour in which law enforcement officers from all over the nation ride bicycles to the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C. to honor fallen officers. But, for the first time since before it began in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day, there is no ride due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

There is also no week of convergence in Washington to participate in the now longtime tradition of participation in events to honor fallen officers. But there is still remembrance.

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Police and Fire, Regional Interest, Rumson Police and Fire Files

NJ State Police: Rumson ‘Corona Party’ Most ‘Blatant’ Flouting of Law

Of the previous week’s seven infractions of the statewide stay-at-home edict during the COVID-19 pandemic that were cited on Sunday by Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal and NJ State Police Superintendent Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Saturday’s Rumson party was honed in on as the most flagrant of defiances.

“Well, you don’t get much more blatant than the party crowd in Rumson that resisted and insulted police officers who asked them to disperse,” NJ State Police Superintendent Colonel Patrick Callahan said in a released statement.

As social media comments ran rampant after Rumson police on Saturday night issued a statement about the party and the blatant defiance they were met with when they broke it up, announcing a zero tolerance policy moving forward, they followed that up on Sunday an announcement that the matter was under investigation and charges were pending.

Rumson Police Chief Scott Paterson is handling all inquiries and has been contacted by R-FH Retro. His comments will be included when they become available.

In the meantime, the Attorney General has announced that charges were filed in the incident against at least one person.

“John Maldjian, 54, of Rumson, was charged today by the Rumson Police with reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct, and two separate charges related to violating the emergency orders. All are disorderly persons offenses,” the release from the Attorney General said.

The charges are all disorderly persons offenses.

Maldjian is a musician and attorney, according to his Facebook page. Police, according to the release, were dispatched at 8:19 p.m. to respond to a large party on Blackpoint Road with a band.

“When they arrived, they discovered the homeowner, John Maldjian, together with another man, playing acoustic guitars on the front porch of the home. There were approximately 30 people, between the ages of 40 and 50, gathered on Maldjian’s front lawn and the adjoining street watching the performance. Some had lawn chairs and alcoholic beverages,” the release added.

The police cars’ flashing lights and requests to end the party were ignored. The band kept playing. Maldjian did not stop singing and playing until approached by an officer.

The crowd became unruly at this point, police said, and shouting curses at police and “Welcome to Nazi Germany.”

Charges against those unruly audience members/party attendees are “forthcoming,” the Attorney General said.

“The Governor’s executive orders are commonsense measures to keep people safe during this historic health crisis,” Attorney General Grewal said. “When people like the partiers in Rumson flout the orders and show disrespect and hostility to police officers, they not only put themselves and the others immediately involved in peril, they risk inciting others to engage in such irresponsible and dangerous behavior. Our police officers are working courageously every day to protect us all, and we will continue to charge anyone who violates the emergency orders, which literally are a matter of life and death.” 

The other statewide incidents cited included: 11 non-essential businesses in Newark being open; a woman arrested in Teaneck coughing and spitting on police while in custody, saying she had the virus; a Wegmans supermarket coughing incident; a dog groomer continuing to operate; a backyard gathering in Toms River; and someone bringing five youths from a youth shelter out to play basketball.

As of Sunday, there were 2,351 positive cases of COVID-19 in Monmouth County alone. In Rumson, the positive count is up to 21. In Fair Haven the count is up to 14. In Middletown, the largest municipality in the county, over the bridge from Rumson, the township has largest number of positive cases at 217 now.

Police and Fire, Rumson Police and Fire Files

Rumson Police Break Up ‘Corona Party,’ Reiterate No Tolerance Policy

UPDATE: From the Rumson Police Department the day after the party, March 5, 2020 …

“On behalf of Chief Scott Paterson, the Rumson Police Department has received some inquiries regarding the status of charging the people involved in party. The matter is presently under investigation by the Rumson Police Department and charges are pending. A post will be made once the subject(s) have been served with a criminal complaint.”

Lt. Christopher J. York

Mid-COVID-19 pandemic, Rumson police on Saturday night broke up a front lawn acoustic Pink Floyd concert party of about 30 people in their 40s and 50s.

The department issued a released statement about the party and its participants’ defiance of pandemic social distancing and disrespect and disregard for the state’s stay-at-home” edict. Authorities say they have a zero tolerance policy that will be adhered to stringently.

As of Friday, there were 19 Rumsonites who had tested positive for the virus. In Fair Haven there were 14. Close by, over the Oceanic Bridge, in Middletown, the largest municipality in Monmouth County, there were 156 positives, the largest number in the county.

Here’s what Rumson police had to say …

“This evening the Rumson Police Department received an unfortunate call about a group of 30 people on the front lawn of a house on Blackpoint Road near Wood Lane.

“When our patrols arrived we were met by a group of approx. 30 ’40-50′ year old ADULTS who were located in the middle of Blackpoint Road and on the front law attending an acoustic concert of Pink Floyd’s greatest hits. (Some even brought lawn chairs).

“The impromptu concert was performed by two guitarists equipped with microphones and amplifiers who were also broadcasting the concert via Facebook live. 

“When we informed everyone that they must leave — in accordance with Governor Murphy’s executive orders regarding these so called ‘corona-parties’ — we were met with well wishes of ‘F-the police’ and ‘Welcome to Nazi Germany’ from this group of 40-50 year old ADULTS. 

“As the old saying goes, in the midst of all this chaos, the band still played on, that is until they were advised in the middle of the 1975 classic Wish You Were Here, that they must stop the show. 

“Sadly I’m sure we all ‘wish we could be here,’ and the Rumson Police Department takes no enjoyment in ruining anyone’s fun! However we ALL have a responsibility to take this pandemic SERIOUSLY and adhere to the social distancing requirement. 

“We also need to be a good role model for our children and be kind and understanding during these times. 

“Please use this incident as a learning experience for everyone! If we have to respond to another ‘corona party’ we will be using a zero tolerance approach and everyone involved will be charged with Disorderly Conduct.

“We are all in this together and together we need to make smarter choices.”

Police and Fire, Red Bank Police & Fire Files

Police Report: Theft, Criminal MIschief, Sexual Assault, Aggravated Assault, Drug Possession, DWI

The following February criminal incidents and arrests were reported by Red Bank police. An arrest does not constitute a conviction.

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