The Essex Observer The Essex County COMMUNITY JUSTICE UNIT NEWSLETTER Prosecutor’s Office VOLUME THREE • WINTER 2009 50 W. Market St., Newark, NJ 07102 • (973) 621-4700 • www.njecpo.org “The dedicated staff of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office handles approximately ECPO Homicide Squad Gets one quarter of all criminal prosecutions in the state and deserves the best accom- modations to perform their duties. With this new office space and our state of the New Space art crime scene facility, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Homicide Squad has come full circle to function in a more proficient and professional manner,” Prosecutor Busiest Office in the State Comes Full Circle Dow said. The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Squad recently moved into Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura recognized the difficult job of the homicide new office space on the fourth floor of the Essex County Veteran’s Courthouse. squad. “The work you do is overwhelming. You deserve these new quarters and The new space allows the Homicide Squad to be consolidated in one central thanks to Joe DiVincenzo and Paula Dow, you now have them,” said Fontoura. location. The 7,500 square foot office space includes conference and interrogation rooms, a reception area and secure rooms to store evidence and records. New Prosecutor Dow named the conference room in the honor of David Martinez. furniture, lighting, carpeting air conditioning and ventilation systems were installed to Martinez served as Chief of Detectives for the Prosecutor’s Office until his death in provide comfortable and clean working conditions. 2002. Students Receive Message of Safety: Stop, Alert an Adult, Focus and Evacuate “What do I do if someone shoots at me?” asked a small boy in the fourth grade. His question is one that no child should have to ask. On May 29, 2008, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Community Justice Unit held an anti-violence assembly at Madison Avenue School in Newark to address the concerns and issues of students and faculty. Continued on Page 7 Chief of Detectives, Anthony Ambrose, First Assistant Prosecutor, Carolyn Murray, Essex County Sheriff, Armando Fontoura, Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo and U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie join Prosecutor Paula Dow in the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new homicide squad office. Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo, U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie and Essex County Prosecutor Paula T. Dow celebrated the grand opening of the Homicide Squad’s new and improved office space. Joyce Wilson Harley Esq., Essex County Administrator welcomed the audience to the dedication ceremony. “Today we have a fantastic opportunity to put Essex County first. We have the best Prosecutor in the state and our County Executive has given her the tools and support she needs to get the job done. You can’t get today’s job done with yesterday’s tools,” said Harley. Sergeant Andre Robinson speaks to students about staying safe. “The opening of these offices is another step forward in our initiative to provide modern accommodations for our employees to perform their public duties. Essex County has the busiest prosecutor’s office in the state and creating this space INSIDE THIS ISSUE: will address overcrowding and help the homicide squad conduct its investigations NEW CHIEF ANTHONY AMBROSE IS WELCOMED .........................Pg 2 with more efficiency and effectiveness,” DiVincenzo said. “We are pleased to work SPOTLIGHT ON JACK FARRELL ...................................................Pg 3 cooperatively with Prosecutor Dow and Assignment Judge Patricia Costello to AwaRD WINNERS.......................................................................Pg 4 transform our Essex County Complex into the best in the state,” he continued. V.I.P.E.R. IS INTRODUCED ...........................................................Pg 7 U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie described the new office as being “first class.” PEDESTRIAN SAFETY PROGRAM ................................................Pg 8 “I’m thrilled with the facilities. This is what a first rate team deserves,” added Christie. Welcome Chief Anthony Ambrose Anthony Ambrose III, a law enforcement officer for administrative changes. Upon entering the Investiga- the past 23 years recently joined the Essex County tory Unit at ECPO’s headquarters; you are greeted by Prosecutors Office as Chief of Detectives. Chief bright lights, egg shell colored walls and the Essex Ambrose’s career began back in 1986, where he County Prosecutor’s Office emblem. Gone are the worked the streets as a police officer for the City of days of dim lighting and beige walls. “I changed the Newark. “I enjoyed being a street cop. Every hour hall, because it looked the same way it did nearly and every day was different from the next. It didn’t 23 years ago, when I came here as a cop,” suggested become stagnant and I enjoyed working with various Chief Ambrose. “The appearance of an office is impor- types of people,” said Ambrose. A native of Newark, tant. It shows employees that you care.” Ambrose had aspirations of becoming a cop since the Under Chief Ambrose’s leadership; a new unit was PROSECUTOR’S age of 5. created that combined the efforts of both the nar- MESSAGE cotics and gang units into one unit; known as VIPER: Violence Interdiction/Intelligence Prosecution Eradica- Thank you for reading the third issue of the tion & Recidivism Unit. The new unit was designed to Essex Observer Newsletter. It’s an exciting dismantle street gangs and drug organizations. time for the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office! As a way to ensure that Detectives handle their cases We’re making many upgrades to better serve correctly and develop rapport; Ambrose instituted reg- the people of Essex County. In addition to our ularly scheduled case conferences with all detectives; state of the art Crime Scene Unit, we recently independent from their supervisors. All supervisors opened new offices for our Homicide Squad. have been equipped with Blackberry cell phones as a These offices will equip the men and women more effective tool for communicating at all hours. who investigate murders with better tools Two detectives from the crime scene unit were to perform their duties. Our Gang Unit has Anthony Ambrose, Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of Detectives recently trained as ballistic specialists; which is some- combined forces with our Narcotics Unit and thing that has never occurred within the office before. Technical Services Unit to reduce gun violence Over the next years Ambrose rose in rank within the As a way for detectives to become experienced in Newark Police Department. He served as a detective and narcotics distribution in Essex County. The all aspects of law enforcement; Ambrose introduced within the narcotics, robbery intelligence and homi- new unit known as VIPER will also serve to “rotation training,” where Detectives work in various cide units. In 1994, he was promoted to Sergeant and units within the office. help rid the streets of dangerous street gangs later served as an instructor in the police academy. and drug organizations. Ambrose served as an Internal Affairs Investigator, Ambrose also created a six month pilot program Anthony Ambrose III was recently appoint- Special Assistant, then becoming Chief of Police where ECPO Detective, Ivellise Mueller will act as a ed Chief of Detectives to our office. Chief and Police Director before joining the Essex County liaison to the Newark Police Department. Detective Ambrose has 23 years of law enforcement Sheriff’s Department in 2006. Mueller will work to obtain all documents related to trials, Grand Jury proceedings and hearings. experience. His leadership abilities and com- As a member of the Essex County Sheriff’s Depart- “Newark is our biggest customer. It’s important mitment will propel our office to a higher level ment; Ambrose held positions as Deputy Office of that we have someone down there with access to of achievement and service. In this issue, you Emergency Management Coordinator and Undersher- evidence, reports and tapes. Trials have been post- will read about the accomplishments that our iff for Field Operations. Armed with vast law enforce- poned because detectives were on vacation and no employees have made in their professional ment experience, Anthony Ambrose III was named one was able to retrieve evidence. I’m very grateful and personal lives. You will read about some Chief of Detectives for the Essex County Prosecutor’s that the police director has given us office space and of our recent convictions and how our Victim Office in January 2008. the access to get things done,” added Chief Ambrose. Witness Unit honored victims of crime. “Mr. Ambrose is regarded as a hard-working pro- In looking towards the future; Chief Ambrose We recently hosted the County Prosecutor’s fessional, who brings a wealth of experience and is envisions a countywide homicide taskforce where Association of New Jersey’s 2008 Conference, highly respected in the law enforcement community,” detectives from various municipal police departments which featured workshops on crime scene said Essex County Prosecutor, Paula T. Dow. “I have would ban together to help solve homicide cases. investigations and utilizing forensics for no doubt that his leadership abilities and commitment Chief Ambrose wants to see more detectives involved trials. I was recently sworn in as President of to excellence will propel this office to an even higher in computer imaging, increased staffing in the corrup- the New Jersey County Prosecutor’s Asso- level of achievement and service to the citizens of tion unit and a tracking system implemented in the ciation. In this position, I will be responsible Essex County.” Professional Standards Unit to identify problematic for coordinating monthly forums with all 21 As Chief of Detectives, Ambrose is responsible for officers quickly. county prosecutors to discuss criminal justice directing the day to day operations of the Essex “I am deeply honored and excited about joining this policies and procedures.