WNY police arrest two for alleged drug dealing
West New York Police recently arrested two alleged drug dealers operating out of their homes, according to published reports.
One man was arrested following a week-and-a-half long investigation during which officers allege that they made numerous buys from him. They obtained a warrant to raid his home near the corner of 62nd Street and Park Avenue.
Police reportedly recovered bags containing alleged marijuana, prescription Xanax pills and several bottles of a cutting agent commonly used with cocaine.
According to reports, the man’s wife and children were present during that raid, but the wife was not charged.
Another West New York man was reportedly arrested the following day on various drug charges after police recovered alleged marijuana, cocaine, and hypodermic needles from his home near 53rd Street and Palisade Avenue during another raid which was initiated thanks to a call to the West New York Police Department tip hotline.
West New York Police Director Albert Bringa has repeatedly touted the success of the hotline, which has yielded several arrests over the past few months for crimes related to drugs and prostitution.
Residents can call the hotline at (201) 295-5047 and report suspected crimes without leaving a name, address, or any personal information.
UC and WNY residents invited to ‘Night Out’
As part of the 27th Annual National Night Out, both Union City and West New York invite residents to take part in evenings of fun activities meant to strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships.
On Aug. 2, West New York will host a free night of food and entertainment at various times and locations in town. The events will take place in the courtyard of 5001-5101 Park Ave. at 3 p.m.; 430 62nd St. at 4 p.m.; 6100-6300 Adams St. at the rear of the building at 5 p.m.; 5800 Jefferson St. at 6 p.m., and 60th Street and River Road at 7 p.m.
Union City will participate in the annual nationwide event on Aug. 3 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. with events along New York Avenue between 22nd and 29th streets. There will be three stages with live music, boxing exhibitions by the Union City Boxing Club, a karate demonstration by the Union City Karate Program, a classic car exhibit, an art exhibit by the Union City Artist Collective, and a Union City History Table, as well as many activities for children. Free hot dogs and soda also will be provided.
The National Night Out is a unique crime/drug prevention event that involves citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials from over 15,000 communities from all 50 states.
Last year, over 36 million people participated in National Night Out, which is meant to send a message to criminals to let them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
Weekly UC theater festival continues with concert
The 8th Annual Union City Theatre Festival in the Park, organized by the city in conjunction with The Grace Theatre Workshop, Inc., continues on Aug. 5 with Patricio Batallas & Tempo D’Music.
Each Thursday, a different show (from comedy to jazz concerts) is presented at Ellsworth Park, located at New York Avenue and 24th Street, at 8 p.m. Admission is free and chairs are provided. Everyone is invited to attend.
Schools superintendents may face pay cap
As part of his 33-bill “tool kit,” Gov. Chris Christie is proposing a cap on salaries for superintendents of schools in New Jersey based on enrollment, which could affect almost every superintendent in Hudson County.
The proposal would establish a $175,000 cap for superintendents in districts with 3,001 to 10,000 students and a $150,000 cap for fewer. There would be no cap for superintendents of districts with more than 10,000 pupils.
The move would not affect Jersey City and Union City because Union City has just over 10,000 students and Jersey City has more than double that amount.
The move also would not immediately affect West New York, because new Superintendent John Fauta just received a five-year contract, and Christie’s proposal will affect any future contracts received, not current ones. Fauta’s contract is for $219,000 per year.
The superintendents of Guttenberg, Weehawken, and the Hudson County Schools of Technology would be held to the $150,000 cap, as those districts have fewer than 1,500 students.
According to published reports, Union City Superintendent of Schools Stanley Sanger currently earns roughly $222,000.
Volunteers sought to help foster care children
Hudson County CASA is currently recruiting volunteers to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children. CASA (court appointed special advocate) works through trained community volunteers to insure that needed services and assistance are made available to children while helping to move them toward safe and permanent homes.
CASA and its volunteers speak for children in court, serve as fact finders for the judges and safeguard the interests of the children while they are in the foster care system.
Information sessions regarding the program and the role of its volunteers will be held on Aug. 10 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Room 901 of the Hudson County Administration Building at 595 Newark Ave. in Jersey City.
Hudson County has over 750 children in foster care; most have been removed from their homes for abuse or neglect. For further information, please call (201) 795-9855, e-mail mveenhof@hudsoncountycasa.org or visit our website at www.hudsoncountycasa.org.