Montclair Police PBA Blames Trump Post On Computer Hacking

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The Montclair Police PBA is claiming that a recent controversial Facebook post about Trump’s election day victory and an apologetic follow-up comment was the result of a hacked social media account.

The initial Montclair PBA Facebook post on Monday included a meme of a jubilant police officer with the accompanying text: “Guys, Trump won! We get to be cops again!”

After the post appeared, several community members left comments of their own questioning the sensitivity and political slant of the PBA’s message.

In response, the PBA posted a follow-up message that read:

“With regards to a recent post that appears to have caused many to be upset and annoyed... It was a comical post, nothing more than that. There were no derogatory words, and most definitely no mention of color. No statement for any human being to fear for their life. Unfortunately, many chose to conclude what they believe the post stood for. That in itself is sad."

The PBA’s original post and the follow-up reply have since been deleted from the Facebook profile.

A third message subsequently emerged on the Montclair PBA Facebook page that blamed the previous posts on computer hacking.

“After notification of the last several posts, it was discovered that the page was hacked and unauthorized access was made. Administration was made aware and confirmed the meme and following posts were not made by PBA 53. The password was changed and will keep closer observance to the page.”

The PBA continued:

“In the past, several hundred posts have been made on this page of only positive events, such as Parades, Easter Egg hunts and many other community activities. Again, we apologize for this as never in the past has there been political postings made on this page. Our community comes first.”

Many Montclair residents weren’t satisfied with the apology.

• Sarah Tepper Blaine: “Given that computer hacking is a crime, I hope that Montclair PBA has filed a police report, and that a full investigation will be made and any perpetrator who is arrested will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The Montclair PBA and by extension in the public's eye, the Montclair PD, took a serious reputational hit with this one, and especially in the current climate, repairing community trust in the force is easier said than done.”
• Kristin Wald: “The PBA has some work to do if it thinks a post like that is comical and doesn't understand why it would strike fear and concern (not "annoyance") in the hearts of Montclair residents. Please look into the history of the phrase "Law and Order" that Trump continually used. Look also into the history Trump's appointments to his administration have demonstrated over decades. I have been proud of how the Montclair PD and PBA have interacted with residents for as long as I've lived here. And the defensive post is even more offensive. Sharing our concern for ourselves and our children's safety doesn't erase our support and concern and sadness for tragedies that befall our police officers. For me, that post made it even more clear where the motivation came from. *That* is sad.”
• Jay Clarken: “Rather than own up to it and apologize, such matters are always deemed a ‘hack.’ If it was a hack then why did it take three days for the PBA to respond?”

Montclair Police Chief Todd Conforti issued a statement about the posts on Thursday.

“Last night it was brought to my attention that PBA Local 53’s Facebook page contained a post that was political in nature. This Facebook page is not overseen or monitored by the Police Department and this particular post does not represent the views of the Montclair Police Department.”

Municipal officials recently offered a public show of support for the town’s police, fire and EMS workers by painting a blue, red and white lines down Bloomfield Avenue in solidarity with the national “Blue Line” movement.

Such shows of public support – which have taken place in several Essex County towns – have also been criticized as divisive and inflammatory by critics of the Blue Line movement.

• See related article: Thin Blue Line: Montclair Joins Pro-Police Movement

Photo: Montclair Township

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