New Officers Sworn In and Two Promotions at BOT Meeting

By the SO Police Dept. and CPC

Seven new South Orange Police officers were sworn in, and two officers were promoted at the SO Board of Trustee’s Meeting on Monday, August 22nd. Village President Sheena Collum congratulated the group remotely and SO Police Chief Ernest Morello shared stories about each of the officers as they were introduced. The entire ceremony can be seen on the Village website at this link.

Officers Richard Lombardi and John Niedzinski were both promoted to lieutenants. Lombardi is a 2013 graduate of FIT and Niedzinski is a graduate of Penn State.

The seven patrol officers that were sworn in all have previous law enforcement experience and come from diverse backgrounds in other municipalities. They are Sean Walker, who grew up in Maplewood, John Espana, who is from Newark and Mexican-American descent, Jhonn Alvarado moved to Newark from Peru at age nine, Randy Romero is from the Dominican Republic, Joi Lapez, is working on her Master’s Degree and is the first officer from Puerto Rico, Ryan Naturale is from Livingston and Jonathan Plaza is also from Newark with years of experience.

As Chief Morillo noted in his remarks “Police are the community and the community are the police”. A photo of the individual officers accompanies this article.

Congrats to all!

Crossing Guards Needed – Pay Increased

by South Orange Police Dept.

SOPD currently has open school crossing guard positions and guess what, we’ve increased our starting pay to $23.00/hr! Join us, pass this along to someone who may be interested and of course, share to your social media & Facebook groups to help us spread the word!

The South Orange Police Department is looking for dependable adults to fill part time and per diem School Crossing Guard positions. Your duty would be to ensure the safety of children and other pedestrians as they cross the street before and after school. While wearing your safety vest, you will check for oncoming traffic, step into the road, and direct vehicles to come to a stop before instructing people to cross. Although this job requires minimal hours, you must be comfortable working outdoors in various types of weather. You will need your own vehicle, cell phone and meet other requirements. Our guards work approximately 10 hours per week, (2 hours per day, Mon-Fri) Starting pay is $23.00 per hour and all necessary equipment is provided. If interested, contact aacevedo@southorange.org for details.

National Night Out is Tuesday, August 2nd!

by South Orange Police Dept. and CPC

The South Orange Police Department, PBA Locals 12 and 12A and the Village of South Orange are inviting everyone to participate in National Night Out on Tuesday, August 2nd. The event will take place from 4 pm to 8 pm at Flood’s Hill in South Orange, followed by a movie screening. The Community Police Collaborative and other local organizations will have information tables for the public to obtain more information about their groups.

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. It also enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community, and provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.

Millions of neighbors take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities from all fifty states, U.S. territories and military bases worldwide on the first Tuesday in August (Texas and select areas celebrate on the first Tuesday in October). Neighborhoods host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and various other community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, exhibits and much, much more.

Across America, millions of neighbors take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities from all fifty states, U.S. territories and military bases worldwide on the first Tuesday in August (Texas and select areas celebrate on the first Tuesday in October). Neighborhoods can also host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and various other community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, exhibits and much, much more.

We hope that you will come out join us on this amazing National Night Out!

Dial “988” Mental Health Hotline is Up and Running

By the South Orange Police Dept., the CPC and CC&J

People experiencing a mental health crisis now have a new way to reach out for help in the U.S. as of July 16, 2022: they can simply call or text the numbers 9-8-8.

The South Orange Police, Community Care & Justice, the CPC and the Village of South Orange encourage residents to utilize this hotline and spread the word.

Modeled after 911, the new three-digit 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has been designed to be a memorable and quick number for people who are suicidal or are having any kind of mental health crisis and connects them with a trained mental health professional.

Xavier Becerra, the Secretary of the federal Department of Health and Human Services spoke at a recent press briefing. “If you are willing to turn to someone in your moment of crisis, 988 will be there,” he said. “988 won’t be a busy signal, and 988 won’t put you on hold. You will get help.”

The Biden administration has invested more than $400 million into beefing up crisis centers and other mental health services to support the 988 system. The primary goal of the new number is to make it easier for people to call for help. Lawmakers and mental health advocates also see this launch as an opportunity to transform the mental health care system and make care easily accessible everywhere in the United States.

Save the Date – National Night Out is August 2nd!

by South Orange Police Dept. and CPC

The South Orange Police Department and the Village of South Orange are excited to announce that they will be participating in National Night Out on Tuesday, August 2nd.

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. It also enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community, and provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.

Millions of neighbors take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities from all fifty states, U.S. territories and military bases worldwide on the first Tuesday in August (Texas and select areas celebrate on the first Tuesday in October). Neighborhoods host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and various other community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, exhibits and much, much more.

Across America, millions of neighbors take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities from all fifty states, U.S. territories and military bases worldwide on the first Tuesday in August (Texas and select areas celebrate on the first Tuesday in October). Neighborhoods can also host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and various other community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, exhibits and much, much more.

We hope that you will join us on this amazing night!

Join the Community Police Collaborative (CPC)

The South Orange Community Police Collaborative (CPC) is currently seeking three new members. The CPC was created as an official Village committee in 2019, with a mission to advise the Township of South Orange Village Board of Trustees regarding its oversight of the Village Police Department. South Orange residents are invited to apply for one of the following positions:

•  One adult from our community to serve as Committee Member

•  One adult from our community to serve as Alternate Committee Member

•  One youth (16-21) from our community to serve as Youth Representative

As an adult or youth Committee Member or Alternate, you will be asked to:

•  Attend monthly meetings, which take place on the second Thursday of each month from 7:30 to 9 pm.

•  Attend live events when possible as a representative of the CPC.

•  Collaborate with members of the SO Police Department to increase communication, transparency and goodwill within our community.

•  Share your point of view and give feedback on information that comes before the committee.

•  Vote on various actions taken by the Committee.

•  Help develop best practices to address community concerns about policing.

•  Help create programs and activities to foster engagement between the community and the police department.

•  Help share the CPC’s knowledge and information with the wider South Orange Community.

If you are interested in joining our Village Committee, please send an email with your contact information to: cpcquestions@southorange.org

Community Forum on Safety and Policing is June 13th!

By the CPC

The Community Coalition on Race will be holding a Zoom Webinar on Safety and Policing on Monday, June 13th at 7:30 pm and all are welcome to attend. Attendees should Register Here in advance.

At this community forum you will get the facts on local and regional crime, learn what our community can do to be safe and welcoming, and learn what is helpful and what is not helpful, among many other topics.

The panel itself will include:

  • Maplewood Community Board on Police co-chair Ayoola Akinnuoye
  • South Orange Community Police Collaborative chair Stephanie Lawson-Muhammad
  • South Orange Police Department
  • Maplewood Police Chief James DeVaul
  • Dr. Alexis Karteron
  • Dr. Sara Wakefield

We hope that you will take the time to register and attend. Click on the graphic below to register!

Body Worn Cameras Now Being Used by SO Police

By the CPC and SO Police Dept.

The South Orange Police Department has announced that it has deployed body-worn video cameras on their police officers.

The cameras will be used as per the South Orange Police Department Body-Worn Camera Policy which is in accordance with guidelines established by the New Jersey Attorney General and directives issued by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office. (see link below)

According to the NJ OAG BWC Directive, a body worn camera (“BWC”) “is a device worn by a law enforcement officer that makes an electronic audio and video recording of activities that take place during any law enforcement action. The term does not include a mobile video recording device when mounted inside a police vehicle (i.e., a dash cam). The term also does not include any form of electronic recording device worn by a law enforcement officer while acting in an undercover capacity … BWC footage provides objective evidence of what occurred and plays a crucial role in the public discourse around police accountability. BWCs also serve as a powerful deterrent to misconduct by both the police and members of the public interacting with police. As such, BWCs have gained wide support among public and law enforcement, alike. The policies and standards established in this Policy are designed to help police departments achieve an optimal balance between potentially competing interests.”

All uniformed police officers assigned to the SOPD Patrol Division will be utilizing these cameras to increase the quality of interactions with our community and to more accurately capture encounters. 

Officers will announce the use of the cameras, when appropriate, which will be visibly attached to the exterior of their police uniform. These cameras (see photo with this article) are worn by SOPD Officers on the front/center of their uniform shirt.

For more information on the NJ Attorney General Directive governing body-worn camera use, click here: NJ OAG BWC Directive

Save the Date! National Night Out is August 2nd

By the CPC and SO Police Dept.

The Township of South Orange Village, the SO Police Department and the Community Police Collaborative are excited to ask everyone to Save the Date of Tuesday, August 2nd, 2022, when we will celebrate National Night Out along with communities across the state and country. Stay tuned for more information about the festivities that will be taking place!

Here’s some info from the National Night Out website (www.natw.org):

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. It also enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. In addition, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.

Millions of neighbors take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities from all fifty states, U.S. territories and military bases worldwide on the first Tuesday in August (Texas and select areas celebrate on the first Tuesday in October). Neighborhoods host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and various other community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, exhibits and much, much more.

So … mark your calendars and get ready for a night to remember!

SOPD Renews Police Hiring – Applications Available

By SO Police Dept.

HOW TO APPLY

The South Orange Police Department has renewed hiring police officers and is accepting applications at their headquarters. If you would like to apply, please respond to South Orange Police Headquarters located at 201 South Orange Avenue South Orange, New Jersey with a printed cover letter and updated resume and speak to a Detective and/or the Tour Commander to pick up an application.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

  1. Must be a resident of the State of New Jersey during the term of appointment;
  2. Must be at least 18 years of age and no more than 65 years of age;
  3. Must be able read, write and speak the English language well and intelligently and have a high school diploma or its equivalent;
  4. Must be sound in body and of good health and be able to perform the physical functions of the duties assigned;
  5. Must be of good moral character and shall not have been convicted of any crime or offense involving moral turpitude;
  6. Must possess a valid New Jersey driver’s license
  7. Must possess NJ Police Training Commission Certification
  8. Never have been a member of any party or group or organization advocating the overthrow of the government of the United States, or any sate thereof.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

May include but is not limited to the following:

  1. Protect life, private and public property
  2. Prepare and present detailed written reports and cases for prosecutions and/or investigations of criminal, civil, and traffic offenses.
  3. Communicate effectively with the public, other agencies, in court and other formal settings
  4. Ability and willingness to work a variety of shifts of up to twelve hours duration or longer, including nights, weekends, and legal holidays.
  5. Read and comprehend legal and non-legal documents, including the preparation and processing of such documents as citations, affidavits and warrants.
  6. Have a prerequisite level of computer knowledge and familiarity in order to perform computer inquiries and type reports on computer system.
  7. Ability and willingness to lead others in solving community problems, facilitating discussion, and negotiating solutions.
  8. Endure verbal and mental abuse when confronted with hostile views and opinions of suspects and others encountered in an antagonistic environment.
  9. Stop traffic violators and take appropriate action, identify suspicious individuals and investigate their activities.
  10. Be able to safely operate a motor vehicle often under adverse conditions.
  11. Apprehend violators or offenders of the law, sometimes involving substantial elements of personal danger. In instances where lawful arrests are resisted, the officer must be prepared and able at times, through high levels of physical exertion, to protect citizens, themselves, fellow officers, and overcome the resistance

The SOPD welcomes all qualified applicants and encourages those who are interested to find out more information at the SOPD headquarters, 201 South Orange Avenue South Orange, New Jersey.