County of Union, New Jersey

 

Union County Freeholders Vernell Wright and Bruce Bergen congratulate newly sworn-in Undersheriff Michael Frank of the Union County Sheriff’s Office during a ceremony in Elizabeth. Undersheriff Frank is a 27-year veteran of the UCSO who most recently served as a captain in the Administrative Division. As Undersheriff, he will oversee the Courts Division, the Complex Division, UCSO Security Guards and the Identification Bureau/Crime Scene Unit. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

More than 100 teens recently graduated from the Union County Sheriff’s Youth Academy, a program designed to familiarize young people with the role of a police officer. Also, it operates similar to an actual police academy for teens interested in law enforcement.

“The Youth Academy aims to teach our kids about law enforcement and it is a great first step for those interested in the field,” Acting Union County Sheriff Joseph Cryan said. “And from what I heard from these fine young women and men, we succeeded in all of our goals in this program.”

Acting Sheriff Cryan also thanked the officers from the various law enforcement agencies that participated in the program including, but not limited to, the Elizabeth Police Department, the New Jersey State Police, the Union County Police Department and the Union County Corrections.

“Along with all the effort from our Sheriff’s Officers, I’m grateful to all in law enforcement who supported this effort,” said Acting Sheriff Cryan.

Participants in the Youth Academy received hands-on experience in a wide variety of emergency services and law enforcement functions and training.  In addition, youths have the opportunity to learn respect for law enforcement through positive interaction during their time in the program.

“Showing them the human element of law enforcement helps our young people connect with officers in a way they never thought they could,” the Acting Sheriff added.

The Sheriff’s Youth Academy is not a ‘boot camp’ for troubled youth. In order to enroll in the program, the youngsters must have a minimum GPA of 2.70 (B- average), letters of reference and write an essay explaining why the student would like to attend the Youth Academy.

During the two-week program, the teens engaged in a physical training regime twice a day while attending lectures on subjects such as crime scene investigations, K-9 and motor vehicle stops. They also received visits from representatives from the U.S. Army, New Jersey State Police and the F.B.I, the Kenilworth Police Department and the Kean University Police Department.

The Youth Academy also involved class trips to the Union County SWAT Range, the Union County Jail, the Elizabeth Police Department and the Union County Police Department.

As summer vacations come to an end and students return to school throughout the county, Acting Union County Sheriff Joseph Cryan would like to remind residents to take extra care when driving as the roads become busier.

Drivers will again be sharing the streets with school buses and children walking and bicycling to and from school.

“Driving safely requires a person’s constant attention to the road and to everyone and everything outside of the car,” Acting Sheriff Cryan said. “A lack of attention or a distraction could be deadly.”

School buses will again be part of the morning commute and on the streets each afternoon. It is important to obey the law for the safety of children when buses are picking up or dropping off students.

School buses use yellow flashing lights to alert motorists that they are preparing to stop. Red flashing lights and an extended stop sign arm are signals to motorists that the bus is stopped and children are getting on or off the bus. Traffic in both directions is required to stop when the red lights are flashing on the bus.

Also, drivers should never pass a school bus. It is illegal and could have tragic consequences.

Children are unpredictable and often take risks, ignore hazards or fail to look both ways when crossing the street.

“Drivers need to be alert at all times. Don’t talk on a cell phone while driving and, more importantly, never text while behind the wheel,” the Acting Sheriff said. “Red lights are not a time to check emails or texts. A distracted driver can lead to accidents at any time, even coming out of a stop.”

Parents of teenagers who drive to school need to reinforce the rules of the road with the young drivers, especially about never texting while driving. They should set a good example with their own good driving habits. Teens learn to drive by watching their parents.

Texting while driving is not the only hazard when it comes to digital devices. Distracted walking can also be dangerous. Students should not text and walk, especially when crossing or walking in the street. Parents with children who walk to school need to remind their kids about the basics of pedestrian safety.

“If everyone, drivers and students, keep aware of their surroundings and pay attention, the new school year can be a safer one,” Acting Sheriff Cryan added.

For more back-to-school safety information, visit the National Safety Council website atwww.nsc.org/safety_home/SafetyObservances/Pages/BackToSchoolSafety.

As summer vacations come to an end and students return to school throughout the county, Acting Union County Sheriff Joseph Cryan would like to remind residents to take extra care when driving as the roads become busier.

Drivers will again be sharing the streets with school buses and children walking and bicycling to and from school.

“Driving safely requires a person’s constant attention to the road and to everyone and everything outside of the car,” Acting Sheriff Cryan said. “A lack of attention or a distraction could be deadly.”

School buses will again be part of the morning commute and on the streets each afternoon. It is important to obey the law for the safety of children when buses are picking up or dropping off students.

School buses use yellow flashing lights to alert motorists that they are preparing to stop. Red flashing lights and an extended stop sign arm are signals to motorists that the bus is stopped and children are getting on or off the bus. Traffic in both directions is required to stop when the red lights are flashing on the bus.

Also, drivers should never pass a school bus. It is illegal and could have tragic consequences.

Children are unpredictable and often take risks, ignore hazards or fail to look both ways when crossing the street.

“Drivers need to be alert at all times. Don’t talk on a cell phone while driving and, more importantly, never text while behind the wheel,” the Acting Sheriff said. “Red lights are not a time to check emails or texts. A distracted driver can lead to accidents at any time, even coming out of a stop.”

Parents of teenagers who drive to school need to reinforce the rules of the road with the young drivers, especially about never texting while driving. They should set a good example with their own good driving habits. Teens learn to drive by watching their parents.

Texting while driving is not the only hazard when it comes to digital devices. Distracted walking can also be dangerous. Students should not text and walk, especially when crossing or walking in the street. Parents with children who walk to school need to remind their kids about the basics of pedestrian safety.

“If everyone, drivers and students, keep aware of their surroundings and pay attention, the new school year can be a safer one,” Acting Sheriff Cryan added.

For more back-to-school safety information, visit the National Safety Council website atwww.nsc.org/safety_home/SafetyObservances/Pages/BackToSchoolSafety.

Union County Surrogate James LaCorte and Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi (R) present a donation to Pam Myers of the Friends of Linden Animal Shelter on behalf of the Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey in memory of former Union County Sheriff Ralph Froehlich who recently passed away. The Sheriff was a supporter of the shelter and former President of the Association. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholders Vernell Wright and Bruce Bergen congratulate newly sworn-in Undersheriff Michael Frank of the Union County Sheriff’s Office during a ceremony in Elizabeth. Undersheriff Frank is a 27-year veteran of the UCSO who most recently served as a captain in the Administrative Division. As Undersheriff, he will oversee the Courts Division, the Complex Division, UCSO Security Guards and the Identification Bureau/Crime Scene Unit. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

 

More than 100 teens recently graduated from the Union County Sheriff’s Youth Academy, a program designed to familiarize young people with the role of a police officer. Also, it operates similar to an actual police academy for teens interested in law enforcement.

“The Youth Academy aims to teach our kids about law enforcement and it is a great first step for those interested in the field,” Acting Union County Sheriff Joseph Cryan said. “And from what I heard from these fine young women and men, we succeeded in all of our goals in this program.”

Acting Sheriff Cryan also thanked the officers from the various law enforcement agencies that participated in the program including, but not limited to, the Elizabeth Police Department, the New Jersey State Police, the Union County Police Department and the Union County Corrections.

“Along with all the effort from our Sheriff’s Officers, I’m grateful to all in law enforcement who supported this effort,” said Acting Sheriff Cryan.

Participants in the Youth Academy received hands-on experience in a wide variety of emergency services and law enforcement functions and training.  In addition, youths have the opportunity to learn respect for law enforcement through positive interaction during their time in the program.

“Showing them the human element of law enforcement helps our young people connect with officers in a way they never thought they could,” the Acting Sheriff added.

The Sheriff’s Youth Academy is not a ‘boot camp’ for troubled youth. In order to enroll in the program, the youngsters must have a minimum GPA of 2.70 (B- average), letters of reference and write an essay explaining why the student would like to attend the Youth Academy.

During the two-week program, the teens engaged in a physical training regime twice a day while attending lectures on subjects such as crime scene investigations, K-9 and motor vehicle stops. They also received visits from representatives from the U.S. Army, New Jersey State Police and the F.B.I, the Kenilworth Police Department and the Kean University Police Department.

The Youth Academy also involved class trips to the Union County SWAT Range, the Union County Jail, the Elizabeth Police Department and the Union County Police Department.

Union County, NJ – At a press conference yesterday, representatives from the interfaith organization Faith in New Jersey joined with other civil rights advocates to recognize the Freeholder Board for supporting a recent change to Union County Department of Corrections procedures relating to detainer requests from the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency. The new procedures promote a more effective use of public safety resources while ensuring that constitutional protections are observed. Union County Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak (4^th R), Vice Chairman Mohamed Jalloh (5^th L), and Freeholders Sergio Granados (4^th L), Vernell Wright (2^nd R) and Bruce Bergen (R) are pictured here with (from left) Hoover Rodriguez, a Union County resident who was detained under the former procedures, Carlos Rojas of Faith in New Jersey, Pastor Ramon Collazo of St. Elizabeth Lutheran Church, Assemblywoman Annette Quijano and Brian Riordan, Director of the Union County Department of Corrections.  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

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Union County, NJ – Did you know that one tree can absorb as much as 48 pounds of carbon dioxide per year? Trees also trap dust particles and other pollutants, and they help keep our neighborhoods cool in the summer. These are just some of the many environmental benefits of planting and caring for trees in our community.

If you’re interested in learning more about trees and you enjoy teaching children, the Union County Master Tree Stewards program is seeking volunteers now.

“Trees make significant contributions to the quality of life in our community,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak. “Each year, through the Master Tree Steward volunteer program, Union County residents teach hundreds of school children about trees and their benefits to our neighborhoods and environment.”

The Master Tree Steward program is a free educational program that trains adult volunteers to teach children about trees. Tree Stewards learn how trees grow and reproduce, how to plant trees, why trees are important to our environment, and fun ways to share this knowledge with children.

Homework consists of light reading and a simple project. There are no exams or quizzes. After completing the training program, graduates are provided with a teaching kit and supplies, and are scheduled to teach several one-hour programs for grade school students this winter and spring.

This program is one of the many adult volunteer opportunities offered by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County. Volunteers are essential to the successful implementation of the Master Tree Steward program.

The 2014 Master Tree Steward training sessions will be held on Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., for 12 weeks starting on September 3. Your commitment is short term, but importance and impact are long term.

The classroom training sessions will be located at the Extension offices in the County Services building in Westfield, at 300 North Avenue East.

For an application or more information, contact Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County 4-H Agent James Nichnadowicz at the Extension offices, 908-654-9854, or email nichnadowicz@ucnj.org.

The Rutgers Cooperative Extension is supported in part by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. It offers a wide variety of programs and activities for all ages. For more information visit the Extension online at ucnj.org/rce.

Photo (cropped): by Nicholas A. Tonelli via flickr.com creative commons license.

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Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.