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From Rumson police …
Got drugs? You can drop them off at the Rumson Police Department on Saturday.
The department is taking part in the federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the 80 East River Road police headquarters.
People can drop off unwanted or expired prescription and over-the-counter pills and patches.
Liquids and/or sharp objects, such as needles, will not be accepted.
An edited release from Rumson police …
Rumson police are alerting residents to lock their vehicles after reporting the theft of a “high-end motor vehicle” from Holly Tree Lane sometime overnight on Monday.
Police did not specify in the release whether or not the stolen vehicle was unlocked.
However, in light of past car thefts that involved unlocked high-end vehicles in the area, they urged that “residents to keep valuables and keys out of their vehicles and lock them at all times,” the release posted on Facebook said. “Please share and spread the word.”
Police ask that anyone witnessing suspicious activity call the department at 732-842-0500 or dial 9-1-1.
By Elaine Van Develde
“Because he’s one of our own, it’s even more special.”
That’s what Fair Haven Police Chief Darryl Breckenridge told a packed audience at Borough Hall Monday night about Fair Haven native Brooks Robinson just before he was sworn in as a patrolman in the borough’s Police Department.
A 2006 Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School graduate, Robinson was brought into the department in 2012 as a Special Law Enforcement Officer Class I and more recently was promoted to a Class II.
He studied at Brookdale Community College and received his bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University.
But, for the chief, the honor in promoting Robinson was more a Fair Haven family affair.
Welcoming the Fair Haven Robinson family and the family, and extended family of his wife, Alyssa Pecyno Robinson, also a 2006 RFH graduate, he talked a little bit about why.
“To me, it’s a great honor to be able bring someone aboard on a full-time basis here in Fair Haven who actually went through the school system here, went to the high school and is a part of the town,” he said. “Brooks is going to be a tremendous asset to the department.”
Bringing out the bible, that he noted has been in the Fair Haven family for many years and was donated to the borough by Hap Williams for swearing-ins, Mayor Lucarelli administered the oath to Robinson, Alyssa holding the bible.
” … And that I will faithfully, impartially and justly perform the duties of patrolman according to the best of my ability, so help me God … Congratulations.”
Applause.
Congratulations, Patrolman Brooks Robinson!
They call it Firemen’s Night.
It’s the night of the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair when firemen, first aid squad members, police officers — really, all first responders — from all around the country are welcomed to the fair to join their brothers and sisters, honor one another, be treated to some food and drink and just get together and have a good time.
That night was — always is — Wednesday. Tradition. The fair grounds were packed with the people who show up when you dial 9-1-1.
This year, responders showed up from as near as Rumson to as far as Alexandria, VA. True story.
Also on the grounds were reps from: Tinton Falls, Middletown, Shrewsbury, Morganville, Sea Bright, Eatontown, Manalapan, Colts Neck, Ramtown, Freehold (East, Borough and Township), Englishtown, Long Branch, Allenhurst, Brielle and Holmdel.
Oh, and milling around giving thanks to the firemen, showing support for his Fair Haven neighbors and enjoying the festivities with wife Lolly was Rumson Mayor John Ekdahl.
Take a look at the above slideshow for a glimpse into the evening of tradition and thanks. (Don’t forget to click on the lower right icon to enlarge!)
Have you thanked a first responder today?
— Elaine Van Develde
“It was a great time,” Rumson Police Chief Scott Paterson told Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect on Monday, chatting a little about the weekend’s ninth annual Rumson PBA Crab Tournament.
A local guy, he said, won. That guy — along with his boatload of crabbers — was Captain Don Schneider with a bucket full of 50 crabs.
The chief and several other crabbers were already out in crabbing waters by the time Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect arrived, but some sights were caught.
If you haven’t already seen it, check out the above slideshow of the scene around. And thanks to the Rumson PBA Facebook page for the pic of the winning crew! Congrats, Captain Schneider!
By Elaine Van Develde
The smile is the same. The stripes on the uniform are different.
On the heels of Fair Haven Police Chief Darryl Breckenridge’s announcement of retirement, longtime Fair Haven police officer Joseph McGovern was promoted from lieutenant to captain at Monday night’s Borough Council meeting.
The promotion is a significant one in light of the fact that while the police department’s staffing model hierarchy allows for a captain in the department the position has not been filled since retired Captain Paul McCue was on the force several years ago.
Caught readying himself to get to the meeting outside the police station, McGovern gave Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect his signature smile and a wave, for which he is known throughout town, as he gussied himself up, hopped in his SUV and headed a couple blocks over.
He was met with a packed meeting room full of beaming, congratulatory officials, neighboring police and chiefs, family and friends.
Welcoming all, Chief Breckenridge pointed out that “when you rise to the level of captain, it shows when you see the network of support from (police in) surrounding towns …” Among those in that support network were Rumson Police Chief Scott Paterson and Red Bank Police Chief Darren McConnell, both Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School graduates.
First thanking the officers of the department for their “continued dedication” and saying “you guys do an excellent job, and I couldn’t be more proud,” Breckenridge singled out McGovern’s family and told them, “you should be very proud of Joe. He worked very hard to get where he is going tonight … I’m sure Joe’s going to do a terrific job.”
McGovern’s journey to the captain’s position has been a long, hard-earned, diligent one, the chief said, starting nearly 30 years ago.
He recounted it. McGovern started in the department in 1987 as a dispatcher. In 1989, he became a special officer. In 1991, he became a probationary patrolman, then detective and OEM coordinator, which he still is.
In 2006, McGovern became a sergeant. And in 2008, he rose to the rank of lieutenant. Now he’s a captain. He has also earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and attended the prestigious FBI Academy.
“Joe has worked very hard with his promotional process, doing the right thing and doing his job,” Breckenridge said. “I am so proud and happy to stand here before you and congratulate you first, captain.”
With a smile, his wife holding the bible and two boys by his side, Mayor Ben Lucarelli administered the oath of office to McGovern.
With a modest smile and a simple “thank you” to “everyone for coming out,” McGovern said, “It’s been a long process and it’s finally here.”
Five stripes. Same smile. Same dedication.
McGovern will serve as acting chief as of Oct. 1, the official start day of Breckenridge’s retirement. Sgt. Robert Townshend is slated for a promotion to lieutenant. The new chief has not yet been chosen.
“Good luck out there!” a man shouted as he waved to crabbers launching their boat into the water, all set with a plethora of fishing-appropriate nets, cages and buckets.
Saturday evening was looking pretty mellow as a few more boats hit the waters of the river by the Rumson Municipal Boat Launch for the PBA Crab Tournament.
The tournament was slated to last until 10 p.m. By about 6:30, about half an hour after the tournament’s official start, only a couple of boatfulls of crabbers could be spotted near the launch.
Take a look at the above slideshow for a glimpse into the evening’s event and the scene around it (Don’t forget to click on the lower right icon to enlarge!). The Rumson PBA has not yet reported who won. As soon as that information is shared, it will be added.
Police have announced that there will be a sobriety/DWI checkpoint in Monmouth Beach from Saturday night to early Sunday morning.
From 10 p.m. Saturday night until 2 a.m. on Sunday, the Monmouth Beach police and members of the Monmouth County DWI Task Force will be pulling drivers over from southbound lanes on Ocean Avenue into the Monmouth Beach Cultural Center parking lot to test those suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs for sobriety, according to Task Force Coordinator and Brielle Police Chief Michael Palmer said.
Rumson police reported the following criminal incidents for the month of July:
• Sgt. Ronald Vilardi on July 9 took a report of the theft of an I-pod valued at $199, from an East River Road resident.
• Special Officer Shannon McCurdy on July 10 took a report of vandalism to a vehicle in the area of Blackpoint Road and Rosalie Avenue. The complainant advised that the the rear window of his vehicle had been broken overnight.
• Sgt. Peter Koenig on July 16 took a report of a fraudulent tax return filed to the IRS using the personal information of a Bruce Place resident. The incident will be forwarded to the IRS fraud department.
• Patrolman Richard Torres on July 29 took a report of the theft of a set of golf clubs from the front of an Island Road home. Total loss approximately $1,500.
• Patrolman Richard Torres on July 31 took a report of vandalism to numerous mailboxes on Warren Street.
• Special Officer Michael Berger on July 31 took a report for a theft from a parked vehicle in the area of 41 Bellevue Avenue. The victim advised that his wallet and briefcase were taken from his unlocked vehicle. Subsequent use of the victim’s credit cards in Irvington were referred to the detective bureau.
The following arrests were made and reported in the month of July by Rumson police. An arrest does not constitute a conviction.
• Patrolman Anthony Ciambrone on July 1 arrested Sayyied Rida, 36, of Red Bank, on a warrant issued by Detective Christopher Isherwood for theft by deception with a loss of $2,140.
Rida was released on bail of $2500 with a 10 percent option, set by Judge Richard Thompson.
• Sgt. Ronald Vilardi on July 3 arrested Michelle Waldron, 39, of Fair Haven on a contempt of court charge.
Waldron was released after posting $1000 bail, set by the Fair Haven Municipal Court.
• Patrolman Daniel Campanella and Special Officer Michael Berger arrested two juveniles on July 4 in the area of Blackpoint Road and Navesink Avenue and charged them with disorderly conduct and maintaining a nuisance, after observing approximately 100 juveniles leaving a party.
The matters were referred to the juvenile division.
• Capt. Jeff Nixon arrested Michael Gambino, 32, of Highlands on July 6 on two contempt of court warrants out of Little Silver ($216) and Tinton Falls ($751).
Gambino was released after posting full bail.
• Special Officer Grace Maggiulli arrested a male juvenile on July 9 in the area of Ridge Road and Center Street and charged him with disorderly conduct and minor in possession of alcohol.
The subject was released to a parent and referred to the juvenile division.
• Patrolman Anthony Ciambrone arrested Connor Carroll, 19, of Tappan NY on July 11 in the area of North Ward Avenue and charged him with possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana and disorderly conduct.
Carroll was released pending court.
• Special Officer Michael Berger arrested Jose Valentin III, 31, of Egg Harbor City on July 13 in the area of 22 West River Road for the theft of approximately $12,895 from his employer.
Valentin was released after posting $25,000 bail set by Judge Alfred D’Auria.
• Patrolman Anthony Ciambrone and Detective Christopher Isherwood arrested Phillip Sturner, 30, of Rumson, and Christopher Sutphen, 19, of Monmouth Beach, on July 17 and charged them with robbery, simple assault and theft of services.
Sturner was transported to MCCI in lieu of $100,000 bail.
Sutphen was transported to MCCI in lieu of $50,000 bail.
• Patrolman Daniel Campanella and Detective Christopher Isherwood arrested Phillip Sturner, 30, of Rumson, on July 17 and charged him with aggravated assault, simple assault, and false imprisonment stemming from an investigation of two assaults that took place at an East River Road home on July 5.
Sturner was transported to MCCI in lieu of $50,000 bail, set by Judge Honora Kilgallen J.S.C.
• Patrolman Cody Lovgren arrested Paul Seyffart Jr., 20, of South Plainfield, on July 19 and charged him with driving under the influence (DUI) after he struck a parked vehicle on Maplewood Avenue.
Seyffart was released pending court.
The following recent arrests were made and reported by Middletown police. An arrest does not constitute a conviction.
• Christopher Gallagher, 42, of East End Avenue in the Belford section of Middletown, was arrested on July 27 by Detective Keith Hirschbein and charged with driving while suspended under a conviction for driving while intoxicated.
He was held on $25,000 bail, set by Judge Richard Thompson.
• Anthony Maturo, 22, of Middlewood Road in Middletown, was arrested on July 30 by Patrolman Raymond Sofield and charged with obtaining a prescription by fraud and possession of hypodermic syringes.
He was released pending a court date.
Continue reading Area Man Arrested on Aggravated Assault, Weapons Charges; $30K Bail
Fair Haven police and emergency responders were focused on the local side of National Night Out Tuesday and the close-up view was one that honed in on community unity.
It was a goal achieved at the borough’s 13th Night Out — police and residents, young and old, getting to know one another, the public seeing that inside view of protecting and serving.
Take a look at the above slideshow for a glimpse into the evening. (Don’t forget to click the lower right icon for a full screen view.) Enjoy!
And thanks to the Fair Haven Police Department and emergency responders!
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