SERVING HILLSIDE SINCE 1924 Vol. 63 No. 4 1 The Hillside Times, hriilay. tVinher I3. I984 (USPS 245-780) 923-9207 Price 2 5 1 Block Associations Meet With Police Officials About Crime Problem In Township Seek More Aggressive Enforcement By Officers A meeting between local block association "In the early I980's, active block watch tion Group are trained to work specifically take" is necessary in dealing with disruptive representatives and officers from the Hillside programs were successful in Hillside," with block watch groups. behavior in the street. “ What is permissible Police Department conducted on October I Bryson pointed out. "During this time, a Township Committeeman Ralph Milteer, behavior to discourage crime? What is the indicated that residents in the neighbor hoods Crime Prevention Group was initiated by the who was present at the meeting, said that b^st way to show resistance and force without bordering on Newark are concerned about in­ Hillside Police Department that aided these dispatch policies at the police department having to call the police? What is the best way creased crime in their area and feel the pro­ efforts." The Crime Prevention Group still should be clarified or changed to enhance a homeowner can protect his property himself blem is so crucial that they would “ do exists and will provide Security Surveys to communication with the public. “ Sometimes and still stay within legal limits?” he asked. whatever is possible to regain law and order block associations and individual homeowners people call the police about a street distur­ “ People in Hillside call the police and still in the street." to help make areas safer and less appealing bance and the police want the caller's name get brutalized," said China Walker, “ People A group of more than 30 representatives to would-be criminals. and address," he said, "People don't want have done all the things that police suggest from block associations on Bay view Terrace, The Captain also said that residents have to give their names for fears of repercussions they do, yet there is no noticeable result. We Crescent Avenue, Leslie Street, Stanley Ter­ to be more attentive to activities in their from area criminals. " have become tired of this." race, Conklin Avenue and Compton Terrace neighborhoods, to “ learn the normal patters" Bryson said that people are not required to It was pointed out that crime rate statistics met at the Emmanual Baptist Church on in their areas, to "keep an eye on our give their names when they call the police and are actually down in 1989 from last year. Chancellor Avenue in Newark to express their children." the desire for anonymity would be respected. Figures from the first five months of the year fears and concerns to Hillside police officials Bryson stressed that the police department However, he did admit that department indicate that Robbery and Assault are up, but and find out what options and resources were "wants to be responsive to the community," guidelines could be redefined to cut back on Burglary, Theft and Motor Vehicle Theft are Monica Cirksey (third from the right) receives a Hillside Lions Club certificate of ap- available to their crime-fighting efforts. and will help groups to organize their efforts. the intimidation levels of citizens calling the doV,n, resulting in a 5.4% decrease in the preciaiton from club President Louis A. Santagata for her assistance as a Leo Club member Captain John Bryson, representing Police Pointing out the geographical location of police. overall crime index. In the first five months in working with the Lions Club Eye/Earmobile at the Hillside Health Fair. She handled Chief George Shelbourne. addressed the Hillside and its effect on the crime rate. The audience said that police patrol efforts of 1989 in Hillside, there were 49 robberies, much of the registration for the eye examinations. Newly-elected Leo President Tirzah meeting and fielded questions, comments and Bryson said “ holding the line against the in high crime areas should be stepped up, that 178 assaults. 105 burglaries, 290 thefts, and Spann is with her. Superintendent of Schools Rose Stahnten added her congratulations, suggestions from the active and outspoken au­ crime rate so close to Newark and Elizabeth officers should do more to disperse groups of 184 motor vehicle thefts. At the extreme right is Eugene Langbein, Leo faculty advisor. Arnold H. McClow, Lions dience. Bryson said that he was "encourag­ is difficult, but Hillside is doing better than youths on street corners. Mr Gilbert felt that comparing crime liaison to the Leo Club is at the left. ed by the expression of wanting to get involv­ most communities." Robert Gilbert. Republican candidate for statistics of 1989 to those of 1988 were “ not ed ." displayed by the group, and said that Bryson finished his formal remarks by say­ the Hillside Township Committee, said that truly telling of the severity of the crime pro­ block watch efforts would be supported and ing that "law enforcement is a cooperation in his experience with crime problems when blem in Hillside," saying that comparison of aided by his department between the police and the community." and he was active in the Leslie Street Block 1989 figures to those of five years ago would emphasized that officers in the Crime Preven­ Association he found that a “ certain give and reveal a “ tremendous increase" in crime Lions Honor High School Students trends. "With this in mind, we need much more than the encouragement of block associations," he said. Board Considers Agenda For Next Week’s Meeting A woman in the audience felt that police Rose S. Stahnten, Superintendent of in teaching methods are signs of progress. patrols in the neighborhoods bordering on Schools, exhibited an optimistic outlook on Mrs. Stahnten asserted that the schools are Newark are insufficient. "I was mugged in the school system in a fast moving talk before geared to multi cultural needs and to prepar­ The Hillside Board of Education met briefly In other financial business, the Board is ex­ Also at Monday s meeting, a discussion is this area and the only time I saw a police of­ the Hillside Lions Club at Casa Blanca. She ing students for leadership, with focus always in caucus session on Wednesday evening to pected to follow the recommendation of scheduled to update the After-School Child ficer is when I called them ," she said. called on all residents to have a good self- on the future. view the agenda of business matters that w ill Business Administrator/Board Secretary Mar­ Care Program. Several parents appeared at A man in the group hinted that vigilantism image of the town. “ It is a good communi­ Mrs. Stahnten praised service activity of the be addressed at the regular meeting of (hat tin J. Lynch next Monday evening and a recent meeting of the Board to express their may be the future of the neighborhoods in ty," she declared. Lions Club as among the many outstanding body next Monday evening at the Administra­ authorize the transfer of $5,000 from a cur­ confusion about the program, an adjunct ser qu't'jon. “ If the crime situation doesn’t im­ Schools reilea the society we Uye in, Mrs. attributes of the community, and she joined f tion Building. rent expense account covering Student Body vice provided to Hillside families whose usual p e l s soon, people will starting doing Stahnten noted, with television and other in­ in a chib tribute to Monica Cirksey, Leo Club It is expected that the Board will request Activities to the Athletic Account. home routines are disrupted by the district whftever they have to to protect their fluences providing both good and bad. Secretary, as an example of service to others, from the township of Hillside a sum in the It is also expected that the Board will per­ reorganization plan and its busing program. homes," he said, “ And the feeling of many She pointed to the stability of staff and good for which the Lions and Lionesses and Leo amount of $895,823.50 to meet the obliga­ mit use of the George Washington and Hurden Those parents were not fully aware of the pro­ people is: sometimes you have to break the test scores as indications of the high ranking Club activity stand. The Lions sponsor the tions of the school district for the upcoming LtHiker school gymnasiums for use by the Girl gram, they explained, due to insufficient law to protect yourself." of the school system. Networking and changes Leos at Hillside High School. eight week period. If the request is granted, Scouts. The group will utilize the George publicity about it. Several parents said they Another man offered the idea of employ­ the Treasurer of School Moneys will receive Washington facility on Mondays for its did not receive the letter sent home to parents ing auxiliary security forces to assist police that amount from the township to cover regular meetings. Hurden Looker will be us­ of school district students. in this part of town. The man said that the operating expenses excluding debt service ed for a one-time,event on October 28. 1989. To appease the concerns of parents, the security forces could be paid, or volunteer, “ A Contradiction requirements. Board made a second mailing and placed a and would provide valuable help in law en­ public notice in The Hillside Times explain­ forcement efforts. ing the after-school program, which is con­ "Security has better credibility than your In Public Safety” ducted by the Union Y. average citizen.“ he said, "They would always be on the scene, constantly reporting Five Public Questions To Appear Despite this second effort to contact the In the past, but apparently not so much these days, Hillside high school football games concerned parents, no additional enrollment in to police.