The department took a first place
in the Law Enforcement Challenge.
By: John Patten
Manville’s police officers took up the New Jersey Law Enforcement Challenge part of a national program focusing on promoting traffic safety and claimed first place among comparable departments in the state.
Chief of Police Mark Peltack announced the achievement last month at the May 21 Borough Council meeting but he didn’t know how well the department had done. He had received an e-mail telling him his department had won an award, but officers would need to attend a May 30 luncheon at the Sheraton Edison Hotel to find out exactly what awards they were to receive.
That’s where Sgt. Jeffrey Petrone, who supervises the department’s traffic patrols, also received a special award for the department recognizing last year’s bicycle safety program, which encouraged kids to wear helmets while riding bikes by having officers give them "tickets" good for free treats.
"The compliance went up substantially," Chief Peltack said about the program.
Increased compliance with safety laws as the bicycle safety program or the "Click it or Ticket" program focusing on seat belt use seek to do are the point to the challenge and the national Chief’s Challenge, sponsored by the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
Both the state and national challenge programs are based on recommendations from the National Traffic Safety Board, including increasing seat belt use, reducing alcohol-related crashes and enforce speeding regulations.
Chief Peltack notes the efforts of his officers over the last few years have helped increase seat belt use, and reduced incidents of drunken driving and speeding earning award.
But it’s the special award for the bicycle safety program he’s most excited about.
"It worked out very well," he said.
So well, the department is working on repeating the program, seeking sponsors to offer incentives to bike riders. "We’re open to any sponsors," he noted.

