After city officials said that last weekend’s annual St. Patrick’s-themed bar crawls were calmer than previous years, a city spokesman said the city is still not considering bringing back the St. Patrick’s Parade, although the situation may change down the line.
Three weeks ago, the city’s Alcoholic Beverage Control board settled violations with five bars in the city, settlements that meant the bars had to close for several days including this past weekend.
Before the weekend, Mayor Ravi Bhalla spoke to several news outlets about wanting to control the rowdiness from holiday-themed bar crawls.
The “LepreCon” crawls on the first Saturday of March began a few years ago. In 2012, the city’s annual St. Patrick’s Parade was cancelled after former Mayor Dawn Zimmer wanted it to move to a weekday to lessen the accompanying problems with bar crowds and house parties, but the private St. Patrick’s Parade Committee declined to move the parade, instead canceling it. As a result, entrepreneurs started on-line bar crawls the first Saturday of the month.
Police Chief Ken Ferrante said last week that this year’s first Saturday was the calmest he has seen in years, and also less costly – a roughly $97,000 cost to the city compared to $132,000 the previous year.
When asked if the city may start talks with the St. Patrick’s Parade Committee to bring back the parade, Deputy Chief of Staff for Mayor Ravi Bhalla Jason Freeman said simply, “No.”
He added, “The mayor is looking to build upon the progress of this past Saturday. However, if this positive trend continues, then all options are on the table.”
The Hoboken St. Patrick’s Parade Committee included a group of citizens of Irish heritage, and was founded by Helen Cunning. Cunning did not return a phone call last week.
Not everyone was happy with last weekend’s enforcement. Debate raged on the internet over whether the city was punishing only the “problem” bars in the city, or other businesses as well. Some businesses closed voluntarily to avoid the rowdiness or the prospect of being fined.
Other residents supported the city’s actions and appreciated the calm atmosphere in town that day.
On Twitter, a few residents alleged that a SWAT team showed up armed and intimidated guests at a house party on Washington Street before shutting it down.
Ferrante said that the situation was exaggerated and there was no SWAT team in town last weekend. He said it was shut down due to a landlord complaint of noise and overcrowding.

Fewer arrests

According to a press release from the city, arrests during LepreCon decreased by 64 percent (from 11 to four) since last year’s event, ambulance calls decreased by 18 percent (from 28 to 23), and calls for service decreased by 21 percent (from 488 to 386). City ordinance summons, however, increased from 31 to 37, including a summons for a man who jumped into the river on a dare, according to Ferrante. The police rescued him and he was transported to Hoboken University Medical Center. Jumping into the Hudson River from Hoboken has proven fatal in the past.
There were three tavern reports on Saturday, compared to 24 during SantaCon last December.
New Jersey and Hoboken ABC Inspectors reported no violations in any of the bars that were inspected, and the Hoboken Fire Department reported 100 percent compliance with code inspections.
“I am hopeful this is a sign of a downward trend in ‘con’ events,” said Ferrante. “This has been the calmest I have seen it…This past weekend there were no reported sexual assaults, there were no officers injured, and there were no civilians with fractured skulls or permanent injuries. I see it as a success from law enforcement stance.”
Bhalla said, “This year there was a clear understanding of the ground rules between my office, the Hoboken Police Department, and bar owners from across the city. I give a lot of credit to Police Chief Ferrante who took the time to speak with as many bar owners as possible to create a climate of understanding and expectation.”
Ferrante said the weather, parades in other towns, and the bar closures helped.
He said that even with five bars forced to close, “That still left 125 liquor licensed establishments open. The ones that were closed are the bars that are popular with that 21 year old demographic.”
The Black Bear Bar & Grill and Tally Ho closed that day voluntarily. On social media, the Black Bear Tweeted, “As a 30-year Hoboken Resident and business owner, I have made the decision to close Black Bear Bar & Grill and Tally Ho Saloon…my family and staff came to the conclusion that it is the best choice. We are looking forward to working closely with Mayor Bhalla, Chief Ferrante and city officials making sure hospitality establishment conduct business in close partnership with the city….”
Dave Jacey, owner of the Black Bear Bar & Grill and Tally Ho Saloon, was unavailable for additional comment last week.
Ferrante said, “I repeated over and over, the suspensions were not about the Police Department and mayor trying to shut down the bar industry.”
Jason Freeman said, “The mayor hopes that bar owners will consider the financial upside in tailoring their marketing towards the evolving and maturing demographics of Hoboken.”
“We had a total of five house parties that received summonses,” said Ferrante. “I wouldn’t call that a major increase. The last two LepreCons didn’t have any house parties, but during parade year we would see 40 to 50 house parties that would need to be summonsed.”
One local Twitter user wrote, “Literally a SWAT team just showed up to Justin’s apt for no reason.” He did not respond to a message for additional comment by press time.
According to Ferrante, the city’s Emergency Services Unit was not called to any house parties, but officers did have to shut down the party in question due to a noise and overcrowding complaint from the building’s landlord. He said the landlord approached four officers across the street, telling them that he was worried that the floor might collapse from the weight of the crowd and that he had posted signs stating no parties would be allowed.
Ferrante said the renters were issued a disorderly house summons.

Marilyn Baer can be reached at marilynb@hudsonreporter.com.

Condo association wins settlement against eminent domain

The North Hudson Sewerage Authority has been ordered to pay more than $5 million to the Maxwell Place Condominium Association. The ruling came after the NHSA used Maxwell Place property to place an underground flood pump that combats flooding in western Hoboken.

The H-5 pumping station on 11th Street, between Washington and Hudson Streets, went into operation last year and has since helped mitigate flooding.

“For the third time yesterday, our new H-5 flood pump, combined with our existing H-1 pump, kept western Hoboken dry through the kind of major storm that previously would have flooded our neighborhoods,” Mayor Dawn Zimmer said in a statement on Jan. 24.

The  $12 million municipally funded pumping station was placed on property owned by Maxwell Place Condominium Association that was obtained through easements and eminent domain. The condo association appealed the amount the authority paid for the land, an appraisal of  $567,000 and was awarded over $5 million by a Hudson County jury on Jan. 10.

Superior Court rules against city on Monarch development; city will appeal

The Appellate Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey on Friday ruled against the city of Hoboken’s request for a hearing from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regarding the Monarch development project on the northern waterfront.

Among other reasons, the court stated that “post-Superstorm Sandy changes to the [DEP’s] regulations and the city’s ordinances did not constitute “good cause” to revoke the [waterfront development permit] issued to Shipyard” by the DEP in 2011.

 “Superstorm Sandy was a devastating event, and the impacts of climate change and rising seas absolutely need to be considered when we are potentially putting future residents and our first responders at risk by developing on waterfront piers,” said Mayor Dawn Zimmer in a release in response on Friday. “We will be immediately filing a petition for certification to appeal this to the New Jersey Supreme Court.”

In addition to this matter, the City of Hoboken is also concurrently involved in four other litigation matters related to the site of the Monarch project.

 The developers of the project want to build two 11-story towers near Sinatra Drive and Shipyard Lane, with 78 residential units. The city, the Fund for a Better Waterfront, and the Tea Building Condo Association are involved in litigation to hold the development to a 1997 plan that included three tennis courts and a tennis pavilion on the North Pier.

Recently the city and Monarch entered into a legal compromise, but the City Council voted against it after the public criticized it. (See prior coverage at hudsonreporter.com).

Hoboken Police Department will hold ‘Coffee With a Cop’ Feb. 6

The Hoboken Police Department will host its fifth “Coffee with a Cop” Monday, Feb. 6 at Black Rail Coffee at Ninth and Jackson Streets from 8:30 to 10 a.m.

Coffee with a Cop aims to bring police officers and the community members they serve together – over coffee – to discuss issues, learn more about each other, and strengthen community ties.

In attendance at the meeting will be Chief Ken Ferrante, Captain Tory Pasculli, Lieutenant Scott Hochstadter, Detective Sergeant Jonathan Mecka, and Officer Charles Kucz, along with Mayor Dawn Zimmer, and Councilman Michael Russo.

Residents are invited to discuss any law enforcement or policing issues at the local, regional, or national levels in an informal setting.

The Hoboken Police Department will provide coffee and pastries.

Community meeting to be held Monday Feb. 6

All Hoboken residents are invited to a community meeting which will take place at the Hoboken Housing Authority on Monday, Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. at the community room in 221 Jackson St.

 In attendance at the meeting will be the representatives from Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office and Hoboken Police Department, as well as Mayor Dawn Zimmer, Assemblywoman Annette Chaparro, Freeholder Anthony Romano, Hoboken Housing Authority Executive Director Mark Recko, Superintendent of Schools Christine Johnson, City Council members, and Hoboken Housing Authority Board commissioners.

Hudson County CASA is seeking volunteers

Learn how to become a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteer and help foster children find safe and permanent homes. You may attend an information session at the Hudson County Courthouse, 595 Newark Ave. Room 901 on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 6:30 p.m.

 Hudson County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is a non-profit organization committed to advocating for the best interests of abused and neglected children. CASA works through trained community volunteers to ensure that needed services and assistance are made available to children while helping to move them toward safe and permanent homes. Hudson County CASA volunteers are everyday people who make a direct impact in foster children’s lives. They are trusted, dedicated adults who seek to improve children’s well-being. CASA volunteers get to know their assigned child and his or her circumstances and provide valuable information to the court. Judges rely on the volunteers’ recommendations to make the best decisions about the children’s futures. 

For further information, visit www.hudsoncountycasa.org

City breaks ground on second resiliency park at Seventh and Jackson streets

On Tuesday, Jan. 31 Mayor Dawn Zimmer joined other elected officials, dignitaries, and members of the community to celebrate the groundbreaking of a 2-acre park and public gymnasium as part of the 700 Jackson St. development project.

The resiliency park  will help mitigate flooding by using green infrastructure and underground detention systems to capture more than 450,000 gallons of storm water runoff.

It is the second of three resiliency parks planned for western Hoboken, in addition to the Southwest Park which is under construction and the Northwest Park, which is in the planning stage.

About 1 acre of the park will consist of open grass with public seating and a children’s play area. An additional 1 acre public plaza will feature step seating with a tilted lawn panel for relaxing and passive gatherings as well as a large plaza area designed to accommodate vendors and seasonal markets. The park will also include a 6,835 square foot multi-use public gymnasium with a classic field house design.

The project will also include approximately 30,000 square feet of retail space, an on-site parking garage, and 424 residential units, including 42 units of affordable housing.

“This park will bring much-needed open space to a growing mixed-use, transit-oriented neighborhood and will build upon our flood resiliency strategy,” said Mayor Dawn Zimmer. “I thank the City Council, Bijou Properties, Intercontinental Real Estate Corporation, and members of the community who worked together to make this possible.”

“700 Jackson is reaching for new heights as a transit-oriented, smart growth community,” said Larry Bijou, Managing Partner of Bijou Properties. “Kudos to the City of Hoboken in helping to bring this modern development to fruition.”

Various drug-related arrests last week

The Hoboken Police Department arrested ten people in four incidents involving drugs or drug paraphernalia last week.  

In an incident on Wednesday, Feb.1, Jessica Salcedo, age 30, was charged with possession of CDS (controlled dangerous substance) PCP and Samuel Gilyard, age 35 was charged with possession of CDS PCP and possession of CDS Paraphernalia. Both live in Hoboken.

They were arrested after officers were conducting a check of the hallways of 560 Marshall Dr. when they observed both defendants allegedly smoking in a stairwell. Officers detected the odor of PCP allegedly coming from where Salcedo and Gilyard were standing. Officers found Gilyard allegedly holding a lit brown cigar “commonly used to smoke CDS and the officers were able to confirm the smell was coming from the defendants and the lit cigar.” According to the media release, “they also appeared to be under the influence.”

In a separate incident, Police arrested four people on drug related charges on Monroe Street on Friday, Jan. 27.

Jennifer Smith, age 46, of Hoboken was charged with possession of CDS PCP, two charges of possession of CDS paraphernalia, and possession of marijuana. Jacob Smith, age 21, of Forked River was charged with possession of CDS PCP, possession of CDS paraphernalia, and possession of CDS marijuana. James Haythorn, age 21, of Forked River, was charged with possession of CDS PCP, possession of CDS Paraphernalia, possession of CDS in a motor vehicle and possession of CDS marijuana. Anthony Gilyard, age 48 of Hoboken was charged with possession of CDS marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of CDS marijuana with intent to distribute 1000 feet in school zone, possession of CDS marijuana with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a park, possession of CDS PCP with intent to distribute, possession of CDS PCP with intent to distribute within 1000 feet of a school zone, possession of CDS PCP with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a park.

According to a media release the investigation began when detectives observed an  alleged illegal CDS transaction. Detective Anthony Olivera saw Gilyard allegedly meet with Haythorn and Jacob Smith in the area of Monroe St. Olivera knew of alleged prior activities by Gilyard so he followed them to another location. The three separated.

Detectives continued to investigate and allegedly observed Jennifer Smith enter Haythorn and Jacob Smith’s vehicle. The vehicle then stopped near Third and Madison Street where  Jennifer Smith exited the vehicle and allegedly reached into a bush and removed a small bag before returning to the vehicle.

Detectives believed a drug transaction had taken place and approached the vehicle. They were able to detect a strong odor of CDS PCP from inside, according to a release.

The detectives were able to see in plain view a red baggie containing what they believed to be marijuana.

Jacob Smith, Jennifer Smith, and Haythorn  were ordered out of the car and several other baggies were allegedly found in the vehicle. Jennifer Smith allegedly had five additional baggies of suspected marijuana which appeared to be mixed with CDS PCP.

Through their investigation detectives were able to confirm that Gilyard was part of the transaction. He was arrested the following Monday Jan. 30 and charged.

In another incident, on Jan. 30, police arrested homeless Gregory Gordon, age 31, from Netcong after police received a report of someone attempting to gain entry into a Clinton Street address.  Officers located the man fitting the description a short distance away entering another address. As officers approached they observed the male exiting the building.  Gordon did not give police a valid reason for his presence inside the address.  He allegedly fled the scene on foot but was stopped a short distance away. He was placed under arrest and a search found him to allegedly be in possession of several hypodermic needles and empty wax folds commonly associated with CDS heroin.

Gordon was charged with resisting arrest, criminal trespass, drug paraphernalia, and possession of hypodermic syringe.

On Jan. 28 Officers were dispatched to the 200 block of Jackson Street on the report of trespassing. Officers arrived found the woman in the compactor room. As officers spoke to the woman she allegedly dropped a wax fold of suspected CDS heroin on the ground. Police immediately arrested her and she was allegedly found to have in her possession a syringe and credit cards that did not belong to her.

Officers charged Denise Chichizola, age 46, of Wayne on Jan. 28 with possession of CDS Heroin, Theft of credit card, possession of a hypodermic needle, and defiant trespass.

At a separate incident on Jan. 28 police charged Kearney Pena, age 22, of West New York with possession of CDS paraphernalia, possession of CDS cocaine, possession of CDS marijuana and outstanding warrant from West New York for $250. They also charged at this time Gregory Freitas, age 26 of Hoboken for possession of drug paraphernalia, and bail jumping.

According to the media release police observed the individuals peering into a First and Clinton Street address before leaving the area. They were later observed at a different address on Newark Street, where Freitas entered while Pena remained outside. Pena was observed allegedly dropping a clear plastic bag from her hand and onto the ground. Officers retrieved the bag and saw a white powder substance they believed to be cocaine.

She was arrested and searched during which they found a brown cigarette with “leafy vegetation” believed to be marijuana and a container of the same vegetation. Freitas then exited the building and gave “evasive” responses to officers when questioned. Police placed him in custody once a check found he had outstanding warrants for bail jumping on Hoboken and Weehawken. A search revealed he allegedly had a pipe on his person commonly used for smoking crack cocaine.

Hoboken’s Mile Square Theatre offers free readings of NJ playwrights

In February, Mile Square Theatre will present Readings of NJ Women Playwrights featuring writers Lia Romeo, Deb Margolin, and Kara Shelton.

This is part of the MST Playground Reading Series in collaboration with Writer Theater of NJ and its New Plays New Jersey concert reading series.

The free readings will take place beginning this weekend at 1400 Clinton St.

“MST is committing time and energy now to nurture and develop playwrights as part of our mission,” said Joseph Gallo, Mile Square Theatre’s playwright in residence. “My latest play Long Gone Daddy was given a full development process, and then was produced as part of the company’s mainstage season in 2016. This year we are teaming up with John Pietrowski of Writers Theatre of NJ by hosting the New Plays New Jersey series. We plan to continue offering readings to our audiences and giving playwrights a platform for their work in development. “

Schedule of readings:

Feb. 4 at 8:30 p.m. – Ghost Story by Lia Romeo

Feb. 12 at 6 p.m. -What Difference Does It Make? By Deb Margolin

Feb.19 at 6 p.m. – The Prodigal by Kara Shelton.

For more information on Mile Square Theatre, please visit www.milesquaretheatre.org

Officers arrest four Hoboken residents for disorderly conduct

According to a media release, officers observed a large group of people in the area of the Housing Authority in a verbal dispute. Officers separated the group and sent everyone on their way. Officers were dispatched to the same area due to an unruly crowd. Officers observed a large group pushing and shoving each other.

Officers attempted to disperse the crowd when they observed resident Shakeema High, age 23, allegedly strike another female in the face. She was immediately placed under arrest and officers were able to separate the combatants.

Ashley Johnson, age 21, of Hoboken was charged with disorderly conduct, simple assault, and possession of CDS marijuana. Shakeema High, age 23, was charged with simple assault, and disorderly conduct. Jessica Rivera, age 28, was charged with simple assault and disorderly conduct.  Jasmine Johnson, age 26, was also arrested.

Museum hosts Black Maria Film Festival kickoff

The Hoboken Historical Museum at 1301 Hudson St. will host the kick-off screening for the Black Maria Film Festival’s 36th annual tour.

The Black Maria Film Festival celebrates creativity and innovation in the moving-image arts. It was named for Thomas Edison’s West Orange film studio, dubbed the “Black Maria” due to its resemblance to the type of black-box police paddy wagon known as a “black maria.”

 The Festival is an annual juried competition traveling to audiences across the US and abroad, featuring new short works in all genres, and supporting the work of international independent filmmakers.

The screening will be Saturday, Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. where Festival Director Jane Steuerwald will introduce the selection of Jury’s Stellar Award-Winning films to be screened, and filmmakers will be present for a Q & A.

There is a suggested donation of $10 at the door. For more information go to www.hobokenmuseum.com