5 Questions With Cedar Grove Police Chief Richard Vanderstreet

Police Chief Richard Vanderstreet has lived in Cedar Grove for more than 30 years. He's also been a police officer here for more than 30 years. 

After three years as an East Orange police officer and living in Newark, he moved to town in 1978. He's now had a little more than a year of being chief under his belt.

What is something unique about Cedar Grove?
"I think Cedar Grove is a throwback to old time America than maybe a lot of other places are," Vanderstreet explained. The community, he said, is "wonderful and comprised of a lot of volunteers."

What do you like about Cedar Grove?

"The sense of community," he said. "Here, we have so many second- and third-generation families that grew up here and are now raising their families here, which is kind of unique in today's world. So we must be doing something right."

How would describe a typical workday for you?

"It depends on what happens when you walk in the door," Vanderstreet explained. "In this particular job it changes from moment to moment. There are many facets to this position."

What’s one thing residents can do to help out the police?

"The number one thing we ask our citizens is to be observant," Vanderstreet said, describing the residents as the eyes and ear of the police. "You see something that looks out of place, it probably is."

What do people not know about the police in town and how would you describe the officers?

"Well, they really should know how hard these officers work everyday," Vanderstreet said proudly about the 28 officers on staff. "It's a relatively quiet town, our crime numbers are relatively low and I like to think there is a reason for that."

"On the one side they are highly trained and motivated," Vanderstreet said. "On the other side they have mom, dads and children and like everyone else they are trying to balance their careers with their personal lives. Police officers are people too."