Community Policing
The Community Policing Bureau
The Community Policing Bureau is currently staffed by Sergeant Michael Runfeldt and Ptl. Heather Bailey. Sgt. Runfeldt and Ptl. Bailey organizes and facilitates with residents and business owners of Lincoln Park many of the following programs.
- D.A.R.E. Program
- Junior Police Academy
- High School Police Academy
- Citizen Police Academy
- Home and Business Security Surveys
- Child Car Seat Inspections
- Bicycle Safety Rodeo
- Bicycle Patrol
- Safety Talks and Presentations
- Tours of Police Headquarters
- File of Life Program
- Child Fingerprinting Program
- Community Surveys
D.A.R.E.
Beginning in 1990 members of the Lincoln Park Police Department began instructing the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program to children within the borough. Currently members of the Community Policing Bureau instruct D.A.R.E. for every grade, K-8. The core program is designed for the fifth grade, consisting of 14 lessons. First and third grade classes will receive five weeks of lessons, focusing on safety. For more information regarding D.A.R.E. please visit
D.A.R.E. AMERICA.
Junior Police Academy
The Lincoln Park Police Department Auxiliary Services Unit will be
holding the 7th Annual Junior Police Academy, for
boys and girls between the ages of 11 and 14 on August 4-8, 2008, at the Lincoln Park Police Department.
The five-day curriculum included various presentations from local and guest law enforcement agencies and hands-on practices. The student
will learn
a general overview of how to be a police officer and what duties it entails.
To view the 2007 Junior Police Academy schedule
click here.
High School Police Academy
The Lincoln Park Police Department's Auxiliary Services Unit is presently holding the First Annual High School Police Academy for Lincoln Park residents who are currently in high school. The curriculum is similar to the Junior and Citizen's Police Academies geared to high school students. The classes are held Thursday evening 7PM-9PM from February 28 to April 17, 2008. If you have any questions please contact Ptl. Heather Bailey or Sgt. Michael Runfeldt at 973-694-5533.
To view a schedule click here.
Citizens Police Academy
The Lincoln Park Police Department Auxiliary Services Unit recently completed the First Annual Citizens Police Academy for residents 21 years of age and older. This program combines classroom lessons with hands-on simulations. The class met every Thursday from September 20, 2007 to November 8, 2007 from 7 PM to 9 PM (8 weeks).
This class is for anyone interested in a behind-the-scenes look of the Police Department and police work in general. Topics that are covered include:
- Tour of Police Headquarters
- History of policing
- Policies and Procedures
- Firearms and use of force
- Radar operation
- Motor vehicle stops
- DWI detection
- Narcotics
- Crime Scene Investigation
- Courtroom Testimony
Click here to view the schedule for the 2007 Class
There is a $20.00 fee for the course, which will cover the graduation ceremony, materials and a T-shirt. Anyone interested in attending future classes or for more information please contact Sgt. Runfeldt at (973) 270-2508.
Home Security Surveys
The Community Policing Unit is now offering FREE Home Security Surveys. Sgt. Runfeldt will respond to your residence and conduct a comprehensive analysis of what you can do to safeguard your home and minimize the chance of burglary. Areas inspected include doors and locks, windows, sliders, lighting (interior and exterior), alarm systems, and landscaping. Anyone interested in requesting an appointment can contact Sgt. Runfeldt at (973)270-2508 or e-mail him at mrunfeld@bolp.org.
Child Passenger Seat Safety
Sgt. Runfeldt and Ptl. Wenzel are certified Child Seat Safety technicians. They have received extensive training and are available to assist you with the installation of your child passenger seats. They will also explain to you the proper use of your car seats. Many child passenger injuries and deaths could have been prevented if the children were in properly installed child seats. Please call Sgt. Runfeldt at (973) 270-2508 to schedule your FREE appointment today.
Bicycle Safety Rodeo
The Lincoln Park Police Auxiliary Services Unit will be holding its annual Bicycle Safety Rodeo on Saturday May 10 from 10 AM to Noon. Children will be able to register their bicycles with the Police Department (to assist in case of theft) and have their bicycles inspected to assure that they are in proper working order. There will be courses set up to instruct and test riders on their skills. Anyone requesting more information is requested to contact Ptl. Ron Wenzel at (973) 270-2509.
Bike Patrol
During the warmer months of the year, several Officers from both the Patrol and the Auxiliary Services Divisions patrol the Borough of Lincoln Park on mountain bikes. Each of our Bike Patrol Officers completed a bike patrol tactics course and they utilize the bikes as a proactive means of combating crime. Bike Patrol is more advantageous than general vehicle patrol, because the bikes are stealthy, and small enough to access places that patrol vehicles cannot. Bike Patrol is a great means of Community Policing because it affords Officers the opportunity to work closely with citizens, which improves trust and community relations because Officers are viewed as more approachable.
Safety Talks and Presentations
Members of the Lincoln Park Police Department Auxiliary Services Unit are available to speak to youth groups, civic organizations and homeowner’s associations in town about a wide variety of police related issues. Past topics have included:
· Home Security
· Personal Safety
· Neighborhood Watches
· Bicycle Safety
· Effects of Drugs
· Community Issues
· Any topic that is a concern to your organization
Anyone interested in have an officer speak to your group is asked to contact Sgt. Michael Runfeldt at (973) 270-2508 or e-mail him at mrunfeld@bolp.org.
Tours of Police Headquarters
We are now in our new headquarters. As before we do offer tours to groups, such as, school classes, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. To schedule tours, please contact Sgt. Michael Runfeldt at (973) 270-2508 or e-mail at mrunfeld@bolp.org.
File of Life Program
The File of Life program helps members of the Police and First Aid Squad provide services at times when you or a family member may not be able to communicate effectively due to medical reasons or personal injury.
Residents with severe medical problems, seniors, and other interested citizens are provided a FREE File of Life packet. The packet consists of a File of Life Information Card and a vinyl cardholder for placement on your refrigerator door.
The File of Life information card has areas to record personal information concerning medical conditions, drug allergies, emergency contact numbers for friends and family members, doctors information, prescription information and any special circumstances Rescue personnel should know.
In an emergency, rescue workers responding to your home will look for the File of Life card on your refrigerator door. Your File of Life information will help guide on-scene treatment, notification of your doctor and your family members. Immediate access to this information greatly helps rescue personnel provide the best in quality care.
You can obtain a File of Life Packet at the Lincoln Park Police Department. For more information about this program, or to request a File of Life Packet, please call Sgt. Michael Runfeldt of the Auxiliary Services Unit at (973) 270-2508 or e-mail at mrunfeld@bolp.org.
Children Fingerprinting
The Lincoln Park Police Auxiliary Services Unit has been fingerprinting the Kindergarten students in our town for years. The fingerprints are done in a booklet that also includes areas for other important personal information. The fingerprints are captured in the booklet and then given to the parent to complete and retain. No information or prints are retained by the Police Department.
Anyone who does not have a booklet for their child and would like to have one are asked to contact Sgt. Michael Runfeldt at (973) 270-2508 or e-mail him at mrunfeld@bolp.org.
Crime Prevention / Safety Tip of the Month
Pedestrian Safety Is A Shared Responsibility
New Jersey experiences a far greater proportion of pedestrian injuries and fatalities than the nation as a whole. It is up to motorists AND pedestrians to make New Jersey safe.
Pedestrian Responsibilities
- Cross at the corner. Use marked crosswalks and sidewalks when available.
- Look Left, Right, Left. Watch for turning cars.
- Obey the signals, especially Walk/Don't Walk.
- Be Alert. Driver's don't always see you.
- Try to wear reflective/light colored clothing when walking at night.
Motorist Responsibilities
- Be alert for pedestrians at all times.
- Always yield to pedestrians in crosswalks (marked or unmarked). It's the law!
- Obey the speed limit.
- Do not park in or blocking crosswalks.
- Keep your windshield clean to increase visibility.
Speed Kills!
Speeding is the greatest danger to pedestrians in New Jersey and across the country. If we slow down and obey the speed limit, everyone wins.
What does speed do?
- It reduces reaction time and increases the chance of a crash.
- It increases stopping distance and impairs your ability to correctly judge distances.
- It increases the force of a crash and increases the likelihood of death.
- A 20 MPH crash will kill the pedestrian 5% of the time
- A 40 MPH crash will kill the pedestrian 85% of the time.