Crime & Safety
Top Police, Fire Stories In Essex County: 2023 Yearly Roundup
Essex County saw fatal fires, murders, shootings, deaths on campus, an attack on a synagogue and other serious incidents last year.
ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Why were those sirens sounding in 2023? Take a look back at some of the year’s most-viewed police and fire stories in Essex County (click headline to read the article).
Homicides At Historic Low In Essex County, Prosecutors Say
Here's how the numbers break down for 2023.
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2 Newark Firefighters Killed While Battling Cargo Ship Blaze (UPDATED)
Two firefighters died after they were trapped inside a burning cargo ship at Port Newark, authorities said.
Find out what's happening in Newarkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Student Death On Montclair College Campus Causes 'Profound Sadness'
A New Jersey resident attending Montclair State University died unexpectedly on campus.
Nutley Woman Fatally Shot In Belleville; Man Charged With Murder: ECPO
Authorities charged an Essex County man with murder after a Nutley woman was shot to death in Belleville, authorities said.
Newark Woman Set Off Amber Alert On Halloween; Police Make Arrest
A woman carjacked a vehicle while a 3-year-old was still inside, authorities said. She was arrested after a police search.
Montclair Lawyer Convicted Of Murdering Mother Of His Child
James Ray shot his longtime girlfriend when she returned home after dropping their daughter off at school. Then he fled the country. (Read our update here)
Man Dead, Child Wounded In Belleville Shooting: Essex Prosecutors
A fatal shooting took place in Belleville, which left a man dead and a young child in the hospital, authorities said.
Nurses, Medical Worker Stabbed At Newark Beth Israel Hospital: UPDATE
Three staff members at the hospital were stabbed after a domestic argument between two visitors turned violent, authorities said.
Elderly Man Killed In West Orange Home Fire: Authorities
A fatal structure fire claimed the life of a West Orange resident, authorities say.
Glen Ridge Teen Dies After Car Crash In Brookdale Park
A 16-year-old from Glen Ridge died after a crash in the Bloomfield section of Brookdale Park, which also extends into Montclair.
Teen Mourned After Fatal Fall Near Stadium On NJ College Campus
The 19-year-old was not a student at the university, authorities said, offering condolences to his family and friends.
Ex-NJ Cop Sentenced For Killing Nurse While Drunk Driving: Prosecutor
A former Newark police officer from Bloomfield fatally struck a Garfield resident with his car, then drove home with the body.
3 Dead After 'Tragic' Shooting In Newark, Including Child (UPDATED)
The tragedy was the third multiple shooting the city has seen in less than three weeks.
Man Killed, Boy Hospitalized In Belleville Shooting: Prosecutor
The child was transported to a nearby hospital and is in stable condition, officials said.
Getaway Driver Found Guilty Of Murder In Essex County
A jury convicted a Bloomfield man for taking part in the slaying of a Newark resident who worked at a gas station in Irvington.
Belleville Man Pleads Guilty; Sexually Assaulted, Strangled Minor
A Belleville man climbed through a juvenile's bedroom window in Clifton and sexually assaulted her, prosecutors said.
DNA Renews Hope For Catching Newark Woman's Murderer – 50 Years Later
There is renewed hope for solving a gruesome homicide that took place half a century ago. Do you know this woman?
Fatal Car Crash In West Orange: Husband Dead, Wife Injured
A tree limb fell in high winds and went through the sun roof of a car, hitting the driver in the head, authorities said.
NJ Mom Lost 3 Sons To Violence. She's Helping Her City Fight Back
VIDEO: A radical new approach to public safety has gained the support of a bereaved mother in New Jersey's largest city.
Who Abandoned This Baby In North Jersey? Prosecutors Want To Know
As investigators use DNA technology to solve a cold case, they're asking the public for clues about the parents of an abandoned baby.
Police Arrest Men Accused Of Robbing Nutley Dunkin' Donuts
Police have apprehended three people accused of robbing Dunkin' Donuts locations in Nutley and Secaucus on Easter morning.
Livingston Man Dies In Motorcycle Crash Over Weekend: NJ Police
A Livingston man died in a motorcycle crash on Route 280 over the weekend, the New Jersey State Police said.
Missing Nutley Woman Found Dead On Apartment Building Rooftop
The woman's death doesn't appear to be suspicious, Nutley police said.
After Family 'Lost Everything' In West Caldwell Fire, GoFundMe Set
A family with two young boys lost their West Caldwell home to a Mother's Day fire. A GoFundMe is helping them out.
Videos Released Of Fatal Shooting, Police Chase In Newark
NJAG: Police officers chased and shot a man who was leaving the scene of a multiple shooting that killed two people, including a child.
Man Who Stole Livingston School Bus Indicted By Grand Jury
Bader Alzahrani, 22, has been indicted on charges of transporting the stolen school bus across state lines from NJ to PA.
4 Montclair Firefighters Hurt Battling Church Fire (UPDATED)
Fire and water damage to Grace Presbyterian Church was "extensive," Montclair authorities said.
Car Fatally Strikes 68-Year-Old Pedestrian In Caldwell (UPDATED)
A car hit and killed a pedestrian on Bloomfield Avenue in Caldwell, authorities said.
Bloomfield Woman Is Suspect In East Orange Pastor's Shooting, Newark Police Say
A pastor and "well-known philanthropist" in East Orange was shot at his home in Newark. A warrant has been issued for a suspect in the case.
Dye Pack Explodes On Convicted Bank Robber In Newark (VIDEO)
A New Jersey man was found guilty after he robbed a bank in Newark, leaving a cloud of pink smoke trailing behind him.
Car Fatally Strikes Woman In Bloomfield; Driver Remained At Scene: PD
A woman died after a car struck her in Bloomfield, authorities said.
The Essex County Prosecutor's Office said that a woman, 70, died after a collision in Roseland.
Essex Chess Club Coach Charged With Sex Assault Of Student: Officials
The Essex County teacher is also charged with making alcohol available to a student in the club, prosecutors said.
Victim Forced Into Van, Kidnapped For Cash In Essex County: Police
The kidnappers made the victim withdraw $9,000 from her bank account, then let her go, authorities said.
VIDEOS: Stolen Car Falls 2 Stories From North Caldwell Embankment
A car tumbled two stories onto the driveway of North Caldwell home early New Year's Day, two police videos show.
Man's Body Recovered From Lake At Weequahic Park In Newark
The man has not been identified, Essex County authorities said.
68-Year-Old Man Found Dead In Watsessing Park: Essex County Prosecutor
A man's deceased body was found in a creek at Watsessing Park, authorities said.
Body Found In Essex County Lake; Cops Offer $5K Reward For Arrest
Essex County police are offering a reward to catch the person responsible for the death of a man whose body was recovered from a lake.
Fatal Car Crash Claims 2 Lives In West Orange, Authorities Say
The victims included the driver of the car and a passenger, West Orange authorities said.
NJ Man Points Gun At Another Driver After Crash In West Caldwell: PD
A North Jersey resident allegedly pointed a gun at another driver during a recent hit-and-run crash in West Caldwell, police said.
Fire At Bloomfield Diner Starts In Kitchen, Spreads To Roof: Official
Two Bloomfield firefighters sustained minor injuries. No employees or civilians were injured, authorities said.
Two teens were captured by Livingston police after a woman awoke during a home burglary.
School Bus Collision In Newark; 3 Students Taken To Hospital
Three students were taken to University Hospital after the crash for evaluation. No injuries were reported, authorities said.
Cops, Firefighters Earn 'Valor Awards' From 200 Club Of Essex County
The Two Hundred Club of Essex County tipped its cap to several local firefighters and police officers as part of its annual Valor Awards.
Video Shows Man Hurl Fiery Molotov Cocktail At Bloomfield Synagogue
Bloomfield Rabbi: "No act of hate can stop the power of religious freedom." (Read our update here)
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