Important Contacts

Chief of Police - Gerard Orlando: (908) 259-4000
Drug Hotline: (908) 298-DRUG
Community Policing: (908) 245-8090

Prevent Auto Theft

• Always remove your keys
• Always lock your doors
• Park your car in a garage, if possible. Lock both your car and garage.
• Install an antitheft device that is highly visible, hard to defeat and renders the car undrivable
• Park in a secure, well lit lot
• When you park, turn your wheels toward the curb
• Apply the emergency brakes
• Engrave your drivers’ license number and state on all valuable components
• Have your VIN etched on each window of your vehicle
• Remove valuable from your car or place them in the trunk
• Do not hide spare keys in or on your car
• Keep our license, registration, and insurance card in your wallet or purse
• If you have any questions, please call (908) 259-4005

Home Burglary Prevention

• Do NOT hide house keys in mailboxes, planters, or under doormats
• If you lose your house keys or move, you should change the locks immediately
• Report any non-working , streetlights to PSE&G
• Find an unpredictable place to hide your valuables, such as a loose floorboard or among cleaning supplies
• If you notice anything suspicious, contact the Police immediately
• Never tell a stranger that a neighbor lives alone
• Install quality deadbolt locks and use them every time
• Trim back shrubbery that hides doors or windows
• Keep ladders in a garage or chained to a fence
• Make sure all porches, entrances, yards are well illuminated

School Safety Information

In an effort to keep our children safe please review the following school information:

• There is NO PARKING on the same side of the street as the school. You cannot wait for your child at dismissal time in a no parking area.
• Parents are not to stop in the middle of the street to drop off their children.
• Parents and children should not cross in the middle of the street; use the crossing guard.
• Sidewalks are to be utilized when available. Children must not walk in the street.

Please contact the Roselle Traffic Bureau at (908) 259-4029 if you have any questions.

Neighborhood Watch

What is Neighborhood Watch?
Neighborhood Watch is a community-based program that has been proven to deter crime. It was started in 1972 and unites law enforcement, local organizations, and individual citizens in a community wide effort to reduce residential crime.

What happens at a Neighborhood Watch meeting?
Officers and residents will discuss ways to stay safe and how to keep your property secure. Current crime trends and events are discussed as well as specific crime statistics for your neighborhood.

Do I have to have a Neighborhood Watch meeting in my home?
No. If you are not comfortable holding a meeting in our own home, it can be held at Borough Hall, the Community Center, or the Fire Department. Meetings can also be held at businesses, as well.

How do I start Neighborhood Watch in my area?
Contact Sgt. Scaturo of the Roselle Police Department at (908) 259-4006.

Community Programs

Bicycle Rodeo:
The Bike Rodeo program was designed to educate children about safe riding habits and to hone their riding skills. The children receive special instruction which includes: hand signals, how to cross railroad tracks, what to wear when riding a bike, how to properly fit a helmet, and why helmet wear is crucial for safety. A bike safety video is shown and an obstacle course is designed for children to practice what they have learned. Bike inspections are completed and helmets are distributed to those who have none.

Bike Safety:
The Bike Safety program is held in the spring of every year and is given to 1st graders in Roselle. The program consists of a video presentation, lecture, and a question and answer portion. A raffle of bike helmets is also done. Children are given bike safety coloring books and safety material to bring home to their parents.

Bullying, Conflict Resolution, and Anger Management:
This program was designed on teach younger children about the effects bullying and anger have on their family, friends, and classmates. Written and practical exercises are completed to convey the negative effects of inappropriate behavior. Students are shown positive alternative to solving problems in their lives.

Career Day:
All schools in Roselle hold Career Day for their students. Police officers attend these days and talk about what it is like to be an officer as well as how to become one. Emphasis is placed on maintaining good grades, staying out of trouble, and being a good citizen.

Child Fingerprinting:
The purpose of child fingerprinting is for the parents to have an accurate copy of their child’s fingerprint in the case of an emergency such as a lost or kidnapped child. Fingerprinting is held in the elementary schools as well as community events. Children, with parental permission, are fingerprinted and the parents keep the only copy of the prints. Brochures on child safety are also handed out during these programs.

Cops In Schools:
The Cops in School Program was designed to bring police officers from the Roselle Police Department into the school classrooms. Cops in School, also known as C.I.S., originally started as a fourth grade program lasting ten weeks. Numerous topics were covered including 911, bike safety, and drug and alcohol education. The program has since expanded to include additional grades from kindergarten to the seventh grade. New, and more current subjects, have been added to the curriculum. These include bullying, gun safety, and violence awareness. Due to recent events in the Borough of Roselle pedestrian safety has also been included.

In 2007 the police department ran approximately forty C.I.S. classes reaching roughly 2000 students. Essay and poster contests were held and winners received prizes for their efforts. "Homework assignments" were also given and students were provided with rewards, such as pencils, pens, or stickers, for their participation.

Crime Prevention Surveys:
The crime prevention survey is a comprehensive on-site examination of a residence or business and its surrounding property. This is completed by a trained crime prevention officer for the purpose of identifying security risks and making recommendations to minimize those risks.

DARE:
D.A.R.E. is a police officer-led series of classroom lessons that teaches children how to resist peer pressure and live productive drug and violence-free lives. D.A.R.E. goes beyond traditional drug abuse and violence prevention programs. It gives children the skills needed to recognize and resist the subtle and overt pressures that cause them to experiment with drugs or become involved in gangs or violent activities.

D.A.R.E. is taught to the fifth grade students of Roselle over a ten week period; the officers visit each classroom once per week. Students learn from the officer’s experience on the job, classroom activities, and materials, such as workbooks and handouts. Students write essays and draw posters about being drug and alcohol free. They receive awards and prizes for participation and the class culminates in a graduation ceremony for all students.

DWI Education:
The DWI Program is held at the high schools in Roselle. Students are taught the dangers of driving while intoxicated through the use of videos and real life stories. Officers show videos in which victims of DWI crashes and DWI offenders tell of their experiences. Students also have the opportunity to wear “Fatal Vision Goggles” which demonstrate the effects of drinking and driving. The goggles simulate a blood alcohol level that is at, or above, the legal limit. Students then attempt to ride a three-wheeled bicycle through a coned course. The effects are a somber realization for some students of how dangerous drinking while driving can be.

Gang Awareness:
The Gang Awareness Program was designed for the middle school and junior high school students. The program utilizes videos and instructional material to convey the dangers of joining a gang. Real life stories are told to the students about injuries and deaths associated with gang life. Examples are gang initiation rituals are explained to the students as a deterrence to gang involvement.

Girl Scout/Boy Scout Programs:
The police department hosts educational programs for the Scouts in Roselle. The troops visit Borough Hall where they are taught about how the town operates, how the court handles their cases, and what the police department does. A discussion is held about how someone can become a police officer and what the job entails. The night is concluded with a tour of the department and Borough Hall.

GREAT:
GREAT is a six week officer led program for the 4th graders of Roselle. It focuses on gang prevention, bullying, self esteem, and character education. In addition to the standard GREAT curriculum, officers incorporate games and activities to further promote student safety and well being.

During the GREAT program incentives are given to the children to reward them for the work they do. This promotes the responsibility and accountability traits that they will need in life.

Halloween Safety:
The Halloween Safety Program is conducted on the elementary school level. Students are given a presentation about safety concerning costumes, walking, strangers, and candy consumption. Over the years several materials have been distributed including safety pamphlets, trick or treating bags, pencils, candy, and glow sticks.

Health Fair:
The police department attends the borough health fair as well as community based fairs. Officers hand out material on personal and home safety, DWI, child safety issues, and drug and alcohol education. Officers also teach participants about various safety concerns to both children and adults.

Junior Police Academy:
The Junior Police Academy is a sixteen (16) week program conducted by members of the Roselle Police Department. The Academy began from a Law and Public Safety Grant which was obtained through the Roselle Family Success Center and Prevention Links. The purpose of the grant was to establish a common bond with the youth of Roselle and to keep those children out of the juvenile correction systems. The program is intended for individuals 13 to 18 years of age and focus on the role of a police officer including aspects of patrol practices, Community Policing, Traffic Enforcement Investigations, DWI and Underage Drinking, Detective Bureau Investigations, Crime Scene Investigations, Narcotics Investigations, CPR and Fingerprinting.

National Night Out:
National Night Out is a drug and crime prevention program which is sponsored by the Roselle Police Department and the Roselle Municipal Drug Alliance. National Night Out strengthens police and community partnerships, generates support and participation in anti-drug and anti-crime programs, heightens awareness for drug/crime prevention, and sends a message to criminals that the residents are fighting back against crime.

Last year’s National Night Out was held on August 7, 2007 at the Pine Street Playground. We had food, entertainment, giveaways, and crime/drug literature for all who attended. The event, which was entirely free of charge to all, was a huge success. Residents were treated to a barbecue, which included hamburgers and hotdogs, drinks, and ice cream. The children also enjoyed the moon bounce.

Roselle’s National Night Out was a huge success. We had over 400 people attend, from families with small children to our senior citizens. The evening enabled us to strengthen the bond between the police and the residents. Several new Neighborhood Watch groups have formed since that night. It was a great opportunity to demonstrate that a good time could be had while being drug and crime free.

Neighborhood Watch:
Neighborhood Watch is a community-based program that has been proven to deter crime. Started by the National Sheriffs’ Association in 1972, the Neighborhood Watch program unites law enforcement agencies, local organizations, and individual citizens in a community-wide effort to reduce crime. The program also breaks down the isolation of neighbors as they work together towards common goals. It is a remarkably successful anti-crime effort, as participants work as a true community- neighbor looking out for neighbor.

Pedestrian Safety:
This program was designed to teach both adults and children about the importance of safe walking and about motor vehicle laws concerning pedestrians. Classroom presentations were held in the elementary schools for the children. Handouts and giveaways, including pencils and glow-in-the-dark wrist bands, were given out. The New Jersey Department of Transportation Safety Cruiser was also used for educational purposes. The Safety Cruiser is a reconfigured NJ Transit bus that shows safety videos and gives out safe walking materials.

Police and Teens:
The Police and Teens Program is a collaborative effort between the Roselle Police Department, the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, and Abraham Clark High School. The program was created to bring youth and law enforcement officers together in a one-on-one setting to build communication, understanding, and mutual trust. Students learn about the police officer on both a professional and personal level. The students are taught about the job of a police officer to bring about an understanding of what officers do and why they do it. The classes culminate in a practical exercise where the students switch roles and become the police officers. Through this experience the students understand about police officer jobs and the officers gain insight into the mind-set of a teenager.

Project Graduation:
Historically graduation night has been the most dangerous night for teenagers because of the drinking usually associated with this rite of passage. Project Graduation addresses this risk by providing an all-night party and celebration for Abraham Clark High School seniors that is substance free. The Roselle Police Department attends brainstorming meeting throughout the year and advises the school on safety matters associated with the evening. Officers also escort the buses to the secret location and attend Project Graduation Night.

Public Safety Day:
Public Safety Day is an event where members from the Roselle Police Department, Roselle Fire Department, and surrounding agencies come together to promote safety in the community. Held at Warinanco Park, residents can see emergency vehicles, meet officers from the different departments, and receive free safety materials and giveaways.

Reading Programs:
Officers read to children at the Roselle Public Library as well as the elementary schools. The library program was designed for children who are visiting the library during scheduled times. The officer will read age appropriate books on safety and discuss them with the children afterwards.

The school based program was designed to bring the officer into the classroom in a positive environment. The officer reads during Read Across America Week and on Dr. Seuss’ birthday.

Roselle Youth and Family Collaborative Meetings:
Officers attend the Youth and Family Collaborative meetings as liaisons to the police department. We work together to promote violence awareness and child safety.

Red Ribbon Week:
Red Ribbon Week is the oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in the country. It serves as a vehicle for communities and individuals to take a stand for the hopes and dreams of our children through a commitment to drug prevention and education and a personal commitment to live drug free lives with the ultimate goal being the creation of drug free America. And, perhaps more importantly, Red Ribbon Week commemorates the ultimate sacrifice made by DEA Special Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, who died at the hands of drug traffickers in Mexico while fighting the battle against illegal drugs to keep our country and children safe.

Last year Red Ribbon Week was celebrated October 20-28, 2007. The Roselle Police Department, the Everett Hatcher Alliance, and the Roselle schools commemorated this year’s Red Ribbon Week through various activities. All Roselle students were given red ribbons to wear, which symbolized their pledge to remain drug free. The elementary school children were given drug free coloring books to learn about substance abuse in an informative, yet non-threatening, manner. The Junior High students participated in a week long, drug free, celebration. They had numerous activities including writing anti-drug essays. The week culminated with a balloon launch. Attached to each helium balloon was a card stating the drug free pledge of the students. In addition to school activities, all residents of Roselle were invited to participate in the Union County Red Ribbon Day in Cranford, NJ.

Through the efforts of all who organized and ran the Red Ribbon events, our programs reached over 2000 Roselle students. Programs were run in all schools from kindergarten to the 12th grade. Prizes, including pencils, pens, calculators, mini-basketballs, and t-shirts, were distributed to students. All prizes displayed a drug-free pledge.

Risks and Consequences Program:
Developed for the middle school aged child, this program discusses how negative behavior affects all aspects of life. The program involves students and teachers in role playing scenarios which demonstrate, first hand, the feelings associated with negative behavior. Students are taught alternatives to using inappropriate manners.

School Search Policy Seminar:
Officers conduct an in-service class for staff members of Abraham Clark High School on school searches. Schools are explained what the police department can and cannot do in specific school situations and settings.

Senior Safety Seminars:
The Senior Safety Seminars began in 2003 with the purpose to increase the awareness of the potential crime problems faced by senior citizens. It also educates seniors in personal safety matters as well as fire and medical emergencies.

Stranger Danger:
Stranger Danger is a program that teaches students the hazards of talking to or approaching strangers. It is taught by police officers to kindergarten and first grade students. The program utilizes videos with cartoons and puppets to minimize fear but to convey the importance of the topic. Children are given coloring books to later reinforce the subject and are also given safety pamphlets to bring home to the parents. The students are given a “homework assignment” in which they are to learn their address and phone number. Upon the officer’s return to the class a few week later, the students a given an award and prize for completing their assignment.

Teacher In-Service Gang Programs:
The In-Service Gang Program was designed to give teachers a basic understanding of gangs. Topics included are gang tag and writing recognition, gang terminology, and an introduction to different gangs. Pictures of gang tags and graffiti found in Roselle are displayed. Teachers are also given examples of gang symbols and letters that they may recognize in their students assignments.

Terrorism/September 11th Program:
After September 11th several schools expressed an interest in having a program dedicated to remembering September 11th and its effect on the country. A program was designed to teach about terrorism and how it affects Roselle as a community. Personal accounts and photographs were brought into the classroom and children were allowed to ask questions about the event.

Violence Awareness Week:
Violence Awareness Week is held in October of every year. The police department works together with the schools to promote the elimination of violence in our community. Lessons are taught in individual classrooms as well as in large group settings. Police officers talk to students and the schools have brought in convicts to deter students from taking the wrong path in life.

Youth Safety Day:
Youth Safety Day is a program held at various community events where officers from the police department meet with the residents to discuss concerns and problems of the youth of Roselle. Discussions are held with both the adults and juveniles on how the police department can work with the children to form a better understanding and relationship between them. Videos and handouts are used to encourage the children to learn about safety.