On April 29, 2012 Ptl. Keenan conducted a motor vehicle stop on a vehicle after it failed to stop for a flashing red signal at the intersection of Ramapo Valley Road and Post Road . Upon his approach to the vehicle on Long Hill Road , the officer immediately detected the strong odor of burnt marijuana emanating from the vehicle and signs of intoxication from the driver. Standardized field sobriety tests were conducted by the officer and it was determined that the 20 year old Oakland resident had been operating her vehicle under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance. A search of her vehicle was conducted which revealed drug paraphernalia in the backseat. She was arrested and transported to HQ where a more thorough search revealed the existence of a glass pipe and marijuana hidden upon her person. She was charged with driving under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance, underage DWI, possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle, being under the influence of CDS and the possession of drug paraphernalia.
On April 29, 2012 Ptl. Harvey arrested a 37 year old Beacon, NY man and charged him with driving under the influence of alcohol after he located him and his vehicle stopped in the middle of Ramapo Valley Road at 3:38 a.m. Standardized field sobriety tests were conducted by the officer on-scene and the man was subsequently transported to HQ where he submitted samples of his breath for chemical testing. He was later released into the custody of a family member and given a date to appear in the Oakland Municipal Court.
On April 29, 2012 officers were dispatched to a residence on Oneida Ave. for a medical emergency involving a 20 year old resident. The investigation revealed that the subject had injected four bags of heroin utilizing a hypodermic needle that was found in the nightstand next to his bed. Additionally, a small bag of suspected marijuana was located and the subject was subsequently arrested and charged with the offenses. He was released on his own recognizance and given a date to appear in the Oakland Municipal Court. Ptl. Catenacci investigated.
I am truly concerned about the wide spread news regarding the use of heroin. This is the third time I have read about it in just a month. My sympathy goes out to the family who lost their beloved son and brother. I am concerned about the children of Oakland and surrounding towns having such easy access to such a dangerous substance. I haven’t read anything about drugs in Oakland in the local Suburban paper and wonder why we aren’t all shouting it as loud as we can so the kids know the importance of such a life changing choice. I know that they these kids seem to be educated about drugs and smoking in schools – more then we ever were, and yet they are still making such poor choices. I think everyone should take this opportunity to open up dialog with their children and let them know that this is a tragedy that can be avoided.