Do you want to learn about bicycle safety? Come join us for the Linden Police Department Fifth Annual Bike Rodeo! Bike giveaway’s, helmet fittings, ice-cream truck, pizza and snacks! Sponsors include Andy’s Cycles, New Jersey Cycles, Walmart, and Pasquale’s Pizzeria IV.
Click here to view and/or download the informational flyer for this event.
Who: Open to all ages.
What: 2025 Bike Rodeo! Bike giveaway’s, helmet fittings, ice-cream truck, pizza and snacks!With the summer months ahead, bicycle safety is an important topic to discuss. Bring a decorated bicycle and helmet for a chance to win a prize! Join us for the Fastest Time Around the Pond Contest!
Where: Wilson Park, which is located at 1100 Summit Terrace.
When: Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at 3:30pm.
How: Free entry. With questions, contact the Traffic Bureau at 908-474-8505.
Linden Police to participate in Nationwide Click it or Ticket Enforcement and Education Campaign from May 19 through June 1, 2025. The Linden Police Department will join law enforcement officers from around the country in cracking down on unbuckled motorists and passengers as part of the national “Click it or Ticket” high-visibility enforcement effort.
Click here to view and/or download the memo regarding the 2025 Click it or Ticket Campaign.
Click here for more information about New Jersey seat belt laws.
The annual “Click It or Ticket” national mobilization, which coincides with the Memorial Day holiday, utilizes high visibility seat belt checkpoints and saturation patrols in combination with local and national publicity efforts to reiterate the life-saving value of seat belts.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 10,484 of the passengers killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2023 were not wearing seatbelts. While a national compliance rate near 92% seems high, the data reflects some concerning trends; 60% of the young adults killed and 56% of those killed in nighttime crashes were not buckled. “Putting on your seatbelt is the single most important step you can take when you get into a vehicle,” said Police Chief David Hart. “Taking just a few seconds to buckle up can cut your chances of being seriously hurt or killed in a crash by 45%, and it is 100% in your control.”
In New Jersey, everyone must be buckled up, regardless of where they’re sitting. A violation by the driver, front seat passenger, or passenger under the age of 18 is a primary offense, so a police officer may stop a vehicle and issue a ticket without witnessing any other violations. While passengers over the age of 18 are responsible for themselves, drivers are responsible for all passengers under the age of 18.
Mayor Derek Armstead, the City of Linden, the Linden Police Department and American Legion, are proud to offer this opportunity to learn CPR & AED operation from Certified First Responders. Registration is strictly limited, register today!
Click here to view and/or download the informational flyer for the CPR Training.
Who: Linden residents.
What: CPR training. This training focuses on practical application for people to use to potentially save the life of their family, friends, and loved ones. Please note that this training course does not provide any certification or certificate.
Everbridge is the company that owns Nixle, which the City of Linden uses to push critical alerts to Linden residents. Everbridge is deprecating the current legacy Nixle system in use, which means that residents will need to sign up to receive general and emergency notifications through Everbridge.
The new system includes enhanced features and customization, enabling residents to receive the messages they want and ignore the ones that are not relevant. It also allows residents to choose to receive information via text, email, push notifications, or all of the above!
Unfortunately, everyone will need to register for an Everbridge account, even if you are currently receiving Nixle alerts. The transition is expected to be completed on or about June 1, 2025, but there is no need to worry; all users will still receive Nixle alerts throughout the transition period.
Here’s what you’ll need to do:
Download and Install the Everbridge App directly from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android). The links will take you directly to the Everbridge App.
Register for an Everbridge account. You can find our organization by typing “07036” in the search bar and clicking on the Linden Police Department logo.
Login and manage your subscriptions under the “My Subscriptions ” tab.
You can also click here or on the button below to register directly on the Everbridge website.
Linden Police to Participate in “Put the Phone Down or Pay” Statewide Enforcement Action.
Linden Police Officers will join Officers from 158 police agencies across the state in a month-long enforcement campaign targeting distracted drivers. The “Put the Phone Down or Pay” campaign, which runs throughout the month of April, is aimed at saving lives and making New Jersey roadways safer.
The annual campaign takes place during Distracted Driving Awareness month and is meant to draw attention to the dangers of distracted driving. In addition to the enforcement campaign, the Division of Highway Traffic Safety has launched a public awareness campaign that includes public service announcements on New Jersey radio stations, social media messaging, and distribution of educational materials to educate and remind drivers about the dangers of distracted driving.
Distracted driving is a dangerous epidemic on our roadways; preliminary data shows that almost half of drivers involved in crashes in New Jersey last year were engaged in distracted behavior, which resulted in 160 deaths and more than 1,400 serious injuries.
Linden was awarded a $12,250 grant to support increased enforcement efforts, the maximum amount available. Other towns in Union County awarded grants include Cranford, Elizabeth, Plainfield, Rahway and Roselle Park.
In New Jersey, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle while using a handheld electronic device. Violating this law subjects motorists to fines of $200 to $400 for a first offense and could increase to $800 with the addition of three insurance points in subsequent violations.
Click here to view and/or download the NJSACOP Accreditation News Release.
Linden Mayor Derek Armstead and Police Chief David Hart announced today that the Linden Police Department has earned accreditation by the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP).
NJSACOP Accreditation Program Director Harry J. Delgado, Ed.S. attended the City Council meeting on Tuesday, March 18 and presented the Department with its first ever accreditation certificate.
During his remarks, Dr. Delgado praised the leadership of Chief Hart through the accreditation process. “Under the leadership of Chief Hart, a high level of competence, leadership and professionalism is evident within the agency. Leading a large police department through this rigorous process, despite the many challenges in law enforcement today: budgets, manpower and emerging technologies and to have no issues found is simply remarkable!”
The NJSACOP Accreditation Program is a nationally-certified program designed to enhance professionalism and transparency in the state’s public safety system. To earn accreditation, agencies must demonstrate compliance with one hundred and twelve (112) professional standards that reflect the best practices for law enforcement in the state of New Jersey. The process includes a comprehensive self-analysis of agency policy and operations that culminates with an independent, on-site audit conducted by a team of assessors.
“This accreditation stands as a powerful testament to the enduring hard work and professionalism that have defined our police department, both since and prior to my taking office.” said Mayor Derek Armstead
Attaining and maintaining an accreditation is an ongoing commitment; only 54% of police departments statewide achieve accreditation status, and this achievement demonstrates a commitment by the entire Department, Governing Body, and citizens to uphold the highest ethical and professional standards in law enforcement.
“This is a very proud day for the Linden Police Department,” said Police Chief David Hart. “This accreditation recognizes the incredible efforts our men and women take each and every day to serve our community with honor, pride, and professionalism.”
Chief Hart specifically thanked Sergeant Leon Pastor, who served as the Department’s Accreditation Manager, as well as Mayor Armstead and the members of the Linden City Council, whose continued support of the Police Department and our initiatives were instrumental in this achievement.
Click here to view and/or download the flyer for the Linden Police Department Youth Academy.
Who: The Linden Police Department Youth Police Academy is available to Linden students graduating 6th, 7th and 8th grades.
What: Linden Police Department Youth Academy. As part of the Academy, you’ll learn about the Linden Police Department and other law enforcement agencies, you’ll receive basic training in police procedures/operations, criminal investigations, drill and ceremony and first aid! You will also benefit from demonstrations including DUI goggles, the effects of drinking and driving, K‐9, SWAT, Bomb Squad, and more! And most of all, you’ll have a lot of fun! The LPD Youth Academy is NOT a “bootcamp” for troubled youth. The Academy is structured to simulate a police academy for those interested in law enforcement.
When: July 14 through July 18, 2025.
How: Application deadline is April 11, 2025 at 3pm. Space is limited to 30 recruits. Enrollment will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. No late applications will be accepted. Click here to download the application for the Linden Police Department Youth Academy. Applications must be dropped off in-person to the front desk of the Linden Police Department, which is located at 301 North Wood Avenue. With questions, email here.
On November 15, 2024, a Newark man was sentenced to 9 years in state prison for his participation in the daytime robbery of an Amazon driver in June of 2023.
Union County Superior Court Judge Daniel Roberts sentenced Anthony Torres, age 24, to 9 years in State Prison for second-degree robbery, directing that he must serve at least 85% of that sentence before being eligible for parole.
On Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at about 3:00 p.m. Officers responded to the parking lot of Jersey Lanes, 30 N. Park Ave. The victim, an Amazon delivery truck driver, told the Officers that he parked in the lot to take a break when Torres reached though the open side door into the driver’s compartment and stole his backpack.
The driver exited the van and confronted the suspect, grabbing onto his shirt as he entered a vehicle parked nearby. Torres struck the driver several times in an attempt to break free, and the driver was struck by the vehicle as it fled the scene. The driver suffered minor injuries.
“There is absolutely no place for violent crimes like this in our community,” said Linden Police Chief David Hart. “I’d like to thank the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, as well as the responding Officers and Detectives whose diligent efforts made an extended sentence like this possible.”
The City of Linden and the Linden Police Department announced that they have been awarded a year-long, federally-funded grant focused on improving pedestrian safety. The $20,000 grant, administered through the New Jersey Department of Highway Transportation & Safety, supplements and supports the department’s educational and enforcement efforts throughout the year.
In New Jersey, drivers are required to STOP for pedestrians in a crosswalk and yield to pedestrians walking outside of a crosswalk. Drivers are also advised to slow down and be alert for pedestrians; the risk of death for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling at 23 mph is 10%, but jumps to near 50% if the vehicle is traveling at 40 mph.
“Walking is one of the best things you can do for your mental and physical health, and for the environment,” said Police Chief David Hart. “In Linden, we are committed to keeping our pedestrians safe on the sidewalks and while crossing the street — anywhere that people walk, bike, or roll they should be able to do so without fear or stress. We urge drivers to take the time to look out for pedestrians, slow down, and incorporate pedestrian awareness into their driving routines.”
Despite a nationwide decline in highway fatalities last year, pedestrian fatalities across New Jersey surged 30%. Two hundred and twenty-two pedestrians lost their lives in vehicle crashes, the most since 1968.
For more information about pedestrian safety, please click here.
