When representatives from the Guttenberg Police Department went up to receive an award at AAA North Jersey’s annual Community Traffic Safety Program awards banquet last month, it was noted that it was the 24th consecutive year that the township went without a single traffic fatality. The awards are given away each year to towns and cities that go the entire year without such a fatality. And Guttenberg was the only community in an urban area to receive the award – for 24 straight years. “We sat at the same table with officers from Harrison and Kearny and they were shocked that we could go so long without a serious accident,” said Lt. Joseph Gryzbowski, Guttenberg’s commander of patrol operations. “When you consider how much traffic we have on major thoroughfares going through town, it is pretty remarkable. We are very proud of it and I guess God was on our side.” Guttenberg Director of Public Safety Thomas Richards said that the award was a result of a total effort from the entire close-knit community. “It’s a direct reflection of the effort that the entire police department gives to pedestrian and vehicular safety,” Richards said. “There’s a complete awareness program that our department provides. We go to senior citizens and remind them how to be careful. The DARE officers in the schools address it to the youngsters.” Added Richards, “I’ve noticed that it’s a big part of what the officers stress, safety first, because we have such a densely populated area and we have roads with heavy traffic like Boulevard East, Bergenline Avenue and Kennedy Boulevard. When you take into consideration the traffic congestion we have, it is remarkable that we’ve been able to hold our own.” Gryzbowski said that the AAA was also helpful in maintaining safety in the township, bringing the popular “Otto the Auto” program to the schools, complete with the safety-conscious robot. “The AAA usually comes to town twice a year, and that’s been very helpful,” Gryzbowski said. “If they make an impression on the kids, then the kids take that information home with them to their parents. It’s a good tool to press on the message of safety.” No other township in North Jersey has as continual a record of success as Guttenberg. There are some Bergen County communities that have had 15 or so years, but not 24 consecutive years. “A lot of the people in the town know each other and know that we have a lot of children in the streets,” Gryzbowski said. “That could be another reason. I think we just had a lot of luck on our hands.” However, just two weeks after receiving the award, the streak came to an end. An elderly woman inadvertently stepped in front of a bus on Bergenline Ave, was struck by it and later died of the injuries. There were two other accidents with serious injuries to pedestrians since the award was accepted. “Unfortunately, we won’t be there to receive the award for a 25th year,” Richards said. “That’s just the luck of the draw.” “That’s why I believe there’s a lot of luck involved,” Gryzbowski said. “And we’ve had a string of bad luck recently. Luck did play a part.”
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