Hellwig Orders Halloween Accounting

Citizens’ concerns about incidents on Halloween have fueled an examination of all police reports, deployment of officers and other measures taken on Oct. 31, Public Safety Director Martin Hellwig said Thursday (Nov. 2, 2006).

One young man was assaulted and suffered a broken jaw. Other residents reported trespassers who refused to leave, extreme requests from so-called “trick-or-treaters” and other intimidating acts.

Hellwig said Police Chief Edward Santiago called the evening “relatively peaceful.”

Some incidents may not have been reported to police, Hellwig said.

“It is very important for citizens to report any suspicious activity,” he said. “Call the police to report not only suspicious activity but also unusual activity. Public safety must be a cooperative effort in order to be successful.”

The non-emergency number for police is 908-753-3131.

Hellwig said after hearing from residents about the Halloween incidents, he has requested a full report on police activity that evening.

--Bernice Paglia