Crime & Safety

Wyckoff Police Win Traffic Safety Award

Of the hundreds of municipalities in Bergen, Essex and Passaic eligible to receive this AAA award for keeping local roads safe, only 28 — including Wyckoff — took home the plaque.

The Wyckoff Chief of Police and township officials praised the police department's traffic bureau Monday night for its community road safety program.

The traffic department, once again, received the award from AAA of North Jersey, which annually recognizes police programs in Bergen, Passaic and Essex counties. 

Chief Benjamin Fox said it was a "distinct pleasure and honor" to present the award to the committee on behalf of the traffic department.

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"The average citizen will probably have some involvement with the police department in a traffic matter probably more than anything else," Fox said. "Traffic enforcement and everything that comes along with it is extremely important."

Fox said that of the hundreds of municipalities considered for the award only 28 received this level of accolade, which is given for keeping pedestrians and motorists on the roadways safe.

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"I'm proud of my guys for their efforts in traffic safety, and it extends even beyond these three officers here," Fox said. "It's really every officer we have there on the streets that do what they do on a a daily basis to keep the streets safe."

The Wyckoff Police Department's traffic bureau consists of Lt. Charlie Van Dyk, Sgt. Bob Mackay, Sgt. Jack McEwan and Patrolman Brian Zivkovich.

Van Dyk, who Fox called his second in command, fills out "an enormous amount of paper work" and oversees the bureau.

Mackay manages the department's traffic sign board and radar details, Fox said: "He's the guy that when the residents are screaming that somebody is speeding down their street, he's the guy who gets those traffic details set up."

Sgt. Jack McEwan and Patrolman Brian Zivkovich are in charge of the Alcotest machine and filing accident reports, Fox said.

McEwan did not attend the Monday night event at town hall.

"We are proud of all you guys," Mayor Chris DePhillips said. "We know how hard you work in the community and you deserve this."

Committeeman Kevin Rooney, who said he's had the privilege of attending AAA award ceremonies over the past three years, said he's seen jealousy in the eyes of neighboring communities.

"That's a true benefit to our community because it's well respected and [the neighboring communities] are now striving to be Wyckoff," Rooney said.

Have a question or news tip? Contact editor Joseph M. Gerace at Joseph.Gerace@patch.com, or find us on Facebook and Twitter. For news straight to your inbox every morning, sign up for our daily newsletter.


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