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Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados and Union County Sheriff Joseph Cryan thanked volunteers Sgt. Tara Halpin, Sgt. Maryann Hopko, Officer Keith Rayner, Judi McCartney, Officer Anastasio Anastasatos and his children Jake and Isabella for working the clothing and toy drive sponsored by the Union County Sheriff’s Office Saturday morning at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth. Thousands of donated items were collected and distributed to the homeless and needy families.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

The Union County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the officers’ Tree of Hope charity, is currently hosting a winter clothing and toy drive that will benefit Union County’s homeless and families in need, Sheriff Joseph Cryan announce today.

Officers are now collecting new and slightly used winter clothing and toys for all adults and children. Items including shirts, pants, winter coats, scarves, gloves, hats and shoes are needed for the homeless and families in need.

Donation boxes are located at all Union County Courthouse entrances, Union County Administration Building, Union County Prosecutor’s Office, Union County Probation Building, the Union County Division of Social Services in Elizabeth, the Colleen Fraser Building at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield, the Kenilworth Veterans Center and Elizabeth Police Department.

Donated items are welcome at all locations during normal business hours until January 15, 2016.

Sheriff’s officers will distribute the donated items to Union County’s homeless and families in need on Saturday January 16, 2106 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth. 

For more information please call (908) 629-2158.

On Wednesday afternoon, Sheriff Joe Cryan had the opportunity to participate in a great event for the holiday season.  In the spirit of giving, the Sheriff along with Union Township Police Officer Dorothy Mascolo, Union Township Committeeman Joseph Florio, Reverend Samuel Wright of the Union Chapel Church, Union Township Mayor Manuel Figueirdo, Union Township Committeeman Cliff People, and Union Township Business Administrator Ron Manzella distributed 150 turkeys with all of the fixins for  a very nice holiday dinner to township residents. Freeholder Chairman Mohamed Jalloh participated as well.  Thanks to the St. Paul’s Calvary Church for the use of their facilities.

Every holiday season for 18 years, Union County Sheriff’s Officers have set up their “Tree of Hope” in the courthouse seeking donations of toys and clothing for needy children throughout the county. Each year the response has been overwhelming.

The “Tree of Hope” was first planted in 1997 when officers encountered children in the courts who were going to experience a less than happy holiday season. The children the officers encountered were homeless or living in shelters, were victims of domestic violence or medically fragile.  Their parents or guardians did not have the financial ability to provide holiday gifts.

Every year since the “Tree of Hope” committee have erected a tree in the Union County Courthouse featuring paper ornaments. Volunteers make the ornaments and write a particular gift on each one.

Monetary donations to help provide additional gifts are also being sought.

Contributions of money (tax-deductible), toys and clothing can be sent to: Union County Sheriff’s Officers Tree of Hope, Union County Courthouse, 2 Broad Street, Elizabeth, N.J., 07207. For more information, call the “Tree of Hope” hotline at 908-629-2158.

Repost from NJ.com

ELIZABETH — Federal and state leaders gathered at the fire department Monday to implore Congress to reauthorize legislation that gives health benefits to Sept. 11 first responders.

U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, one of the bill’s original sponsors, told about 80 people gathered outside the firehouse that the law reassures first responders their compensation will last.

The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act reimburses first responders who contracted health issues after Sept. 11, 2001. The legislation expired Sept. 30, but there is still enough money to continue funding the program for months.

U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr., U.S. Rep. Donald Payne, Jr., state Sen. Ray Lesniak and Elizabeth Mayor J. Christian Bollwage also spoke at the rally. 

Booker told the crowd reauthorization of the Zadroga Act is not just a New Jersey or a New York issue.

“We should not have to be here,” he said. “It is a shame upon our nation that we are begging congresspeople to do what’s right.”

Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Bruce H. Bergen, Freeholders Alexander Mirabella and Angel G. Estrada and Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi joined Union County Sheriff’s Captain Dennis Burke in congratulating the winners of the 5th Annual Union County Sheriff’s Pistol Competition at the Union County Sheriff’s Firearms Training Facility in Springfield. Cpl. Sean Dougherty of the Union County Police Department won 1st Place. Sgt. Jerry Plum of the Plainfield Police Department took 2nd Place. Union County Sheriff’s Officer Keith Rhyner took 3rd Place. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

During the early morning hours of Friday, October 15, members of the Union County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division-Family Violence Unit conducted a child support sweep in Union, Linden, Rahway, Roselle and Hillside, Union County Sheriff Joseph Cryan announced today.

The Sheriff’s officers arrested 15 people for failure to pay child support for arrears totaling $419,890.42. As a result of their investigation, an additional 7 people surrendered to the Sheriff’s Office for arrears totaling $171,792.98.

“Time and time again we are seeing parents struggle because someone has shirked their responsibility,” Sheriff Cryan said.

“We want to send a message that if you are not paying your obligation for child support, we will pursue you and we will catch you,” the Sheriff added. “If this type of enforcement coerces other parents to pay what they owe, it is worth it.”

The round-up was led by Family Violence Unit Commander Lt. Jeffery Coon and Unit Supervisor Sgt. Clifford Meros. All the arrests were made without incident.

Those who were arrested were committed to the Union County Jail pending a Superior Court appearance. The people who surrendered were processed and brought for a Superior Court appearance.

Union County Amilcar “Mickey” Colon was one of four recipients of the 2015 Service Award given by the Boys Scouts of America, Patriots’ Path Council, during a recent dinner at the annual Boy Scouts of America Scouting…Vale la Pena Service Awards Dinner held at the Portuguese Instructive Social Club in Elizabeth. The Patriots’ Path Council includes Morris, Sussex, Somerset, Union, and Middlesex counties. This year’s honorees included Freeholder Sergio Granados, Maria Navedo vice president and branch manager at Santander Bank, Amilcar “Mickey” Colon, Union County Undersheriff, and Luis O. De La Hoz senior vice president at the Intersect Fund, a non-profit micro-lender. These recipients are chosen for their outstanding services as evidenced by the interest and leadership they have demonstrated within the community. They are citizens who live the ideals of the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives. The 2015 dinner chair was George A. Castro II, broker and owner of Century 21 Atlantic.

Union County Sheriff Joseph Cryan congratulates new Sheriff’s Captains Melissa Fernandez and William Bukowski during their promotion ceremony at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth. Captain Fernandez is the commander of the Crime Scene Unit and Captain Bukowski is the commander of the Office of the Professional Standers. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Sheriff Joseph Cryan joined Renee Froehlich-Garcia of Roselle Park as she presented the 2015 Ralph Froehlich Perseverance Award to Anthony Davis of Plainfield during the 8th Annual Union County Sheriff’s Youth Police Academy Graduation at Rahway High School Performing Arts Center. Renee Froehlich-Garcia is the granddaughter of the late Union County Sheriff Ralph Froehlich for whom the award is named. They were joined by academy instructors Anthony Chodan from the Elizabeth Police Department, Union County Sheriff’s Officer Kenny Gerhart and Sgt. Tara Halpin. Approximately 75 teens took part in the graduation ceremony.

arge crowd of family, supporters, and members of the law enforcement community approximately

The Union County Sheriff’s Office Youth Academy held their graduation ceremonies last night at the  Rahway High School Performing Arts Center.

Before a large crowd of family, supporters, and members of the law enforcement community approximately 75 teens took part in the graduation ceremony.  The Program Coordinator, Sergeant Tara Halpin from the Union County Sheriff’s Office presided over the ceremony.

Union County Sheriff Joe Cryan addressed the graduates and the gathered supporters.  He congratulated the graduates and thanked the families of the graduates for their support.

Sheriff Cryan stated: “Although this is the Union County Sheriff’s Youth Academy, this academy wouldn’t be as successful as it is without the continued cooperation and support of the Union County Board of Chosen freeholders, the Elizabeth Police Department, the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, the Union County Department of Corrections, and the John H. Stamler Police Academy.”

Following the Sheriff, several awards were presented by the lead Physical Training Instructor, Officer Kenny Gerhart of the Sheriff’s Office.  After the awards, the students were presented by Officer Anthony Chodan of the Elizabeth Police Department to receive their Certificates of Completion from Sheriff Cryan and Sgt. Halpin.  Sgt. Halpin gave the closing remarks. She commented: “The student’s growth from the first day of the academy to the last day was quite noticeable, and I feel a great sense of pride in that.”

The evening concluded with several group photos and refreshments.

The Union County Sheriff’s Youth Academy is a program offered by the Sheriff for middle and high school students who have an interest in Law Enforcement.   Approximately 100 students took part. The curriculum includes physical training, hands on learning, demonstrations from specialized units such as the SWAT Team, K-9, Federal Agencies and the State Police Aviation Unit.