Police Warn Residents to be Cautious With Solicitors

The Police Department advises residents to be wary of solicitors who come to their doors, as the police have little authority over their actions.

Chief Benjamin Fox said the police cannot stop nonprofit solicitors from coming to homes or pre-approve their activities, as authorities once did. Previously, the police had solicitors apply for permission to canvas neighborhoods, and a background check was conducted. Residents could then know that the stranger at the door had been approved by police, as they would carry a solicitation permit.

However, solicitors no longer have to abide by municipal regulations, based on a series of court rulings. No permit is issued, and a background check isn't completed, except in the case of those soliciting on behalf of for-profit businesses, who still need permits. Fox said the police will request that nonprofits let the authorities know of their presence in the township, and the chief will then advise them of the best times of day to solicit.

Not all comply, however. Fox said one group, the New Jersey Environmental Federation, has been soliciting after dark, which has prompted resident complaints to headquarters. Fox reports that efforts by the department and the township attorney to get the NJEF to keep its activities confined to daytime hours have been refused. Given that, there's little the police can do to restrict their movements through the neighborhoods.

Residents have said they feel uncomfortable dealing with the NJEF or other groups after dark. Fox advises all to be wary and let "their conscience be their guide in offering money to a person who comes to their home. If they have any concerns or fears about someone at their door they should contact the Wyckoff police."

• Two young men were arrested after police said they were caught racing at excessive speeds down Route 208.

At 1:20 a.m. May 20, Patrolman Terrance Murphy observed two Mazdas racing down the highway at 103 mph, police said. One motorist, George H. Colon, 21, of Ridgewood was stopped near Cedar Hill Avenue, and the other, Alexander K. Baval, 19, of Glen Rock was stopped by Hawthorne police further down Route 208.

Both were charged with racing on a highway and speeding. They are scheduled to appear in Municipal Court on June 24.

• A Covington Place resident reported a break-in on May 18, although nothing appeared to have been stolen.

The resident told police at 8:36 p.m. that a door leading into the home's basement was found standing open with a bent hinge, while another basement door was found pushed open. The break-in is thought to have occurred between May 16 and May 18.

• A Ridgewood man was charged with drunken driving on May 18 after exiting Route 208 north at Cedar Hill Avenue.

Police said Jay Egan, 19, took the exit at a high rate of speed at 3 a.m. and lost control of his car, crossing the dividing island. An investigation led to Egan being charged with DWI at the scene before coming back to headquarters for a breath test. Additional charges include DWI under the legal drinking age, careless driving and reckless driving.

Egan will appear in Municipal Court to answer the charges.

• Police also arrested a Midland Park man on drunken driving charges on May 15.

Paul B. Sinclair, 22, was driving erratically on Cedar Hill Avenue at 2:49 a.m. before entering Route 208, where he continued to swerve along the roadway, police said. He was stopped and subsequently arrested on a DWI charge following field sobriety tests. Additional charges include reckless driving and failure to maintain his lane of travel.

Sinclair will appear in Municipal Court on June 24.

• A township teenager was arrested on juvenile charges after police broke up an unsupervised party on May 14, police said.

Authorities had responded to residents' complaints at 9:30 a.m. which stated that groups of kids were running through yards in the area of Monroe Avenue and Frances Place. Responding police soon found a home where a party was taking place. Most of the estimated 30 teens present fled when police arrived, although the 17-year-old boy in charge of the home at the time was charged with making property available to minors to consume alcohol. Additionally, police found marijuana at the home.

The teen's case has been referred to Juvenile Court.