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2024 Community Impact Festival

Mayor Derek Armstead, the City of Linden, the Department of Parks & Recreation and Communities In Cooperation Inc. present the Community Impact Festival!

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

  • Who: Fun for all ages.
  • What: Community Impact Festival with local artists and entertainment, including features LHS Madrigals, Marching Band, free food, career fair workshops, mind-body wellness activities, community resources, games and prizes. face painting, and convenient DMV services from 10am until 2pm.
  • Where: Woodrow Wilson Memorial Pond Park (1100-1198 Summit Terrace).
  • When: Saturday, September 7, 2024 from 11:30am until 4pm.
    • Rain Date: September 8, 2024.
    • Please note: DMV services will proceed as scheduled on September 7, from 10am until 2pm, rain or shine.
  • How: Free event. Bring your own chairs. No drugs or alcohol permitted! Click here to register. For further information call 908-445-4745 or 908-290-2107, or email here.

Linden Police to Participate in End of Summer Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Enforcement Campaign

During the Labor Day holiday period, including the end of summertime and the busy holiday weekend, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will be working alongside the law enforcement community in Linden to decrease impaired driving. From August 16 through September 2, the Linden Police Department will be participating in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over high-visibility enforcement period. In support of the law enforcement community’s dedication to protecting the lives of residents in their communities, you’ll see officers working together during this time to take drunk drivers off the roads. No matter how you plan to celebrate the end of summer this year, make sure you plan to do it safely.

According to NHTSA, 13,384 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes in 2021 — that’s one person every 39 minutes. On average, more than 11,000 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes each year from 2017 to 2021. This is why the Linden Police Department is working together with NHTSA to remind drivers that drunk driving is not only illegal; it’s a matter of life and death. As you head out to festivities during the end of summer and Labor Day weekend, remember: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.  
 
“We want our community members to understand that it’s our first priority to keep people safe, so we’re asking everyone to plan ahead if they know they’ll be out drinking,” said Police Chief David Hart. “The Drive Sober campaign is an awareness effort to get the message out that drunk driving is illegal and it takes lives. Let’s make this a partnership between law enforcement and drivers: Help us protect the community and put an end to this senseless behavior,” he said.
   
During the 2021 Labor Day holiday period, there were 531 crash fatalities nationwide. Of these fatalities, 41% (216) involved a drunk driver, and more than a quarter (27%) involved drivers who were driving with a BAC almost twice the legal limit (.15+ BAC). Among drivers between the ages of 18 and 34 who were killed in crashes over the Labor Day holiday period in 2021, 488% of those drivers were drunk, with BACs of .08 or higher. There are plenty of options to help impaired drivers get home safely, such as designating a sober driver or calling a taxi or rideshare. If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact law enforcement immediately.  
 
No one should mix drinking and driving, and no one is immune to the effects of drinking. If you find yourself drunk and stranded with your vehicle, give your keys to a sober driver who can safely drive you home. Remind your friends to never get into a vehicle with a drunk driver. If you have a friend who is about to drive after drinking, take away their keys and help them get home safely. Most importantly: Always have a plan before you head out for the evening. If you wait until after you’ve been drinking to figure out how to get from one place to the next, you will already be too impaired to make the right choice.  
 
Click here for more information on impaired driving.

Backpack Giveaway

Mayor Derek Armstead in collaboration with the Mayor’s Youth Commission, Communities in Cooperation, Inc, and the Linden Department of Parks and Recreation present Backpack Giveaway!

  • Who: For Linden residents. Must show proof of linden address/residency. Linden health department and multilingual staff will be on hand to help families navigate and complete school paperwork.
  • What: Backpack Giveaway. Promoting and encouraging a violent free school year for all students! Sign up for a free linden library card! Free children’s activities! Live music entertainment featuring DJ Drewski and Zeddy Will during the event!
  • When: August 19, 2024 from 5pm until 8pm.
  • Where: School #1, which is located at 729 North Wood Avenue. Enter parking lot on Gibbons Street.
  • How: For Linden residents! Must show proof of linden address/residency.

Weather Alert – Flooding

A unique combination of a slow moving cold front and the remnants of hurricane Debby are increasing the chance of major flooding impacting many parts of New Jersey this week.  Tropical moisture is surging into the region today and tomorrow, leading to moderate to heavy rainfall and flooding from strong thunderstorms.  The rainfall and flash flooding potential for today and tomorrow is concerning by itself, and can lead to 2 to 5 inches of rain, but the impact of additional moisture from the remnants of Debby will further affect the area on Friday into Saturday. Grounds will likely be saturated and rivers/creeks/streams will likely be running high. Please take the necessary precautions to be safe during this storm.

NJSACOP Accreditation Assessment Team Invites Public Comment

Click here to view and/or download the NJSACOP Accreditation Assessment Invites Public Comment News Release.

A team of assessors from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) will examine all aspects of the Linden Police Department’s policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services on Thursday, August 15, 2024, Chief David Hart announced today.

“Verification by the assessment team that the Linden Police Department meets the Commission’s “best practice” standards is part of a voluntary process to achieve accreditation, a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence,” Chief Hart said.

As part of this final on-site assessment, employees and members of the general public are invited to provide comments to the assessment team. They may do so by telephone or email. The public may call 908-200-9251 on Thursday, August 15, 2024 between the hours of 10am and 11am. Email comments can be sent here.

Telephone comments are limited to 5 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with the NJSACOP standards.  Please contact Sergeant Leon Paster at 908-474-8557 for information about the standards.

Anyone wishing to offer written comments about the Linden Police Department’s ability to comply with the standards for accreditation is requested to contact the Accreditation Program Director by email here, or write the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission at 751 Route 73 North, Suite 12 Marlton, N.J. 08053.

The Linden Police Department must comply with NJSACOP LEAP standards in order to achieve accredited status. Chief Hart indicated, “Accreditation results in greater accountability within the agency, reduced risk and liability exposure, stronger defense against civil lawsuits, increased community advocacy, and more confidence in the agency’s ability to operate efficiently and respond to community needs.”

The Accreditation Program Director for the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police is Mr. Harry J Delgado, Ed.S. “The assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar New Jersey law enforcement agencies. The assessors will review written materials, interview agency members, and visit offices and other places where compliance with the standards can be observed. Once the Commission’s assessors complete their review of the agency, they will report to the full Commission, which will then decide if the agency is to be granted accredited status,” Harry J Delgado stated.

Accreditation is valid for a three-year (3) period during which time the agency must submit annual reports attesting to their continued compliance with those standards under which it was initially accredited. 

The New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police through its New Jersey Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission is the legitimate authority and accreditation agency in the state of New Jersey. For more information regarding the Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission please write the Commission at New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission at 751 Route 73 North, Suite 12 Marlton, N.J. 08053 or email here.  

Linden Tigers Pop Warner Football & Cheer

Registration is now open for the Linden Tigers Pop Warner Football and Cheer.

  • What: Linden Tigers Pop Warner Football and Cheer.
  • Where: Dorothy Ford Park, which is located at 1298 Essex Avenue.
  • When: Monday through Thursday from 6pm until 8pm. Program runs through December 12, 2024.
  • How: Registration is open through September 18, 2024. For more information, call 908-718-1820, email here or visit the Linden Tigers Pop Warner website.

Blossoming Bowlers 2

Mayor Derek Armstead, the City of Linden, and the Department of Parks & Recreation are pleased to offer Blossoming Bowlers 2, in cooperation with the Linden Police Department. Let’s “strike up some fun,” and celebrate family bowling at Jersey Lanes! Registration required.

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

  • Who: Free bowling outing for all Union County special needs families.
  • What: Blossoming Bowlers 2, Let’s “strike up some fun,” and celebrate family bowling at Jersey Lanes! This program is funded by the NJ Department of Community Affairs ROID Grant (Recreational Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities). Each participant can bring family members for music, food, and fun. Students that are sensitive to noise, please bring headsets as there will be a DJ present.
  • Where: Jersey Lanes, which is located at 30 Park Avenue.
  • When: Saturday, August 24 from 12pm until 2pm.
  • How: Registration required. Click here to register. Each participant can bring family members for music, food, and fun. Students that are sensitive to noise, please bring headsets as there will be a DJ present. For more information, email here or call (908) 474-8600.

Knitting for a Cause

Knitting and crocheting classes available to all Linden senior citizens. A basic knowledge of knitting or crocheting is required. The club will teach you the rest! Majority of items that are created are distributed to local hospitals and nursing homes.

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

  • Who: Linden senior citizens.
  • What: Knitting and Crocheting classes. A basic knowledge of knitting or crocheting is required. The club will teach you the rest! Majority of items that are created are distributed to local hospitals and nursing homes.
  • Where: John T. Gregorio Center which is located at 330 Helen Street, location of class in activity room #1.
  • When: Tuesdays from 10am to 12pm starting September 3, 2024 through December 17, 2024
    • Please note: No class on November 5, 2024 and December 24, 2024.
  • How: Free. Registration is required upon joining. To register please speak with Evelyn Marchione in the main office at the John T. Gregorio Center (330 Helen Street) or call 908-474-8627

Beginners Woodshop Program

Mayor Derek Armstead, the City of Linden, the Department of Parks & Recreation are pleased to offer a beginners Woodshop Program.

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

  • Who: Children must be between the ages of 6 through 10 to participate.
  • What: Beginners Woodshop Program. The instructor will be guiding all students to execute their make-and-take-home project!
  • Where: John T. Gregorio Center, which is located at 330 Helen Street.
  • When: Tuesdays, September 3 though October 29, from 6pm until 8pm.
  • How: Fee for the program is $40. Click here to register. If you have any questions or are a first time registrant, please call 908-474-8600.

Senior Citizen Arts & Crafts (JTG)

Mayor Derek Armstead, the City of Linden, and the Department of Parks & Recreation are pleased to offer Senior Citizen Arts & Crafts. Come along and enjoy an art-filled program. Each session will be focused on unique and enjoyable crafts. Let your creativity blossom!

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

  • Who: For Linden Senior Residents.
  • What: Come along and enjoy an art-filled program. Each session will be focused on unique and enjoyable crafts. Let your creativity blossom!
  • Where: John T. Gregorio Center, which is located at 330 Helen Street.
  • When: Tuesdays, from 10am until 12pm, and Monday December 23, from 10am until 12pm.
    • September 10 and 24.
    • October 8 and 22.
    • November 12 and 26.
    • December 10 (Tuesday) and 23 (Monday).
  • How: Free program for all Linden Senior Residents. To view full class description and register online, click here. For more information, call 908-474-8600. 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.