Biker melee ends in four stabbings, gunshots fired
A post-Halloween party by the Lost Boyz, a motorcycle club based in North Bergen, erupted into violence at about 11:45 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7, leaving four people wounded with knives and at least 11 shots fired.
The occasion was an open party sponsored by the Lost Boyz on 85th Street and Mazzoni Place with members of other clubs including the Hell’s Angels, Thug Riders, Brick City Riders, Free Spirits, Hoboken Motorcycle Club, and Lowriders in attendance. Police were alerted after a fight apparently broke out. When officers arrived they found more than 100 members of different motorcycle clubs outside the clubhouse. Some were injured, while others had driven themselves to the hospital.
Due to the size of the crowd, additional police units were requested through mutual aid and police responded from the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office, as well as the Fairview, Cliffside, West New York, Guttenberg, Jersey City, and the New Jersey State Police.
Initial reports indicated that nine shots were fired, but a later canvass of the area turned up a total of eleven casings. No gunshot injuries were reported. Numerous knives were recovered, along with a handgun and a small amount of suspected crystal methamphetamine, according to reports. The wounded individuals were from the Hell’s Angels motorcycle club.
A multi-jurisdictional investigation is underway with the involvement of the Newark Real-time Crime Center run by the New Jersey State Police. North Bergen police indicated that they are amassing evidence and hope to make arrests very soon.
Four new recruits join the NBPD
Mayor Nicholas Sacco swore in four new police recruits on Nov. 10. Although the town budget initially called for only three hires, funds were made available for a fourth based on township need and the exemplary interviews from all four recruits. “It’s phenomenal that we keep increasing our numbers here while most townships are decreasing their numbers,” said Public Safety Commissioner Allen Pascual.
All four new recruits have backgrounds in law enforcement. Indira Cabrera, 28, and Daniel Rodriguez, 26, have both been corrections officers with the Hudson County Department of Corrections for three and a half years. Cabrera just began attending the Passaic County Police Academy while Rodriguez will be graduating from the Morris County Police Academy in a few weeks. Rodriguez was recently hired by the Hudson County Sheriff’s Department before joining the North Bergen police.
Eric Weyand, 25, worked as a special police officer and dispatcher with the Cliffside Park Police Department. He will be attending the Passaic County Police Academy beginning in January. Michael Whalen, 23, previously interned for the North Bergen Police Department while earning his bachelor’s degree from New Jersey City University.
“The township has really made a commitment to public safety,” said Police Chief Robert Dowd. “We continue to grow in number and diversity, and we continue to supply the township with the very best protection.”
14-year-old girl hit by school bus
A 14-year-old North Bergen girl was taken to Jersey City Medical Center after being hit by a school bus on Nov. 10. She suffered only minor abrasions and bruises to her legs and no serious injuries, according to police.
The girl was reportedly racing to catch her own school bus, which was heading north on Bergen Turnpike. She crossed in front of another school bus traveling south at 45th Street at about 7:30 a.m. There was no cross walk at the location and the driver didn’t see her, police said. No charges are likely to be filed against the driver.
Police and North Bergen EMS responded to the scene and transported her to the Jersey City Medical Center, where she was considered to be in stable condition.
Learn about pulmonary hypertension on Nov. 21
In honor of Pulmonary Hypertension month the North Bergen Free Public Library is hosting an information session on Saturday, Nov. 21 from 9 a.m. to noon. Come learn about this rare condition that is often misdiagnosed as asthma. The main library is located at 8411 Bergenline Ave. For more information call (201) 869-4715 or visit nbpl.org.
Santa Claus is coming to town on Dec. 13
Join the 16th Annual Santa Parade on Sunday, Dec. 13, presented by the firefighters and fire officers of North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue. The parade starts at noon on Bergenline Avenue from 85th Street to 32nd Street. This event is held in conjunction with the towns of North Bergen, Guttenberg, Union City, West New York, and Weehawken.
High Tech Business & Technology Club members offered business internships
High Tech’s Business & Technology Club recently invited Jay Savulich, managing director of programs at Rising Tide Capital of Jersey City, to share his business acumen with Dr. Syed Abbasi’s students and club members.
Technical education proves essential for business majors to succeed in today’s competitive business workplace, noted Savulich, who has visited Dr. Abbasi’s students numerous times in the past few years. He encouraged Dr. Abbasi’s students to take full advantage of the myriad internships available in the business world so that they could learn the ways to become successful entrepreneurs, and offered the High Tech business students internships at Rising Tide Capital.
“This was an informative presentation from which the business majors benefited tremendously,” said Abbasi, moderator for the club. “I’d like to thank Mr. Savulich for making this presentation and his generous offer to students for internships.”
Contribute to the Emergency Relief Thanksgiving Drive
The North Bergen Emergency Relief Program will host a Thanksgiving Drive for families in need throughout the township. They will collect items through Nov. 20 and distribute them on Tuesday, Nov. 24 at the North Bergen Recreation Center at 6300 Meadowview Ave.
Families or seniors in need of a meal this holiday season or anyone with questions should call Emergency Relief Coordinator Aimee Focaraccio at (201)392-0229 or email afocaraccio@northbergen.org . Proof of residency is required upon pick up.
Items needed include mashed potatoes, stuffing, canned vegetables, dessert mixes, and any other appropriate holiday staple item. No baked desserts. Items can be dropped off at any North Bergen schools or at the locations below.
– Town Hall (Chambers) or police department: 4233 Kennedy Blvd.
– Health Department: 1116 – 43rd St., 2nd fl.
– Parking Authority or courthouse: 4225 Bergen Turnpike
– Public Library: 8411 Bergenline Ave. or 2123 Kennedy Blvd.
See ‘Jurassic World’ for free on Nov. 20
The North Bergen Nutrition Center will host a free movie event featuring “Jurassic World” on Friday, Nov. 20 at 6:30 p.m. Admission and refreshments will be provided for free. All ages are welcome. The Nutrition Center is located at 1441 45th St.
Christopher Walinski art exhibit and reception at the library opens Nov. 22
The North Bergen Free Public Library will host a reception for the opening of an art exhibit on Sunday, Nov. 22 from 2 to 4 p.m., featuring local artist Christopher Walinski. The exhibition is titled “My Inner World.” The exhibit will run from Nov. 22 through Dec. 22. This is a free event. The main library is located at 8411 Bergenline Ave. For more information call (201) 869-4715 or visit nbpl.org.
Health workshop in Guttenberg is on Nov. 23
Mayor Gerald Drasheff and the Town Council of Guttenberg, in conjunction with Hudson County Department of Health and Human Services, will sponsor a State Health Assistance Programs (SHIP) workshop on Monday, Nov. 23 at the Guttenberg Municipal Building, 6808 Park Ave. (second floor), from 10 a.m. to noon.
Among other things, the workshop will deal with health program options, Medicare enrollment, Medicaid information, Part D prescription plans, and the Medicaid expansion program. The health program enrollment period is Oct. 15 to Dec. 7.
For more information call Marisol Montanez at (201) 868-2315 ext. 152.
Zumba postponed to Dec. 12
The Zumba class that was previously scheduled for Dec. 6 at the main library has been rescheduled to Saturday, Dec. 12 at 1:30 p.m.
The main library is located at 8411 Bergenline Ave. For more information call (201) 869-4715 or visit nbpl.org.
See ‘Toyland – A Christmas Story’ at the North Bergen Mini Theater in December
Mayor Nicholas Sacco and the North Bergen Players present “Toyland – A Christmas Story,” a play by Mario Rosenthal, at the North Bergen Mini Theater, 8411 Bergenline Ave., from Dec. 11 through 13. Showtime Friday and Saturday is 7:30 p.m., and Sunday is 6:30 p.m. General admission is $15. Refreshments included.
For more information or for tickets contact Maurena Luzzi at (201) 854-7074 or (201) 401-9722.
Free vaccine dates posted for adults
Upcoming dates for the Adult Free Vaccine Program have been posted on the North Bergen website (northbergen.org). The vaccines are sponsored by the public health department servicing Guttenberg, North Bergen, Secaucus, Union City, Weehawken, and West New York.
The goal is to provide free adult vaccines to residents in the service area who meet the listed requirements. The program will be one day per month per site. Residents who meet the listed requirements may visit other sites on their scheduled day/time.