Traffic at Township of Washington Police Department

RESULTS OF THE 27^TH ANNUAL TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON POLICE DEPARTMENT’S TRAFFIC SAFETY POSTER CONTEST

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Press Release by F/Sgt. Hackbarth – 2/12/08

Photographs and Photo Editing by Det. Calamari

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     On Thursday, January 10, 2008, the 27^th Annual Township of Washington Police Department’s Traffic Safety Poster Contest (TSPC) ceremony was held at V.F.W. Post 6192 in the Township of Washington. Seventy-six students were awarded US Savings Bonds. A total of $10,100 in US Savings Bonds was distributed to the award winning artists from the Jessie George, Washington and Brookside Schools. A total of 621 students from the three schools participated in this year's program. The traffic safety themes for this year's TSPC were as follows:

For Kindergarten through Second Grade:

"Pedestrian and Child Passenger Safety"

For Third Grade Through Fifth Grade:

"Getting To School Safely"

For Sixth Grade:

"How To Be A Good Passenger"

     This year's TSPC had six $600 US Saving Bond Grand Prize Winners for best poster per grade grouping, twelve $300 Bond winners for best poster per grade per school and fifty-eight $50 Bond winners. The $600 Grand Prize winning posters were drawn by the following students (their posters are displayed below as are the posters for best poster per grade per school):

       Ava A. – First Grade Washington School

           Carly M. – Second Grade – George School

              Kara N. – Third Grade – Washington School

       Tom S. – Fourth Grade – George School

               Anthony S. – Fifth Grade – Brookside School

           Ryan L. – Sixth Grade – Brookside School

GRAND PRIZE WINNING POSTERS - $600 BOND

Ava A. - First Grade Washington School

Carly M. - Second Grade George School

Kara N. - Third Grade Washington School

Tom S. - Fourth Grade George School

Anthony S. - Fifth Grade Brookside School

  Ryan L. - Sixth Grade Brookside School

BEST POSTERS PER GRADE PER SCHOOL - $300 BONDS

Kindergarten

Timothy K. - George School / Lindsey S. - Washington School

First Grade

Cassandra M. - George School / Olivia P. - Washington School

Second Grade

Juliette B. - George School / Lucas S. - Washington School

Third Grade

Alexa B. - George School / Jenny H. - Washington School

Fourth Grade

Alessandra F. - George School / Victoria M. - Washington School

Fifth and Sixth Grade Brookside School

Fifth - Hagen B.

Sixth - Nile T.

All 621 posters entered into Township of Washington Police Department's Traffic Safety Poster Contest have been submitted to AAA for entry into AAA's State Traffic Safety Poster Program and their 63^rdNational School Traffic Safety Poster Program

     Our goal is to educate the children of this community about traffic safety. We hope to develop life long safety habits at an early age.

     The following businesses, civic organizations, emergency services and private citizens sponsored the $10,100 in US savings Bonds for this year's TSPC:

Grand Prize Sponsors (six $600 Bonds)

The Robert Schroeder Family (5 Bonds)

Oritani Savings Bank (1 Bond)

Best Poster Per Grade Per School (twelve $300 Bonds)

Peter Hywel Plumbing & heating – 3 Bonds

Stone Mill Gardens – 2 Bonds

The Bovino Companies – 1 Bond

The Bovino Companies cosponsoring with

Bacari Grill – 1 Bond

J.C. Landscape Contractors – 1 Bond

J.C. Landscape Contractors cosponsoring with

Door-To-Door Cleaners – 1 Bond

Rich's Automotive Specialists cosponsoring with

Peter Hywel Pluming and Heating – 1 Bond

Heflich Electric cosponsoring with

Mr. Neil Mandano – 1 Bond

Ken Smith Lincoln-Mercury cosponsoring with

Bergen Brookside Towing – 1 Bond

Two or More $50 Bond Sponsors

Pascack Valley PBA Local 208 - 8 Bonds

Bush Distributing – 4 Bonds

Devine Realty Consultants – 4 Bonds

Helen Bohn Bridals – 4 Bonds

Thomas Heffernan Painting – 4 Bonds

Knights of Columbus Council #5427 – Township of Washington – 4 Bonds

Paragon Federal Credit Union – 4 Bonds

Star-Lo Electric, Inc. – 4 Bonds

Township of Washington Volunteer Fire Department – 4 Bonds

Township of Washington Police Department – 4 Bonds

Contemporary Woman's Club of Washington Township – 2 Bonds

Dr. Ruth Salkin – 2 Bonds

Council Person Janet Sobkowicz – 2 Bonds

$50 Bond Sponsors

Ambition Dance Academy

Bergen County YJCC – Township of Washington

The Bloch Family

Domino's Pizza – Westwood

Mr. Carl Mittelhammer (retired Sergeant TWPD)

Nail Tree

J. O'Sullivan Electric Contractor, Inc.

Dr. Zach Orden

     Any Business, organization, civic group or private citizen that would like to be added to the sponsor list for the 28^thAnnual TSPC in 2008 should contact F/Sgt. Gregg Hackbarth at 201-661-1140 ext. 122 or may send an e-mail message to F/Sgt. Hackbarth at traffic@washtwppolice.org.

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“Drunk Driving. Over The Limit –

Under Arrest”



National Program to Detect, Arrest and Prosecute Drunk Drivers

Sponsored By:

Township of Washington Police Department

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety

Mothers Against Drunk Driving

Students Against Destructive Decisions

          The “Over The Limit - Under Arrest” (OTLUA) program is a national effort to protect everyone from impaired drivers. This program targets a twenty-seven day period surrounding from 12/7/07 through 1/2/08 with increased saturation patrols and checkpoints in regard to drunk driving. Local, County and State Police agencies have pledged their support for this program the aim of which is to rid our roads of drunk drivers.

            New Jersey has lowered its legal blood alcohol content to .08% for adult drivers. Drivers under the age of 21 have a zero tolerance in regard to blood alcohol content.

          In addition to the OTLUA program’s enforcement efforts, an educational component is included as well. For further information contact The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at the following website:

www.nhtsa.dot/gov

          The Township of Washington Police Department requests that motorists remember the following advice:

Don’t risk it – If you plan to drink, don’t drive.
Choose a sober designated driver.
Take mass transit, a cab or ask a friend to drive you home.
Report impaired drivers to the Police
Always wear your safety belt, its your best defense against an impaired driver

New Jersey’s DWI Laws and Penalties*

Ø      Blood Alcohol Content of .08% to less than .10%

Fine of $250 to $400

License suspension of 3 months

12 to 48 hours detainment in an Intoxicated Driver Resource Center

Possible imprisonment of up to 30 days

Ø     Blood Alcohol Content of .10% and Above

First Offense:

Fine of $300 - $500

License suspension of 7 months to 1 year

$100 surcharge for drunk driving enforcement fund

12 to 48 hours detainment in an Intoxicated Driver Resource Center

Possible installation of an ignition interlock device on vehicle

Possible imprisonment of up to 30 days

Mandatory completion of a DWI Countermeasure Screening and Evaluation Program

Additional insurance surcharges.

Second Offense:

Fine of $500 - $1,000

License suspension for 2 years

$100 surcharge for drunk driving enforcement fund

Additional Insurance surcharges

Required installation of an ignition interlock device on vehicle

30 days of community service

Imprisonment of not less than 48 consecutive hours nor more than 90 days

Third Offense:

Fine of $1,000

License suspension of 10 years

$100 surcharge for drunk driving enforcement funds

Additional Insurance surcharges

Required installation of ignition interlock device on vehicle

Imprisonment of 180 days, up to 90 days of the penalty may be served performing community service

Note – Driver’s convicted of a DWI charge that stemmed from a motor vehicle collision that resulted in bodily injury, serious bodily injury or death will also be charged criminally under New Jersey’s Assault by Auto, Death by Auto or Vehicular Homicide statutes. Penalties for DWI related offenses also increase if the offense was committed on or within 1000 feet of school property.

Additional DWI Related Laws And Penalties

q       Refusal to submit to a breath test:

First Offense - Fine of $250 - $500 and a 6-month license suspension

Second Offense – Fine of $250 - $500 and a 2-year license suspension

Third Offense - Fine of $250 - $500 and a 10-year loss of license

Additional insurance surcharges

q       Driving While Suspended Due to DWI:

Fine of $500

10 to 90 days imprisonment

1 to 2 years added license suspension

If you have an accident and someone is hurt, you face a mandatory 45 days in jail

q       Drinking While an Operator or Passenger in a Motor Vehicle -Open container Law:

First Offense - $200 fine

q       Second Offense - $250 fine or 10 days of community service

q       Underage Driving While Intoxicated Law and Penalties

For persons under 21 (the legal age in New Jersey to purchase an alcoholic beverage) who consumes an alcoholic beverage, then drives a vehicle when their blood alcohol concentration is 0.01% or more, but less than 0.08%, the penalties are as follows:

For licensed drivers: – Minimum penalty – 30 to 90 days driver’s license suspension, mandatory community service of 15 to 30 days and participation in an intoxicated driver resource center or other alcohol education and highway safety programs. Maximum penalties – If the blood alcohol concentration is 0.08% to under .10% or .10% and above, underage persons will receive sentences as described in the first, second or third offenses listed above.

For person under 21 on a permit or who are unlicensed: - Minimum penalties30 to 90 day prohibition from becoming a license driver at the age of 17, mandatory community service for 15 to 30 days and participation in an Intoxicated Driver Resource Center or other alcohol education or highway safety programs. Maximum penalties – If the blood alcohol concentration is 0.08% to less than .10% or .10% and higher, underage persons will receive sentences as described in the first, second and third offenses listed above.

*New Jersey Laws and Penalties courtesy of North Jersey AAA

TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON POLICE

DEPARTMENT 0F PUBLIC SAFETY

350 HUDSON AVENUE, TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON, BERGEN COUNTY, NJ 07676

PHONE # 201-664-1140   FAX # 201-664-2959

E-MAIL wtpolice@carroll.com or

traffic@washtwppolice.org

WWW.WASHTWPPOLICE.ORG

Chief of Police William Cicchetti

Director of Public Safety Joseph Rinaldi

                   Press Release By: F/Sgt. Gregg Hackbarth - December 2007

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"Click It Or Ticket 2006"

By F/Sgt. Gregg Hackbarth

5/17/06

           The nationwide Click It Or Ticket program will begin on May 22nd and run through June 4th. Most if not all Police Departments in Bergen County and the State of New Jersey will be participating in this seat belt law and child passenger seat law enforcement program. Many Police Departments will have extra manpower assigned to enforce New Jersey’s seat belt and child restraint seat laws.

           Township of Washington Police Chief William Cicchetti, who is also the President of the New Jersey Police Traffic Officer's Association, continues to be a strong advocate of the Click It Or Ticket Program.   Chief Cicchetti states: “Nationally we average 42,000 highway fatalities each year. If everyone wore their seat belts and made sure that their children were riding in age appropriate child restraint seats, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates 8,000 or more lives would be saved each year.”

           The Township of Washington Police Department will be deploying Officers on regular patrol as well as seat belt checkpoints. All motorists are reminded to set a good example for their children and fasten their seat belts. In addition, the Township of Washington P.D. also offers the services of three Child Passenger Safety Technicians who are qualified to either check the installation of your child passenger safety seat or assist you with the installation of the seat. For further information or for an appointment to have your child passenger safety seat installed, call 201-664-1140 and ask for extension 125. For additional information on the Click It Or Ticket Program and seat belt and child restraint seats, check the following web sites: www.buckleupamerica.org/, www.nhtsa.gov/, www.njsaferoads.com and www.bcptoa.org .

BICICYLE HELMET LAW CHANGES

By F/Sgt. Gregg Hackbarth – 3/1/06

Effective March 1, 2006, the age of young people required to wear approved bicycle helmets while driving a bicycle has been changed from children under the age of 14 to children under the age of 17. Children under the age of 17 must also wear approved bicycle helmets when they are roller skating, in-line skating, skateboarding or riding on scooters.

          The Township of Washington Police Department will be actively enforcing this law. Children under the age of 17 who ride bicycles, roller skate, skateboard or ride scooters without wearing a helmet will receive a written warning notice that their parents must sign and return to Police Headquarters. If a child is found to violate the bicycle helmet law on a second occasion, the parent or guardian of the child will receive a summons.

          Statistics show that bicycle helmets are believed to be 85 to 88% effective in preventing or decreasing the severity of head and brain injuries. Using a bicycle helmet is the single most effective way to reduce head injuries resulting from bicycle crashes.

          For additional information please refer to the following web-sites: Township of Washington Police Department at www.washtwppolice.org (traffic section), the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute at www.bhsi.org and the brain Injury Association of America at www.biausa.org.

          If you have any questions please call the Township of Washington Police Department at 201-664-1140 and ask for extension 125.

          Stay safe and wear your helmet.

        Jessie F. George School Traffic and Parking Regulations

Press Release - 2/12/02 - by Sgt. Hackbarth

The Police Department, the Mayor and Council, Board of Education, George School H.S.O. and Dr. Parker are continuing their efforts to make the area around the Jessie F. George School safer for students, pedestrians and motorists. Parents should be aware of the definitions of the drop off, pick up and crosswalk zones. Please familiarize yourself with the information listed.

Definition of Drop Off, Pick Up and Crosswalk Zones:
Drop Off Zone - Vehicles are to pull into these areas, which are designated by sign and white curbs, drop off students and immediately leave the area when the students are safely onto school property. There will be no parking in these zones. No vehicle should remain standing in this zone for more than one minute.

Pick Up Zone - Vehicles are to pull into these areas, which are designated by sign and white curbs, load the students into the vehicle and immediately leave the area after the students have buckled their seat belts. Do not pull into this zone unless your children are waiting to be picked up. There will be no parking in this area. No vehicle should remain standing in this zone for more than one minute.

No Parking Within 25 Feet of a Crosswalk - These areas, which are designated by sign, yellow curbs and crosswalk lines, include the 25 feet before the crosswalk, the crosswalk itself and 25 feet beyond the crosswalk. No vehicle will stand or park within this area that is approximately 56 feet long. Parents are reminded that New Jersey motor vehicle law requires motorists to yield to pedestrians who are in the crosswalk.

Location of Drop Off Zones:
There are two designated drop off zones. The first is located on the south side of Willow St., from a point 25 feet east of the crosswalk by the macadam sidewalk that leads to the school, to a point 25 feet west of the crosswalk lines at Hickory St. The second location is in the teacher's lot, on the north edge of the pavement, next to the front of the George School. This area, which is designated by sign and white pavement markings, is divided into two sections. The first section starts near the east end of the building and ends before the front doors to the school. The second section starts beyond the front doors and ends before you reach the west end of the school. The drop off zones in the Teacher's lot should be used for children with either a temporary injury or a disability. This portion of the teacher's lot will be a drop off zone only and will be available from 8:30 AM to 9 AM only. Parents are not allowed to use this area from 9 AM to 4 PM. This area is not available as a pick up zone at dismissal time. Do not park in the Teacher's parking stalls.

Location of Pick Up Zone:
As most parents are parking their cars on side streets and are walking to the school grounds to pick up their children, there will be only one pick up area at dismissal time. The pick up area will be the same area as the Willow St. drop off area mentioned above.

Location of Parking Areas and No Parking Areas:
Parents may park their vehicles on any side street surrounding the school as long as they observe the following Title 39 regulations: park headed in the direction of traffic, park within 6 inches of the curb, no parking within 10 feet of a fire hydrant, no parking within 50 feet of a stop sign, no parking within 25 feet of an intersection, no parking within 25 feet of a crosswalk and no parking in front of a driveway.

Hickory Street between Willow Street and George School Playground Designated as a DO NOT ENTER and a NO PARKING AREA:
As of September 2001, the Mayor and Council have adopted ordinances designating this area as a Do Not Enter and a No Parking area from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM on school days. These ordinances were adopted to allow this section of Hickory Street to be a safe zone that is as vehicle free as possible during the school day. The lone exceptions to this ordinance are vehicles going to the two houses on Hickory Street, emergency vehicles, Board of Education vehicles and Post Office vehicles. In addition, no vehicle is to drive onto the playground and no vehicle is to park on the playground or any of the grass, lawn, playing field or landscaped areas at the school.

Additional Reminders:
Please cooperate with our Crossing Guards who have been trained to ensure the safety of your children.
Due to health and safety reasons, parents and residents who live in the area of the George School are requested to refrain from walking their dogs on George School property.
Parents that have a child with a permanent disability should go to their local police department and request an application for a permanent handicap-parking permit.

Please remember to drive with extreme care and caution when you're driving through the George School area. If you have any questions contact Sgt. Gregg Hackbarth at 664-1140 ext. 125.

Washington School Traffic and Parking Regulations
Press Release - 2/12/02 - by Sgt. Hackbarth

The Police Department, the Mayor and Council, Board of Education, Washington School PSO and Mrs. Fischman are continuing their efforts to make the area around the Washington School safer for students, pedestrians and motorists. Parents should be aware of the definitions of the drop off, pick up and crosswalk zones. Please familiarize yourself with the information listed below.

Definition of Drop Off, Pick Up and Crosswalk Zones:
Drop Off Zone - Vehicles are to pull into these areas, which are designated by sign and white curbs, drop off students and immediately leave the area when the students are safely onto school property. There will be no parking in these zones. No vehicle should remain standing in this zone for more than one minute.

Pick Up Zone - Vehicles are to pull into these areas, which are designated by sign and white curbs, load the students into the vehicle and immediately leave the area after the students have buckled their seat belts. Do not pull into this zone unless your children are waiting to be picked up. There will be no parking in this zone. No vehicle should remain standing in this zone for more than one minute.

No Parking Within 25 Feet of a Crosswalk - These zones, which are marked by crosswalk lines and yellow curbs, include the 25 feet before the crosswalk, the crosswalk itself and 25 feet beyond the crosswalk. No vehicle will stand or park within this area, which is approximately 56 feet long.
Parents are reminded that New Jersey motor vehicle law requires motorists to yield to pedestrians who are in the crosswalk.

Location of Drop Off and Pick Up Zones:
The two drop off/pick up zones are on the South side of School Street, on either side of the main driveway to the school. Do not block the main driveway when dropping off or picking up your children.

Local Ordinance 223-53:
This ordinance prohibits parking in the main driveway to the school as well as driving or parking on the grass, lawn or landscaped areas of the school.

Students With Disabilities:
Parents that have a child with a disability that requires the child to be dropped off at or near the main entrance doors of the school should contact their local police department for an application for a permanent handicap-parking permit. A handicap-parking permit will identify the vehicle as having a legal purpose to be parked in violation of the local ordinance that prohibits vehicles from parking in the main driveway of the school. All other vehicles that park in this driveway will be ticketed.

Location of Parking Areas:
Parents may park their vehicles on any side street surrounding the school as long as they observe all local ordinance restrictions and the following Title 39 regulations: park headed in the direction of traffic, park within 6 inches of the curb, no parking within 10 feet of a fire hydrant, no parking within 50 feet of a stop sign, no parking within 25 feet of a crosswalk and no parking in front of a driveway.

Parking Prohibited in the Following Areas:
Drop off and pick up zones, bus stops, main driveway to the school, School St. from Wayne Pl. to its terminus (located West of the driveway to the West side parking lot), the driveway to the West lot and all grass, lawn and landscaped areas, and any other area designated by sign as a No Parking area. Parents are not permitted to use the driveway to drop off or pickup their children.

Additional Reminders:

Please cooperate with our Crossing Guards who have been trained to ensure the safety of your children.
Do not double park next to a vehicle parked at the curb when letting your children out of the vehicle or when picking them up.
Please observe and obey the residential speed limit of 25 MPH and other regulatory signs such as one way and stop signs.
For health and safety reasons, parents and residents from the area should refrain from walking their dogs on Washington School property.

Please remember to drive with extreme care and caution when you're driving through the Washington School area. If you have any questions contact Sgt. Gregg Hackbarth at 664-1140 ext. 125.

Residential Speed Limit 25 Miles Per Hour

Unless otherwise designated by sign, the residential speed limit for all streets within the Township of Washington is 25 miles per hour. If there is no speed limit sign on a residential road you should assume the speed limit is 25 per hour. During the last several years the Police Department has performed a large number of speed surveys on residential streets within the Township. We have found that a large majority of the motoring public maintain speeds that our close to the speed limit. However, there are motorist who insist on traveling at speeds which we consider to be unsafe. On occasion, we find that these motorist live in on or within a few blocks of the road that they are speeding on. The Police Department will continue to perform speed surveys on our residential streets and violators will be prosecuted.

Residents should be particularly careful on those side streets such as Woodfield Rd., Sussex Rd., Chestnut St., and Cleveland Ave. These streets are adjacent to the Washington Lake area. The majority of the streets surrounding the Lake do not have sidewalks. This area is used by students going to and coming from the Westwood Jr./Sr. High School and by residents who enjoy walking and riding their bicycles around the area. Pedestrians walking this area must share the road with the vehicles that are driving through the area. Please be alert and careful.

Overnight Parking

Local Ordinance 223-17 prohibits vehicles from parking on residential roads between the hours of 2 AM and 5 AM. the Police Department may grant permission for you to park your vehicle on the street if you have extenuating circumstances. No permission will be granted during extremely inclement weather such as s severe storm, a forecast of snow, or snow covered or icy roads.

Traffic Bureau - Township of Washington Police Department

For more info, e-mail us at: traffic@washtwppolice.org