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Author: City of Linden

Cyber Tip – Using Strong Passwords and a Password Manager

Many users connect to the internet and access multiple accounts and services for business, including email platforms, applications, and vendor websites. The increased use of online accounts and services, combined with users engaging in risky password management practices, puts both themselves and their employers at risk of account compromise and data breaches. Therefore, it is important to practice good password hygiene to protect accounts and data.

Strong, unique passwords for each account help prevent password reuse attacks in which threat actors obtain the password for one account and use it to compromise an additional account using the same credentials. Threat actors succeed when users reuse credentials across multiple accounts, use easy-to-guess or simple passwords, and do not enable multi-factor authentication (MFA). Strong, unique passwords help secure information, networks, servers, devices, accounts, databases, files, and more against cyberattacks.

Password managers are an effective method to assist users in creating strong, unique passwords and storing them securely. These accounts should be secured with unique and complex master passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA) using an authentication app or hardware token. Password managers contain sensitive data and, therefore, require implementing the strongest possible security measures. Users are encouraged to research password manager providers thoroughly prior to use.

Social Media – A Scammer’s Playground

According to reports received by the FTC Consumer Sentinel Network, scammers are leveraging social media platforms to generate substantial profits. New data released by the FTC reveals that scams originating on social media have resulted in $2.7 billion in reported losses since 2021, surpassing all other contact methods.

Social media gives scammers an unprecedented advantage at little to no expense, reaching billions of users worldwide. They can easily create a fake persona, hack into profiles, pretend to be the user to deceive contacts, and spread misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation. Scammers learn to tailor their approach to what users share on social media. Furthermore, scammers may place ads using tools available to advertisers, systematically targeting users based on personal details like age, interests, or past purchases.

Image Source: FTC
Image Source: FTC

In the first half of 2023, social media was the contact method for over 38 percent of fraud cases reported by people aged 20-29.  For people aged 18-19, that figure was 47 percent. The numbers decrease with age, consistent with generational differences in social media use. Data indicates that, while online shopping scams have the highest number of cases, the most significant monetary losses are due to scams that promote fraudulent investment opportunities via social media. More than half of the money lost to social media fraud resulted from investment scams. Additionally, there has been an increase in romance and investment scams, commonly referred to as “pig butchering.” These scammers often advertise their fake investment successes and try to entice users to invest in fake websites and apps.

Social media users should set stringent security settings for social media accounts and critically evaluate sources of information consumed, seeking reliable and verified information. Verify information before sharing posts, clicking links, or promoting the post’s content, including familiar and shared contacts. Bait-and-switch posts often originate from pages that are not associated with a specific individual, have comments turned off, and are relatively vague in the descriptions used in the post. 

Dancing For Cancer Awareness

Mayor Derek Armstead, the City of Linden and the Department of Parks & Recreation present Pink Thursday Afterwork Dancing for Cancer Awareness.  

  • What: Pink Thursday Afterwork Dancing for Cancer Awareness. Free mammogram and prostate information. Tony Touch and Dawn Tallman will be performing. DJ’s Tamir, Soulfingers and Robert Andrew will play Latin dance music and Afro dance music.
  • Where: Raymond Wood Bauer Promenade, which is located at 400 North Wood Avenue.
  • When: Thursday, October 12, 2023 at 5pm until 9pm.
  • How: Free event.

Al Kalla Park Project

The Al Kalla Park Project represents a substantial investment of $2.3 million, specifically crafted to overcome the park’s previous limitations, particularly its reduced playability during inclement weather conditions. Previously, even relatively moderate weather events would frequently necessitate the suspension of activities for extended periods. To make this ambitious project a reality, the City of Linden was fortunate to secure a $2.1 million Legislative Grant from Senate President Nicholas Scutari’s office, which has been instrumental in making this transformative enhancement a possibility.

The core of this project involves the construction of a brand-new, official-sized multi-use football and soccer field. This modern facility will be fully fenced for enhanced safety and will feature protective netting on both sides to contain errant balls and ensure spectator safety. Crucially, state of the art direct lighting will be installed, enabling extended play into the evening hours and significantly increasing the field’s operational time. Click here to view a rendering of the project.

The project management responsibilities have been entrusted to Applied Landscape, a firm known for its expertise in such large-scale recreational developments. The design and engineering aspects were meticulously handled by Suburban Consultant Engineers, ensuring a robust and functional outcome.

Beyond simply providing a new playing surface, the AlKalla Park Project is expected to yield substantial benefits. It will lead to a dramatic increase in the park’s utilization, as the new infrastructure will eliminate concerns about play stoppage due to flooding. This resilience will ensure consistent availability for sporting events, practices, and community gatherings, regardless of weather fluctuations.

Barring any unforeseen work stoppages or delays, the anticipated completion date for this transformative project is set for Christmas 2025. This timely completion will offer a valuable new recreational asset to the community, enhancing local sports programs and providing a high-quality venue for athletic pursuits.

This project is the first of three phases established to rehabilitate Al Kalla Park.

2023 Latin Festival

Mayor Derek Armstead, the City of Linden, Uptown Linden Inc. and the Department of Parks & Recreation are pleased to host 2023 Latin Festival.

Click here to view and/or download the informational flyer for this event.

  • Who: Fun for all ages.
  • What: Latin Festival, bringing the Latin Community together for one big event! Come and enjoy live music, food, vendors, the beer and mixed drink tent, DJ and Karaoke, a dance contest and more!
  • Where: Raymond Wood Bauer Promenade, which is located at 400 North Wood Avenue.
  • When: Saturday, October 21, 2023 from 11am until 6pm.
  • How: For more information, call Mikki at 908-718-5831 or email here.

Notice of Land Sale

Notice is hereby given that the listed City owned property, described below, will be taken up for final consideration by open public sale at auction to the highest bidder. The sale shall take place in the Planning Board Room 3rd floor at the City Hall, 301 North Wood Avenue, Linden NJ 07036 on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at 10am, or as soon thereafter as the matter can be reached. Click here to view and/or download a hardcopy of this notice.

Such sale is subject to term and conditions established by resolution, by the City of Linden and printed below.

StreetNumberBlockLotApproximate
Dimensions		Minimum
Price		Zone
Dill Avenue101195282.86 ft x 54.63 ft$200,000R2-B

THE LAND IS BEING SOLD “AS IS”.

THE PROPERTY IS SUBJECT TO ALL THE APPLICABLE ZONING AND LAND USE REGULATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE CITY OF LINDEN. THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR COMPLIANCE WITH SAME, TO OBTAIN ANY AND ALL NECESSARY PERMITS OR APPROVAL AND SHALL COMPLY WITH ALL OTHER REQUIREMENTS OF THE CITY OF LINDEN RELATING TO THE PROPERTY.

THE CITY MAKES NO REPRESENTATION AS TO ANY PROPERTY BEING BUILDABLE. IF VARIANCES ARE REQUIRED BY A BIDDER TO DEVELOP ANY PROPERTY, BIDDER MUST APPLY FOR SAME AND COMPLY WITH ALL REQUIREMENTS OF THE CITY ZONING ORDINANCES AND THE MUNICIPAL LAND USE LAW N.J.S.A. 40A:55D-1 ET SEQ.

Linden Police Citizen’s Academy

Click here to view and/or download the informational flyer for the Linden Police Citizen’s Academy.

  • Who: Open to city employees, business owners and school faculty within the City of Linden who are over the age of 21.
  • What: The Linden Police Citizen’s Academy will provide informational classroom and hands-on training, with members of the Linden Police Department as instructors. Participants will have the opportunity to become familiar with the day-to-day operations of their police department. Participants will be provided with an overview of the Department’s organization, structure and training.
  • Where: Linden Police Department, which is located at 301 North Wood Avenue
  • When: Wednesdays, from 5:30pm until 9:30pm
    • October 25
    • November 1, 8 and 29
    • December 6 and 13
    • Click here for the class agenda.
  • How: Applications available in-person at the Linden Police Department, which is located at 301 North Wood Avenue. For more information, contact Det/Sgt. Christian Ramirez by email here. Space is limited. Fifteen (15) spots for the Adacemy are available on a first-come, first-servce basis.

Notice RE Special Meeting of the Linden Rent Leveling Board

A special meeting of the Linden Rent Leveling Board has been scheduled for Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at 7pm to be held at 301 North Wood Avenue, Linden, NJ, Planning Board Room, 3rd Floor. The purpose of the meeting is as follows:

  • Updated CPI Index
  • NW Financial Group, LLC.

The Special Meeting was called pursuant to the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act. Notice of this meeting was sent via email to the Local Source, The Star Ledger and the Home News Tribune on Wednesday, September 27, 2023. In addition, copies of this notice were posted on the bulletin board in City Hall and the Municipal Website.

STEM Program

Mayor Derek Armstead, the City of Linden, and the Department of Parks & Recreation are pleased to offer a seven-week STEM program, hosted by Little Ivy Academy.

  • Who: For ages 6 through 12 years old.
  • What: STEM Program hosted by Little Ivy Academy. The STEM Program is created for elementary and middle school graders of all skill levels! The program opens the door to hands-on digital creation. This generates crafting functional plots and environments for game-play and story-telling.
  • Where: Linden Multi-Purpose Center, which is located at 1025 John Street.
  • When: Monday, September 25 through November 13, from 4pm to 5:30pm.
    • No class on October 9, 2023.
  • How: Free program. To view full class description and register online, click here. For more information, email here or call 908-474-8639. In-person registration is available 9am – 4pm at the JTG Center (330 Helen Street) or the Linden Multi-Purpose Center (1025 John Street). Online registration is available 24/7.