Hoboken police nab alleged serial burglar
After a spike in residential robberies in the last few weeks in Hoboken, police say they may have gotten their man.
Police arrested Fernando Rosario, 35, of Hoboken, and they say he confessed to committing nine recent burglaries, which “caused an immediate rise in the crime rate,” they say.
Rosario was picked up by the department’s Tactical Task Force on April 6 while they patrolled a “high drug trafficking area.”
Rosario was observed allegedly trespassing on Hoboken Housing Authority property, and then was stopped and placed under arrest. Police allege that Rosario had three bags of heroin on him as well as burglar tools and two expensive electronic devices. Cops say Rosario agreed to speak with detectives regarding recent unresolved residential burglaries.
Rosario was ultimately charged with nine counts of burglary, possession of burglar tools, theft of property, as well as criminal attempted burglary and possession of heroin, according to a police statement.
“The Tactical Task Force was implemented by Chief Anthony P. Falco and is comprised of plainclothes officers and supervisors who patrol high crime areas. After reviewing statistics of recently reported crimes, Chief Falco increased the number of officers assigned to the Task Force and redeployed them accordingly,” according to a Police Department release.
Popular theater director resigns, citing ‘harassment’
This week, Paula Ohaus, who has led HHS’s award-winning theater program for 15 years, resigned, citing alleged “harassment” during the tenure of the recently departed superintendent. However, the district’s new superintendent said “the show must go on.”
One school board member blamed a rival political faction of the school board for her leaving, and is urging people to come to the school board meeting this coming Tuesday at 7 p.m. and show support for her.
Meanwhile, new Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Toback posted a letter on the district’s website.
He wrote: “During my first few weeks in Hoboken, I have been very impressed with so many aspects of the school district and the community. One example is having the chance to witness the quality of the Hoboken High School production of Hairspray. Mrs. Ohaus has worked to build the theatre program at Hoboken High School and the district is grateful for her years of dedicated service. Her resignation this week has created a void that must be filled because the ‘show must go on.’ I assure you that we will make every effort to continue the theatre program.”
The School Board will meet on Tuesday, April 12, at 7 p.m. at the Hoboken Board of Education meeting room, 1115 Clinton St.
Hoboken NAACP expresses ‘concern’ over handling of parking director incident
The Hoboken Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) wrote Mayor Dawn Zimmer, in a letter dated April 4 and received by the Reporter on Friday, to “express its concern” over the administration’s handling of an alleged incident on March 24 and the subsequent arrest of Hoboken Parking and Transportation Director Ian Sacs and city employee Bill Laney.
Two sides of the story have emerged, but according to a police report, a vacant, city-run Hop shuttle was found by Sacs on the side of the road with the keys in it, so Sacs decided to drive it back to the city’s municipal garage. Laney was the driver of the bus, and alleges Sacs harassed him and took his personal keys and refused to give them back. The bus keys were attached to Laney’s personal keys, which Sacs allegedly took, according to police. Laney said in the report that he was helping his wife and infant child get into their personal car. Then, a confrontation occurred at City Hall that resulted in counter complaints and the arrest of both men.
“After reviewing the report by the Hoboken Police Department, it is clear that there are two versions of the events that transpired on March 24 which led to the arrest of Mr. Ian Sacs,” according to a letter from Eugene Drayton, President of the NAACP and William Ayala, chair of the legal redress committee.
Zimmer has called for a third party investigation into the incident that saw Sacs arrested for harassment and theft of property, and Laney arrested for simple assault.
The organization says they are concerned by reports that the administration handled the incident “in a manner that is prejudicial against Mr. Laney and could serve to violate his Civil Rights.”
The letter states that a city attorney advised Sacs and not Laney. The letter also says Sacs received “preferential treatment” at the Police Department after the city got involved.
“We note that Mr. Laney has a pending lawsuit against the city of Hoboken that predates the events of March 24,” the letter states. The letter finishes by saying the Hoboken NAACP “will monitor this situation for violations of Mr. Laney’s civil rights.”
A disappointed Quigley won’t run to represent 33rd District
Assemblywoman Joan Quigley announced that she will not seek reelection in the upcoming primary and general election after redistricting has shifted her Jersey City location from the 32nd district into the 33rd, which includes Hoboken, Union City, part of Jersey City, Guttenberg, and Weehawken.
“It is with disappointment and a bit of relief that I tell you I will not seek the Assembly seat in District 33, Hudson County,” she said in a statement. “Disappointment because I greatly enjoyed serving my constituents and think I did that well, but the Party Leaders of District 33 have selected another candidate. Relief because while I once thought I had all the answers, I have learned that no one does and I find the questions are getting tougher.”
Quigley said she harbors no bitterness about the outcome.
“I wish the new candidate not only success but also joy in its pursuit. During the 18 years I represented District 32 in the New Jersey Legislature, I had the great good fortune of working with the incomparable Senator Nicholas Sacco, who has been my ally, mentor and friend since the day we met, and with two excellent legislative partners Vincent Prieto and the late Tony Impreveduto. I’ve worked with many wonderfully dedicated public servants and a few possibly not as dedicated as they seemed. I was able to help many people and I’ve met quite a few real characters. All of them will live forever in my memory – and maybe someday in a book. It was a wild ride in a rough arena, and I enjoyed every minute of it!”
Hudson School grad returns for reading of her collection of oral histories
Zoe West, a Hudson School graduate, Hoboken native, and oral historian, will return to the Hudson School, 601 Park Ave., on April 14 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. to read from her new collection of oral histories, “Nowhere To Be Home: Narratives from Survivors of Burma’s Military Regime.”
West has lived and worked extensively in Southeast Asia, Europe, and Central America. West is currently a graduate student at Oxford University, and she co-edited “Nowhere To Be Home” with fellow writer and human rights activist, Maggie Lemere.
An excerpt from their work is available at http://voiceofwitness.org/burma.
The book, in their own words, presents the experiences of former political prisoners and refugees from Burma, revealing the human toll exacted by political repression, forced labor, sexual violence, displacement, environmental degradation, the drug trade and HIV/AIDS.
Admission is $7 for THS family members and $10 for the general public. All proceeds benefit The Hudson School.
‘Hey Tiger’ to perform at Village Pourhouse on April 16; fundraiser benefits schools in developing countries
Hey Tiger, which opened for Bon Jovi in 2006, will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. on April 16 at the Village Pourhouse (205 First St.) at a fundraiser for Pencils of Promise (PoP). PoP, a non-profit, builds schools for children in developing countries. Tickets must be reserved in advance.
All tickets include food and a raffle ticket. Ticket prices are as follows: $20 for food; $40 for food and drink specials. Guests must e-mail Julie at julesbern@hotmail.com to reserve a ticket, and will receive a confirmation e-mail.
The band Hello Radio will also perform at the PoP fundraiser. In addition, there will be a 50/50 and raffle drawings with prizes from popular Hoboken and Jersey City shops and restaurants, including Madame Claude Café, Bar Majestic, Ultimate Nail Care, Michael Anthony’s, Skinner’s Loft, Rita’s Water Ice, Lepore’s Chocolates, Pomme Frites, Delenio, The Quays and Clam Broth House.