Police seek driver who hit pedestrian

The Record
Sunday, March 1

RIDGEWOOD — Police were looking for a male driver who fled the scene of a hit-and-run accident that sent a 54-year-old woman to the hospital Saturday, Sgt. Glenn Ender said.

A car described as a brown or tan Toyota sedan struck the woman as she attempted to cross North Broad Street about 4 p.m., Ender said. She was not in a crosswalk, he said.

The victim, from West Nyack, N.Y., was thrown to the ground after rolling off the car. She was taken to The Valley Hospital with minor injuries to her hip and one of her hands, Ender said.

Police were looking for a sedan with New Jersey license plates and damage to the passenger side front-corner panel. It was last seen heading north on North Broad Street.

Anyone with information about the car’s whereabouts can reach police at 201-670-5519.

Readers says tickets @ Willard are "frivolous and unwarranted"

Tough time with the plea?? You actually think this guy deserves to plea. The tickets are frivolous and unwarranted and they should and most likely be thrown out. I have it on good record that the officer in question is being “looked into” by the Bergen County Prosecutor as a result of a “good number” of complaints from his past, also parents not just from Willard but also Travel have stepped up in light of this blog.

Unfortunately it is a double edged sword when someone steps up to an abusive police officer, because they can be tagged as being disrespectful to the authorities, which by his posting and his responses in this blog, I do not get that he is like that. To me it seems he is doing what is right on a paternal, moral and ethical level. I hold no doubt that once this gentleman steps into Judge Sheridan’s courtroom it will be clear to see what type of person he is and if he’s there on behalf of his ego or what is best for our community.

I will note this; although questionable, it seems this this blog is doing exactly what he wants it to do. It is exposing the truth and/or placing doubt on the level of the people. He does state that he admits to doing wrong but that does not give the officer the right to be a jerk. It’s easy to see that this blog has gotten the attention of local police personnel, and if you feel you have the right to treat people poorly than maybe you should think twice. It’s not like this gentleman was committing a violent crime. He shows NO malice towards any other officers so why is it that you all seem to think he is?

He felt he was treated poorly and it now seems that he was not alone, so maybe we should all take a step back and look at both sides before casting judgment on anyone.

This officer is a reflection of the Village of Ridgewood, and he should be able to write tickets as he feels fit, as long as it has just cause and is done in a professional and non-degrading manner. As for the father, he parked in a no parking zone. He got a ticket but the officer thought he was going to be wise and write him up for a violation that holds a larger fine. That in itself speaks loud enough to the judge that this officer thinks he is always entitled to be the smarter one no matter what. I had sat on the “bench” for 23 years and there are ALWAYS tell-tale signs that expose someone in authority that is abusing the powers bestowed upon them. Being a police officer is not a position that holds any place for being revengeful no matter what is said. There is a aspect of “reasonable cause” and this gentleman who parked his car in front of a school after dismissal to unload something, and in my opinion, his justification leans more on the side of the officer being a little more aggressive than needed.

Summons to parents picking up their children outside of Willard School

First I was very suspired when I got this email, this blogger has always found the Ridgewood Police to be very professional even under the most trying circumstances and even though from time to time this blog has taken issue with local authorities, I have never had any reason to believe that the Ridgewood Police did anything but a superb job of protecting and serving the community. Unlike some other towns the Village Police seem to have avoided resorting to the petty policing practices of so many other towns

I wanted to bring to your attention a questionable practice of a Ridgewood Police Officer (P.O.) that has been writing Summons to parents picking up their children outside of Willard School. Please understand that the parking at Willard is a mess and they had put up signs in front on Morningside that state no parking or standing, so there is some debate on the validity of him writing Summons but the problem is that the P.O. has been very rude and arguably stepping over the line of abuse of power.

He has been issuing Summons for petty violations such as obstruction of view for air fresheners and the like hanging from mirrors, or obstruction of license plates if someone has those plastic frames from the auto dealers around their plates. There has been several complaints made to the police department Captains and Chief about this officer and his unwarranted demeanor to the parents (mostly) mothers picking up their children. Case in point, I was there this past Friday dropping off my drums for the school play that evening and I had pulled in front after dropping off my instrument and pulled over and my son and daughter had entered my car. Well the P.O. came to the car was rude, and refused to listen to the fact that I was dropping off my instruments to volunteer to play for the school instead of them having to pay $400 for a hired musician. His response was “you can tell it to the Village Prosecutor” and walked away. Needless to say I was NOT happy by this and contacted James Tenhove with no avail (imagine that?).

In any event he wound up writing me 3 summons for “Improper pick up of passengers”, “obstruction of view” because of a 2 inch by 1 inch translucent glass cross on my rear view mirror and “obstruction of my plates” because of the dealer frame. As it turned out I had been approached later that evening at the school play by 3 mothers that had been ticketed by him and also received the additional bogus tickets along with the nasty and unprofessional attitude.

This level of frustration is compounded by the fact that it seems to be an everyday occurrence at Willard School that the P.O. singles out one or two cars of the many parked along the curb and basically treats them like garbage and issues frivolous tickets. As an attorney, I have researched this issue and have found a few flaws in the summons he has issued and have every intention of having them dismissed, however the people of Willard School are fed up of being, well simply put, harassed by the P.O. when, in all honesty all they are guilty of is watching out for their children’s safety by not making the kids have to cross Morningside in order to be picked up on Bedford. When in reality there is a “cut out” that allows for cars to park without interfering with the normal flow of traffic on Morningside.*editors note the Ridgewood blog has removed the officers name from the post.

Village officials lax in ordering enforcement of snow and ice removal ordinance?

The Fly has observed that many sidewalks in her neighborhood are still covered by ice and/or snow dumped during last Wednesday’s storm. Some of these sidewalks are designated as part of primary walking routes to and from nearby elementary and middle schools.

In neighboring Glen Rock, Police Chief Steven Cherry has directed his patrol officers and tour commanders note violations of that municipality’s snow and ice removal ordinance when making their rounds, and to issue written warnings or summonses on the spot.

The Fly wonders why a similar directive hasn’t been issued by newly appointed Ridgewood Police Chief John LiPuma. It would appear that warnings and summonses related to the Village’s snow and ice removal ordinance are issued only if a formal complaint is received. Is that any way to run a police department Chief LiPuma?

Let’s start cracking down on the property owners who make it difficult for children and adults to walk our sidewalks safely.

Thanks Chief.

§ 249-1. Snow and ice removal.

[Amended 7-8-1975 by Ord. No. 1582; 3-10-1987 by Ord. No. 2084; 11-9-1993 by Ord. No. 2435]

A. The owner of any land abutting upon the streets or public highways in the Village, if such land is owner-occupied or vacant, otherwise the tenant or occupant of such land situate in all zones of the Village of Ridgewood as shown on the 1990 Zoning Map, with the exception of the B-1, B-2, P and P-2 Zones of the Village, shall remove all snow and ice from the abutting sidewalks of such streets or highways within 24 hours after the same shall fall or be formed thereon. No snow or ice so removed, however, shall be deposited or placed in the street or highway in such a manner or location so as to impede the flow of traffic. For purposes of this section, such land shall be deemed owner-occupied if occupied by either the owner or owners of record or any agent, servant or employee thereof.

B. Owners, tenants and occupants of any land abutting the streets or highways of the Village situate in the B-1, B-2, P and P-2 Zones of the Village are subject to the following snow removal regulations. Special regulations are adopted for the business and office zones in order to maintain an attractive and safe environment in the business and professional office zones of the Village by assuring that the snow will be removed from the sidewalks in and around the central business district on a timely basis.

C. Snow is required to be removed in the B-1, B-2, P and P-2 Zone Districts from the sidewalks concurrently with its fall. To assure compliance with this section, more than one clearing may be required to keep the sidewalks as free of snow as is practical. The following specific regulations are hereby adopted. Snowfalls commencing during the evening, that is, after 6:00 p.m., will be cleared by no later than 9:00 a.m. the following morning, Sundays and holidays included. During weekday storms, Monday through Saturday, occurring during business hours, sidewalks shall be cleared to a five-foot minimum width to provide access from the storefront to the curb, between meters, if meters are installed. After 6:00 p.m. and on Sundays and holidays, sidewalks will be completely cleared into the street.

D. A court appearance will be required to answer any summons issued for a violation of this section occurring in the B-1, B-2, P and P-2 zones of the Village. A court appearance will be required to answer any summons issued for a second or subsequent violation of this section in all zones of the Village.

[Amended 7-11-1995 by Ord. No. 2533]