Police Home Page Message

Notice to Residents: April 24, 2025

While you slept…

Just after 3 am in the morning of April 17, 2025, Officer Nick Cotterell was cruising some residential neighborhoods looking for anything out of place.  While driving down Roosevelt Blvd, he observed a vehicle slowing coming off Riverside Dr. onto Roosevelt.  He observed the driver (and a passenger) as the vehicle passed him and then watched it obviously rapidly accelerate in an effort to distance itself away from him while heading toward Ridgedale Ave.  Off. Cotterell turned around as quick as he could to close the gap, try to identify the vehicle, and then try to stop it.  But this driver had other plans and we have attached a brief clip to our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BzqDYziCc/) showing how dangerously this criminal was driving to get away from us.

The driver decided to take off at dangerous, reckless speeds near 100 MPH along Ridgedale Ave headed toward Columbia Tpk, much of it before Officer Cotterell could even attempt to try to stop him.  Officer Cotterell gave it a chase through the center before eventually having to let the vehicle go.  Only a few hours later that morning did our agency learn that the license plate on the vehicle found creeping around your neighborhoods, was now being reported stolen and belonged on a different vehicle.  To make matters worse, this same suspect and vehicle are alleged to have committed a residential burglary and motor vehicle theft at a home in a nearby community not long after Officer Cotterell chased it out of town.  Fortunately, the suspect, a 25-year-old male from East Orange, who was able to be positively identified by Officer Cotterell, was arrested later that morning by another agency and charged with several crimes from several towns, including the crime of 2nd degree “Eluding” in our Borough.

We wanted to share this to let you know that our Officers are doing their best, day and night, to keep you and your property safe.  Without a doubt, this Officer – as others have before him in similar circumstances – prevented at least one of our residents from being victimized or hurt.

UPDATE - now that it's been released, additional information can be found on the West Caldwell Police Department page as well - https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02aJGwyvXuGkmWM7CfRCdKFtEvDFVJExjiDsWfEc9CmnqttxF8x9PvpDQ6jJHYnLA3l&id=100064619232996

Notice to Residents: March 28, 2025

The Water Department will be conducting their annual hydrant flushing program beginning Monday, March 31, 2025, from 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. The program will take approximately four weeks to complete.  For more information, please visit:

https://www.florhamparknj.gov/departments/waterutility/WaterUtilityDivision

Notice to Residents: August 1, 2024

Residents,

In light of the fatal pedestrian accident, in early July, our department has been exploring several initiatives to aide in pedestrian/cyclist safety as part of our overall mission of communal safety.  As our community continues to grow, the number of pedestrians and cyclists on our roadways continues to increase as well.  The residential complex constructed at the corner of Columbia Turnpike and Hanover Road will undoubtedly increase the number of pedestrians walking throughout our center district, along with increased vehicular volumes.  In an effort to reduce the risks of pedestrian/cyclist encounters with motor vehicle traffic we have been working with the Engineering Department to adjust the timing of our traffic signals to allow for intervals of pedestrian traffic only.  Therefore, when a pedestrian activates the crosswalk button, all traffic signals at the intersection would eventually turn red allowing for free flowing pedestrian traffic without the risk of flowing vehicular traffic.  We suggested the timing on all of our traffic signals along Ridgedale Avenue, as well as those along Columbia Turnpike, from Crescent Road to Park Street, be adjusted in this manner.   Each of those traffic signals are regulated by the County of Morris, which requires permission to adjust the timing of the same.  We have begun the inquiry process and may be required to conduct traffic studies to accomplish our goals.  I am asking residents to assist us in our endeavor by contacting the Morris County Engineering Department and voicing any concerns you may have for pedestrians along these roadways.  The Morris County Engineering Department can be contacted at the following;

• mcdot@co.morris.nj.us
• 973-285-6750

Juvenile bicyclists have been another concern for our department.  Increased utilization of electric bicycles and scooters has led to a confused motoring public and amplified public concern.  The State of New Jersey added new vehicle classes to the NJ Statutes in May of 2019 which addressed electric bicycles and scooters, classifying them in the following categories;

• Class 1 Low Speed Electric Bicycles – these bicycles are equipped with a motor which provides propulsion assistance only during pedaling and has a 20mph maximum speed.
• Class 2 Low Speed Electric Bicycles – these bicycles are equipped with motors which may provide propulsion exclusively via a throttle system.  This class of bicycle’s motor ceases to assist propulsion at 20mph. 
  • Class 1 and Class 2 Bicycles are subject to the same rules as traditional bicycles.
    • They may ride on bicycle paths unless prohibited by local ordinance.
    • Riders under the age of 17 must wear a helmet.
    • Must be equipped with bells that can be heard for 100 feet.
    • Bicyclists must keep to the right side of the road and ride in single file to allow for the safe passage and flow of vehicular traffic.
    • Front lights (white), rear light (red) that can be seen for a distance of 500 feet.
    • Must be equipped with brakes.
• Class 3 Low Speed Electric Bicycles (Otherwise known as Motorized Bicycles)
  • This class of bicycle is basically a Moped, is not subject to the same rules as traditional bicycles, and must adhere to following;
    • Minimum 15-year age requirement to operate.
    • Helmets are required.
    • Operators must possess an operator’s license, registration and insurance.
• Low-Speed Electric Scooters – Scooters equipped with an electric motor propelling the scooter at a maximum speed of 19mph.
• E-Scooters are not subject to licensing, registration or insurance requirements.
• Riders must follow the laws of traditional bicycles
• Operation on sidewalks, trails and paths are dependent upon local ordinance.
• Helmets must be worn if under the age of 17.

Some of the obvious issues we have encountered with bicycles and scooters of all varieties are failure to wear the required helmets, failure to ride on the right side of the road, failure to ride in single file for the free flow of vehicular traffic, and failure to utilize the required crosswalks.

To combat these issues our School Resource Officers teach bicycle safety during the school year, however a more robust effort on our part is being undertaken at this time.

• Our SROs are conducting a bicycle safety course at the Florham Park Day Camp. 
• All personnel have been instructed to stop bicycle/scooter riders, under the age of 17, who are not wearing helmets and advise them of the law, as well as to make contact with the juvenile’s parent/guardian to inform them of the contact with their child.
• All personnel have been instructed to address violations of the bicycle/scooter laws in regards to operating in accordance with the laws;
• Riding on the right side of the street, in single file and utilizing the proper crosswalks.
• Officers assigned to the center district are monitoring crosswalks, as well as approaching juveniles whose bicycles are parked outside of stores and reminding them to adhere to all safety measures including wearing their helmets.
• Increased enforcement initiatives for vehicular traffic, to include speeding, stop sign violations and No Turn on Red violations, will be undertaken throughout the summer months and the beginning of the new school year.

I want to be clear that while we are addressing violations of these bicycle/scooter laws, we will not be issuing summonses to juveniles.  However, we will be contacting parents/guardians to advise them of the violations and to seek their assistance in maintaining a safe environment for their children and all other vehicular/pedestrian traffic.  This is an education and safety campaign aimed at increasing communal safety for all of our residents and visitors.

Parents/Guardians please assist our department and our officers with this endeavor by ensuring your children wear their helmets and follow the rules described in this public service announcement.

Stay safe!

Joseph Orlando
Chief of Police
August 1, 2024