West New York Police Youth Academy graduates 67 students
The West New York Police Youth Academy was established in July 2014 to teach the city’s children the skills to pursue a career in the military, police, fire department, emergency medical services, S.W.A.T team, and sheriff’s department. The youth academy provides the cadets with leadership skills, self confidence and pride, as well as respect for the laws and the role they play as citizens.
Students from grades 6, 7, and 8 write essays explaining their interest in law enforcement. A committee of five police officers then select the cadets with the best essays. Those selected are required to submit a report card showing they passed all of their subjects. This year 67 students attend the academy, along with a graduation ceremony on Monday, Aug. 8 at Public School 3.
The cadets took instruction on police procedures, including internet safety class, gang and drug awareness seminars, and team building exercises. They were taken to Newark Liberty International Airport to observe airport rescue and firefighting crews. The cadets also interacted with local police officers, firemen and emergency medical technicians, and were taught how to participate in a drilling ceremony and work with each other as a team to accomplish several goals.
This academy class was funded by contributions from the men and women of the West New York Police Department, the local residents, and business owners of West New York.
Hospice training course available
Do you want to do volunteer work that really makes a difference in the lives of the terminally ill and their families? Volunteer roles include companionship for patients, emotional support for patient and family, errands and telephone reassurance.
The Hudson Hospice Office, 93 Clerk St., Jersey City, is offering six free volunteer training classes on six consecutive Tuesdays, mornings from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. or evenings from 7 to 9 p.m. Classes begin Aug. 23 and end on Sept. 27 and you must commit to attend all six classes.
For further information, call Sister Carol at (201) 433-6225.
Nearly $6M to hire firefighters for five towns
Congressman Albio Sires and U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker announced recently that North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue is receiving $6 million in federal funding to hire full-time firefighters and help strengthen the department’s ability to effectively respond to local fire emergencies, protect high-risk populations and decrease firefighter injuries.
North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue will receive a $5,994,660 SAFER grant to hire or retain full time firefighters. NHR is New Jersey’s only regionalized fire department and serves the following municipalities: Guttenberg, North Bergen, Weehawken, West New York and Union City. Its 12.5 square-mile primary service area is the nation’s most densely-populated.
The SAFER program is designed to increase the number of frontline firefighters, enhancing the ability of grantees to attain and maintain 24-hour staffing and assuring that their communities have adequate protection from fire and fire-related hazards.
Schedule of upcoming free community health screenings
Throughout the year, HackensackUMC Palisades provides free health screenings and education programs. The New Jersey Hospital Association (NJHA) recognized HackensackUMC Palisades’ Community Outreach Program with its Community Outreach Award for its unique and effective methods of reaching out to better serve the healthcare needs of area residents.
Free screenings include blood pressure, heart rate, and percentage of oxygen in the blood, and certificates for mammography, prostate and HIV testing. Locations include North Bergen, Union City, West New York, and more.
For more information about health screenings, locations, and dates, please call Suleima Rosario-Diaz at 201-854-5793.
Impaired driving enforcement crackdown until Sept. 5
Hudson County Sheriff Frank Schillari announced that the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office will be participating in New Jersey’s largest annual drunk driving crackdown. Officers from Hudson County Sheriff’s Office will be participating in the 2016 Labor Day Statewide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign. Beginning Aug. 19 and running through Sept. 5, county, local and state law enforcement officers will conduct sobriety checkpoints and roving patrols, looking for motorists who may be driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
In 2014 alcohol-impaired fatalities accounted for 27 percent of New Jersey’s motor vehicle fatalities. As part of the initiative, the Division of Highway Traffic Safety provides grants to local law enforcement agencies throughout the state to run the two-week campaign. “Last year, 20 percent of the fatal crashes in Hudson County were alcohol related” Schillari said.
Sheriff Schillari offers advice like designate a driver, someone who will not drink alcohol, before going out, take mass transit, a taxi or ask a sober friend to drive you home, or spend the night where the activity is held.