Crime & Safety
Meet Kinnelon's Newest Patrolman: Mark Ehrenburg
"I have always been driven towards it," said Ptl. Mark Ehrenburg about being a police officer.
- Name: Patrolman Mark Ehrenburg, 23
- Lives: Born and raised in Hackettstown, Ehrenburg has a 40-minute commute each way to and from work. “It’s not bad,” he said.
- Family: Ehrenburg, the son of Bloomingdale Business Administrator Ted Ehrenburg, is one of two children. His mother is Gina Ehrenburg, a nurse at Hackettstown Regional Medical Center and his sister teaches third grade in Mount Olive.
- Serves on: Ehrenburg has served on the Kinnelon Police force for about three weeks. The patrolman, who has been a police officer for just over a year, holds a two-year degree in Criminal Justice from the County College of Morris. He studied law enforcement in Passaic County and served on the Mendham Police force before coming to Kinnelon.
- Why Kinnelon: Ehrenburg enjoys the area. “It’s a great community to work for,” he said. The patrolman finds the force to be a welcoming group. “Everyone here has treated me with great care and is very respectful and helpful,” he said.
- Why the Police Force: Since he was a little kid, Ehrenburg wanted to be a police officer. “I have always been driven towards it,” he explained.
- Position: “Anything that you would think that a police officer does, we do it,” explained Ehrenburg. Patrolmen are the first responders sent to police calls. They take initial reports, patrol neighborhoods and are responsible for traffic enforcement.
- Most Rewarding: “I’d say, definitely, when you know you actually helped somebody out and you can tell that they are very thankful and appreciative,” said Ehrenburg. “It feels good to know that you can change somebody’s life and do something for someone every day.”
- Most Difficult: “Never knowing what you are about to walk into. It can change at the snap of a finger. The not knowing is definitely one of the harder parts,” Ehrenburg said. He explained that his training has helped him to prepare for the unknown. In addition, the other officers on the force are very supportive. “It’s a family. Definitely the guys you work with are your family.”
- Hardest Thing About Being a Police Officer: “Notifications that a loved one is not with us anymore. It’s probably the hardest thing you can do on the job,” he said.
- Favorite Thing about Kinnelon: “I would have to say the people. The people are great here. Helpful. Polite. Great environment,” said Ehrenburg.
- Something He Would Change: There is nothing Ehrenburg would change about Kinnelon.
- Hobbies: When not at work, Ehrenburg enjoys spending time with his girlfriend, family and friends. He also likes landscaping, and is a physical fitness enthusiast who hikes often and likes to mountain bike on Deer Park at Allamuchy Mountain State Park.
- Philosophy: “Keep a positive attitude. Try not to keep yourself down. Just stay positive,” he said.
- Advice: “Stay out of trouble. Keep your head up. Work hard, stay in school; get all the education you possibly can. Stay in good shape, and you’ll be fine. You’ll get there.”