Category Archives: Police and Fire

Find all the area police and fire news here.

DWI Checkpoint in Fair Haven

There will be a DWI checkpoint in Fair Haven Friday night through Saturday morning.

The check point, sponsored by the Monmouth County DWI Task Force in cooperation with the Fair Haven Police Department, will be set up in the Acme parking lot on River Road from 10 p.m. Friday through 2 a.m. Saturday.

Fair Haven police will be pulling vehicles into the parking lot from the eastbound lanes of River Road to assess drivers’ sobriety, according to task force authorities.

 

Rumson Police: Zero Tolerance for Area Residents Caught with Fireworks

With the Fourth of July holiday comes fireworks — legal displays set safely by professional pyrotechnicians on barges, not in suburban back yards or anywhere else.

So, that in mind, Rumson police are reminding people in the area that fireworks are illegal in the state of New Jersey for any unlicensed professional.

“The chief has advised to patrols to have zero tolerance for anyone caught setting them (fireworks) off,” Rumson Detective Sgt. Christopher Isherwood said.

And police are reminding all that with the offense ranging from possession of fireworks to intent to sell, the penalties can be very stiff.

They range from a disorderly persons offense for possession alone to “possession with intent to sell being a fourth-degree offense with a possible penalty of up to 18 months in jail and $10,000 in fines,” Isherwood said.

There are no displays in the Rumson-Fair Haven area set for tonight, so police further advise that residents don’t take it upon themselves to set one. They also remind residents that fireworks traumatize seniors, vets with PTSD and animals.

Check the area’s professional fireworks displays set for tonight by clicking here.

“We would like to remind residents that not only are fireworks dangerous, they are illegal in NJ,” Rumson police said in a Facebook post. “Leave the fireworks to the experts, and enjoy the long weekend.”

— Elaine Van Develde

Police: Rumson Teen Party Busted

Rumson police have arrested two borough teens on charges in connection with underage drinking at a large Saturday party allegedly hosting juveniles.

The party host, Ian Vernon, 18, of Elm Lane, Rumson, was arrested and charged with maintaining a nuisance, serving alcoholic beverages to underage persons, and disorderly conduct after police responded to an 11 p.m. call reporting the party at his home.

The caller reported that there were “multiple juveniles on their lawn,” police said. Rumson Police Lt. Christopher York and Sgt. Peter Koenig responded and found the reported party in progress and many running from the scene upon police’s arrival, police reported.

Assistance was requested from Fair Haven and Little Silver police.

In addition to Vernon, Sam Chandler, 18, of Rumson was arrested and charged with underage possession of alcohol, police reported.

Both Vernon and Chandler were released on summonses pending court, police said.

Rumson Police: Terroristic Threats, Weapons, DWIs, Fireworks & Juveniles with Alcohol

The following arrests were reported by Rumson police. An arrest does not constitute a conviction.

Arrests

• Four area juveniles were arrested on May 21 and charged with underage possession of alcohol by Special Officer Donald Morse.

• David Keyser, 34, of West Long Branch, was arrested on May 15 and charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI) by Patrolman Daniel Campanella.

• Tammy Crine, 49, of Red Bank, was arrested on May 15 and charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI) by Special Officer Michael Berger.

• Jake Demelio, 19, of Rumson, was arrested on May 12 and charged with simple assault and unlawful use of fireworks by Patrolman Donald Schneider.

• Jonathan Diamond, 40, of Rumson, was arrested on May 11 and charged with terroristic threats, unlawful possession of a weapon and disorderly conduct by Captain Jeff Nixon and Sgt. Peter Koenig.

Contempt of Court

• Patricia Coston, 52, of Asbury Park, was arrested on May 27 on a contempt of court (COC) warrant by Captain Jeff Nixon.

• Marcus Rice, 32, of Red Bank, was arrested on May 23 on a contempt of court (COC) warrant by Patrolman Daniel Campanella.

• Joseph Kowitski Jr., 18, of Sea Bright, was arrested on May 13 on a contempt of court (COC) warrant by Special Officer Michael Berger.

• David Garcia, 41, of Parlin, was arrested on May 5 on a contempt of court (COC) warrant by Patrolman Daniel Campanella and Patrolman Richard Torres.

Retro Fair Haven Police Chief, Mentor

Fair Haven Police Chief Carl Jakubecy Photo/FHPD
Fair Haven Police Chief Carl Jakubecy
Photo/FHPD

The news of former Fair Haven Police Chief Darryl Breckenridge’s appointment as the new director of the Monmouth County Police Academy prompted thoughts of the man he says in one moment, with one gesture became his mentor and motivated him to live his dream of being a police officer in his hometown — Chief Carl Jakubecy.

Continue reading Retro Fair Haven Police Chief, Mentor

Focus: Fair Haven Police Officers’ National Unity Tour Trek

Police officers from across the nation arrived in Washington D.C. at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial on bicycles last week and Fair Haven Police Patrolmen John Waltz and Dwayne Reevey and former Chief Darryl Breckenridge were riding with them.

It was the culmination of the annual Police Unity Tour to benefit the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.

Arriving on May 12 — after making the sponsored bicycle trek to D.C., each officer riding in honor of a fallen brother in blue — all gathered at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial for a candlelight vigil on May 13.

This year, $2,317,315 was raised to benefit the memorial fund, according to the website.

The memorial was dedicated in 1991 and has more than 20,000 names carved on it dating back to the late 1700s.

This year, Dedicated on October 15, 1991, the Memorial honors federal, state, and local law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the safety and protection of our nation and its people.

“We are not here because it is our duty. We are here because it is our honor,” NLEOMF President Craig Floyd said in a Facebook post.

— Elaine Van Develde

— Photos/courtesy of John Waltz, Ryan Reiff & Christina Reevey

Take a look at the photos above for a glimpse into the event. 

 

Focus: Swearing In Fair Haven’s New Police Chief

In a meeting room packed beyond capacity with officials, family, friends and colleagues from near and far, Joseph McGovern was sworn in as Fair Haven’s new police chief at Monday night’s Borough Council meeting.

The swearing-in, at what Mayor Ben Lucarelli called the shortest meeting in history, came nearly seven months after the retirement of former chief, Darryl Breckenridge, who was also in attendance.

McGovern, a near 30-year veteran of the force in Fair Haven, thanked everyone for their support, especially the officers with whom he has served for decades, and said he looked forward to keeping the department top-notch.

Take a look at the photos below for a glimpse into the swearing-in — before, during and after. Click on each to enlarge. 

Congratulations Chief McGovern!

 

— Elaine Van Develde

McGovern Named Fair Haven’s New Police Chief

By Elaine Van Develde

“You can call him chief, but he won’t actually be chief until April 25 when he’s sworn in,” Fair Haven Mayor Ben Lucarelli said referring to Acting Police Chief/Captain Joseph McGovern and  the borough’s official move at Monday’s Borough Council meeting to make him the next police chief.

Continue reading McGovern Named Fair Haven’s New Police Chief