See what we've been up to! Read the stories about some of our runs that appear in the Verona Observer Police Blotter!
Blotter Stories

Fire Department asks for a new ladder truck Several members of the Verona Fire Department attended the council meeting Monday night to present research on a new ladder truck the department would like the township to purchase. The town’s 25-year-old ladder truck no longer complies with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards according to Assistant Fire Chief Charlie Magatti. In the last several years, $30,000 has been spent on maintenance on the old vehicle. Jeff Hayes, a member of the fire department as well as the township’s emergency services coordinator, said that the down time is worse than the money spent. Read More

Published 4/9/2008

Fire department keeping busy The Verona Fire Department has had a full schedule of calls for the last month. Verona Fire Department equipment and personnel helped with the Francos Pizza fire in West Caldwell last month. A brush fire drill was conducted during which Section Chief Kevin Drake of the NJ Forest Fire Service discussed techiques for fighting urban interface brush fires. Last week there was a fire on the rood of Verona High School. Saturday night there was a small brush fire at Verona Park which was extinquished quickly. Read More

Published 4/1/2008

Reducing ‘weight’ time for first responders The biggest threat to Verona Fire Department Chief Larry Burdett is actually something ice cold. It sits in his freezer, preying on him one delicious scoop at a time before bed. For Burdett, ice cream is his lifestyle choice that gets in the way of healthy living. He is not alone among local first responders who are tempted by snacks. Wanting to do something about it, the Verona Rescue Squad challenged the VFD to a weight loss competition earlier this month. Now the two groups, used to saving lives together, will try saving themselves by working against each other. Read More

Published 8/8/2007

Cedar Grove woman dies in fire After they were awakened by the shrill wail of their smoke detector early yesterday, Nick and Marge Fierro rushed out of their bedroom to the first floor of their Cedar Grove home. As her husband left the burning home to ask a neighbor to call 911, the 73-year-old woman turned back to retrieve a pair of shoes, neighbors said. She never made it out. Read More

Published 1/25/2007

Hangar roof catches fire FAIRFIELD TWP. An airplane hangar fire alarm alerted police at about 3:54 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 8 to the Essex County Airport on Passaic Avenue, police said. Upon arrival, officers discovered the old wooden hangar filled with heavy smoke and flames coming from the roof of the building, said Deputy Chief James High. Read More

Published 12/16/2006

Fire destroys Verona home Officials said a lightning strike is to blame for a fire that broke out at a Mount Prospect Avenue home around 4:35 p.m. Saturday. Upon arrival there was heavy smoke coming from the roof line, said Verona Fire Chief Harvey Goodman, describing the scene when he arrived. It hit the chimney and took some of it. Read More

Published 7/26/2006

Violent storm strikes area As of this morning, police departments, township employees and PSE&G were working to clean up and restore power to areas affected by Tuesday nights severe storms. Read More

Published 7/19/2006

Gilbert A. Hill, 86, firefighter, inspector, first-aider in Verona Gilbert A. Hill, 86, of Verona died yesterday in the New Jersey Firemans Home in Boonton. Read More

Published 6/27/2006

Fire Destroys Verona Family's Home, Pet Killed Fire destroyed a home at 69 Fairway Ave. in Verona last Thursday, May 19. According to Police Chief Douglas Huber, a painter working in the neighborhood reported the blaze at 11:16 a.m. The Verona police and fire departments, and rescue squad all responded. West Orange, Cedar Grove and North Caldwell emergency personnel also provided assistance. The fire was contained in less than an hour, he said. Read More

Published 5/26/2005

Resident Is Rescued After Jump From Water Tower NORTH CALDWELL - For about 90 minutes, a North Caldwell resident hung upside down after jumping from a Hilltop water tower in Verona and becoming wedged in the tower's support stanchions, police said. Read More

Published 3/17/2005

Area Firefighters, Police Officer Rescue Man From Tower A man who tried to hang himself from a water tower at the Hilltop Reservation was saved Monday after he spent nearly two hours dangling dozens of feet above the ground. Read More

Published 3/17/2005

Verona Fires Up New Engine The Verona Fire Department has received its new 2003 Pierce Lance fire engine. The [black] and gold truck [...] replaces Company 1's 1982 Pierce Arrow on the front line. Read More

Published 4/7/2004

Verona Fire Department Planning New Memorial The Verona Township Council recently recognized the bravery and service of past and present township firefighters by pledging its support for a new Firemen's Memorial at Firehouse No. 1. Read More

Published 12/17/2003

Firefighters from Verona, Cedar Grove, Caldwell, North Caldwell and Fairfield responded Tuesday afternoon to a burning building at the Hilltop property in Verona. Read More

Published 6/14/2001

No Injuries reported in Hilltop property fire A fire in an abandoned three story building on Sanitorium Road on the Hilltop property burned for more than three hours before being brought under control, authorities reported yesterday. Read More

Published 6/13/2001

Edgecomb Accepts Donated Fire Truck The Edgecomb Fire Department was the recipient of a fire truck Saturday morning, March 17, donated to the department by Steve Fenton. Read More

Published 5/22/2001