Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Union resident faces eluding, resisting arrest, aggravated assault, DUI and other charges.
A drunken Union woman tried to flee from a traffic stop and punched and kicked Springfield officers before being placed under arrest, police said. Krystyna Rak, 53, was charged with aggravated assault on a police officer with use of a weapon (her car), possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, eluding police in a motor vehicle, resisting arrest and hindering apprehension. She was also charged with driving under the influence, possession of an open container of an alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle as well as multiple motor vehicle violations including reckless driving to disregard of traffic signals. According to Springfield Police, Officer Anthony Reimer was on patrol Friday at about 2:15 p.m., when he observed a four-door sedan …
Monday, November 19, 2012
Cook received the Raymond Terpanick Police Valor Award for quick action during potentially lethal motor vehicle accident.
On Thursday, Oct. 25, Springfield Police Chief John Cook was presented with the 2012 Raymond Terpanick Police Valor Award by the Saint Barnabas Burn Foundation during the 25th Annual Valor Awards in Clifton, NJ. Chief Cook was honored for his quick life-saving action on June 8, 2012 with a car accident that he barely avoided being involved in himself. While traveling southbound on Old Short Hills Road in Millburn around 10 p.m., Cook saw a vehicle traveling northbound at a moderate pace with a Mercedes speeding behind it. The Mercedes tried to pass the first vehicle by swerving into the oncoming lane. Upon seeing the Chief’s vehicle driving towards him, the driver quickly pulled back in behind the first vehicle, striking it, losing …
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Job will not be replaced.
As of next week, Springfield no longer has a director of Public Safety.* Richard Rosell, who has for the last two years overseen Springfield’s fire and police departments and the office of emergency management, is leaving the job. Rosell was the only one to hold the job and will not be replaced. Rosell told Patch that the end of his employment with Springfield was a expected, and that it was an inherent part of his agreement when he took the job. Springfield's government passed an ordinance to create the position of Public Safety Director in November of 2009. The job was seen by many observers to be a move to impose oversight on then chief of police William Chisholm. After Chisholm's retirement in February, 2010, some thought the job was …
Monday, May 21, 2012
Couple reportedly stole candy and cash.
What if Bonnie and Clyde had a sweet tooth? Police reports indicate the man and woman accused of breaking into two Springfield businesses last week were not particularly discerning about what they allegedly stole. While they pocketed cash, they also reportedly stole an item with little resale value; a candy bowl. On Thursday, May 17 at 10:13 p.m., Springfield PD Officer Melissa Esteves responded to a silent burglar alarm at Dave's Sweet Shop on Mountain Avenue. The business was closed, so Officer Esteves turned off her headlights as she entered the parking lot. She reportedly spotted David Brady, 39, of Morristown attempting to pry the rear door of the store open with a tire iron. Brady started to walk away and then ran off. After a chase…
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Alleged drug runner stopped for unsafe lane change.
Police say Zakiyyah Shakoor started crying after she was pulled over. The 37-year-old Wilboro resident is reported to have appeared nervous from the start of the late morning May 15 traffic stop. She reportedly broke into tears after officers was asked for her license and other motor vehicle papers. Reportedly, she told Springfield Police Officer Luis Brito that she was fresh from a fight with her boyfriend but then changed her story. Soon it became evident that this was a case of cracking under pressure. The officers reportedly found a pound and a half of heroin crammed inside a fast food restaurant paper bag in the car. The Union County Prosecutor's Office narcotics laboratory later determined the package had a street value of over $50,…
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Promotions are part of years in the making reorganization of the department.
In front of a town hall meeting room overflowing with family members, fellow police officers and fire fighters from Springfield and surrounding towns, eight township officers were promoted to new ranks this week. With the promotions, the force has two Captains, three Lieutenants and nine Sergeants. The recent rising in ranks follows a 2010 wave of promotions where nine officers got new titles, including John Cook, who became Captain and officer in charge of the department. With the promotion of Cook to Chief in 2011, the department was without captains until this week. Pat Mclaughlin and James Fine were sworn in as the force’s new captains. Mike McNany became a Lieutenant and Judd Levenson, previously a Detective Sergeant, became a …
bill
8:24 am on Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Congratulations Chief Cook! more ›