| Police: 1998 Report |
General Information of Police Department
In December of 1998, the Community Policing Bureau aided graduates of past Citizen Police Academy classes in forming an Alumni Association. This association is made up of residents from Teaneck as well as other Bergen County towns. The mission of the association is to foster and strengthen a two-way partnership with the Police Department through continual learning, serving as ambassadors and resources for and within the community and to increase public awareness and support. This is just one example of a partnership formed between residents and police.
During 1998 the Patrol Division, working 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, drove a total of 548,838 miles. During this time period, 5,991 summonses for moving violations and 6,135 summonses for parking violations were issued. A total of 1,742 accident investigations were conducted, of which 304 resulted in the issuance of summonses. For 1998, 55 DWI arrests were made. The Police Department responded to 34 calls of animal bites, 115 fire calls, 2,358 calls for first aid and made 100 arrests for other jurisdictions. A total of 116 street light and 130 traffic light malfunctions were reported during the year, and officers located 200 unsecured premises. Additionally, the department impounded 493 vehicles and recovered $704,506.00 worth of stolen property. There were 13,238 reports filed for the year and 1,652 adult arrests.
The Juvenile Bureau investigated a total of 719 cases with a total of 513 juvenile arrests filed. Not all of these juveniles were referred to the court system. Many were given alternative penalties designed to show them the error in what they did and the consequences for their actions. In the Youth Bureau our intention is to help the juvenile onto the right path.
The Service Bureau collected $11,020.94 in alarm registration fees, $4,145 in false alarm fines and $5,369 in miscellaneous identification fees.
In 1998, the Detective Bureau conducted over 1,650 investigations. Theft, burglary, and narcotics distribution were among the many categories in which the bureau enjoyed a high level of success. In cooperation with the Community Policing Bureau, members of the Detective Bureau participated in the Citizens Police Academy. The program, developed by the Community Policing Bureau, afforded members of the Detective Bureau an opportunity to establish a dialogue with citizens. Through demonstration and situation analysis, citizens experienced the essence of the detectives' function.
The Juvenile Bureau is responsible for investigating crimes at the township schools, thefts of bicycles, graffiti cases and all bias incidents. Juvenile detectives handle investigation of child abuse/sexual assault, abandonment and endangering, custody violations and missing and/or abducted juveniles' cases. These cases are investigated in cooperation with many county agencies, such as Crisis Intervention, the Division of Youth and Family Services, and the Juvenile Conference Committee. The Bureau is committed to working closely with school officials and the Teaneck Municipal Alliance Against Drug Abuse to educate the youth of our community concerning the dangers of tobacco, alcohol and substance abuse. Through lectures and community events such as the National Night Out, the Junior Police Academy and the Health Fair, the Youth Bureau works to raise the awareness of parents and juveniles about the laws pertaining to the possession and use of alcohol and illegal drugs, and the effects on the body these substances have.
The mission of the Traffic Bureau is to ensure that pedestrians and motorists are able to conveniently maneuver throughout the Township, with the safety of these individuals being of primary concern. This is accomplished by a variety of traffic functions, such as the school crossing guard program, radar enforcement, and intersection evaluations. Additional areas of focus for the Traffic Bureau included DWI sobriety check points, DWI roving patrols, bicycle helmet awareness programs, accident investigations, inspection sticker road checks, and details to follow up complaints of vehicles passing stopped school buses and frozen dessert trucks. The Bureau has purchased hand held radar units from grant funds in 1998, which are used in conjunction with the previously purchased radar trailer, to address complaints of vehicles exceeding the speed limit. The motorcycles purchased in 1997 from grant funds continue to be an asset in traffic concerns, and patrolling Township parks.
General Information of Police Department
Police
Department:
911 (Emergency) or 837-2600
Chief: Donald C. Giannone
Community Policing: 837-8759
Detective
Bureau:
837-2565
Emergency Management Coordinator: 837-8759
Service
Bureau:
837-2573
Police
Information:
837-2608
Police Records/Traffic: 837-2551
Juvenile
Bureau:
837-0495
Community Policing Bureau: Each neighborhood in Teaneck has a specific community policing officer assigned to it. Residents may call the Community Policing Bureau to speak with their respective officer. Bureau members are available to facilitate the organization of block watches, conduct home security surveys and address neighborhood problems. A "Citizens Police Academy" is offered to adult residents twice a year for ten weeks. This program offers the residents an inside view of police work. A "Junior Police Academy" is offered to children ages 11 to 16 during the summer. This five-day program is similar to the adult program, but is tailored to the age group of the audience.
Detective Bureau: Individuals or groups are encouraged to contact a member of the Narcotics Bureau to discuss the dangers of alcohol, inhalants, narcotics, depressants, cocaine and marijuana use.
Juvenile Bureau: During the summer months, in cooperation with the Traffic Bureau, township residents are offered bicycle safety and bicycle registration programs.
Traffic Bureau: Citizens can request that the radar trailer be placed on their street which will show the speed limit at that location and alert oncoming vehicles of the speed at which they are traveling. Officers certified in the operation of radar remove the trailer after a few days and follow up with enforcement.
Service Bureau: Residents may call the Service Bureau for bicycle registration. Officers will engrave a distinct number on the resident's bicycle.
Crime Stoppers: Rewards are paid to individuals for information which leads to a criminal arrest. The caller may remain anonymous.
Emergency: The Teaneck Police Department is a Public Safety Answering and Dispatch Point for the 9-1-1system. A call in the event of an emergency will get you a quick response from public safety providers, whether the need is for police, fire, or ambulance.