Springfield Police Department

10/30/2026

🎃👻 HAVE A SAFE & HAPPY HALLOWEEN! 👻🎃

The Springfield Police Department wishes everyone a fun, safe, and enjoyable Halloween!

As you head out for trick-or-treating, please keep these important safety reminders in mind:

🎃 Trick-or-Treat Together: Children should always be accompanied by a responsible adult.

🔦 Stay Visible: Use flashlights, glow sticks, and reflective clothing or accessories.

🚗 Drive with Caution: Motorists should slow down and watch for children, pedestrians, and increased foot traffic.

🍬 Check Your Treats: Only accept factory-wrapped candy and non-food treats. Inspect all treats before eating.

Let's work together to make Halloween a safe and memorable night for everyone!

10/27/2026

Halloween Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Plan – Tooker Avenue

Halloween is quickly approaching, and Tooker Avenue has become a popular destination for large crowds participating in trick-or-treating. Due to the significant volume of pedestrian and vehicular traffic in the area, additional safety measures will once again be implemented to help ensure the safety of residents, visitors, and motorists, as well as to protect public and private property.

On Halloween, October 31, from 3:30 PM to 8:00 PM, access to the designated barricaded area will be restricted to residents who live within the affected zone. Pedestrians are strongly encouraged to remain off the roadway and exercise caution throughout the area.

The following measures will be implemented:

🔴 Traffic Barricades and Access Control: Barricades will be placed at the intersections of Tooker Avenue and Mountain Avenue, and Tooker Avenue and Lyons Avenue, effectively closing most of Tooker Avenue for vehicular traffic. Officers will be stationed at these locations to verify residents’ identification and control vehicle access. Ride-sharing services will not be permitted to drop off passengers within the barricaded zone.

🔴 Electronic Message Boards: Digital message boards will be positioned near the intersections of Mountain Avenue and Tooker Avenue, and Baltusrol Way and Bryant Avenue. The boards will notify the public that access to the barricaded zone is restricted to residents. Residents seeking vehicle access must present valid identification verifying their address. Vehicles will be denied entry if the driver cannot provide the required identification. Messages will also remind pedestrians to remain out of the roadway.

🔴Parking Restrictions: No Parking signs will be posted on both sides of Tooker Avenue in advance of October 31 to support traffic management and pedestrian safety.

🔴 Increased Police Presence: Police vehicles will patrol Tooker Avenue to monitor pedestrian activity and discourage individuals from entering the roadway. Consistent with Halloween safety efforts throughout the Township, an increased police presence will be maintained in the area to promote public safety and help protect public and private property.

🔴 Pedestrian Safety Reminders: Pedestrians are reminded that the roadway is intended for local vehicular traffic and should not be used as a walking area. Everyone should exercise extreme caution, as vehicles may also be entering and exiting driveways throughout the neighborhood.

These measures are intended to manage traffic, limit congestion, and provide a safer environment for residents and visitors during Halloween festivities. Cooperation from residents, pedestrians, and motorists is appreciated as we work together to ensure a safe and orderly Halloween on Tooker Avenue and throughout the Township.

Implementation Hours: Saturday, October 31, 3:30 PM–8:00 PM

Captain Jon Rachel

10/22/2026

There have been an uptick of motor vehicle burglaries reported in our area.

Residents are reminded to take simple precautions to help prevent becoming a victim:

• Always lock your vehicle, even when parked in your driveway.

• Remove your keys and key fobs from the vehicle (including house keys).

• Do not leave valuables in plain view, including wallets, purses, electronics, and packages.

• Turn on exterior lighting and consider using security cameras when possible.

• Report any suspicious activity immediately by calling the Springfield Police Department at 973-376-0400, or 911 in an emergency.

A clear majority of vehicle burglaries are crimes of opportunity where thieves check for unlocked vehicles and quickly rummage through the interior, grabbing what they can, before moving on to the next vehicle. Taking a few extra moments to secure your vehicle can help deter criminals and help keep our community safe.

The Springfield Police Department appreciates the public’s cooperation and asks residents to remain vigilant.

10/21/2026

Detective John P. Patrick - Shield #509
End of Watch: 21 October 2024

Today, the Springfield Police Department remembers and honors Detective John P. Patrick on the second anniversary of his untimely passing.

Throughout his career with our Department, John demonstrated an unwavering commitment to investigative work, which was his true passion. He consistently welcomed new challenges and sought
opportunities to better serve both the Department and the community. John pursued additional training and became an instructor in several disciplines, including Ballistic Shield, Defensive Tactics, and Basic Life Support (BLS). He also served as a Field Training Officer and was among the newest members of our ARRIVE team when it was first established.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Detective Patrick was a devoted husband and loving father who left behind his wife, two young children, and many beloved family members. His passing also left an immeasurable void within our Springfield Police Department family, one that will never truly be filled.

John was also passionate about donating blood, recognizing it as another meaningful way to help others and potentially save countless lives. As we have already announced, the New Jersey Blood Services, a division of New York Blood Center Enterprises, has again partnered with the Springfield Police Department to host a blood drive in John’s honor on Monday, October 26, from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Chisholm Community Center gymnasium, 100 South Springfield Avenue, Springfield.

Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins may also be accommodated. To schedule an appointment, please use the link below (Ctrl + Click, if necessary):

https://donate.nybc.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/335485

Please join us in honoring John’s life, remembering his dedication to helping others, and reflecting on the lasting impact he made on our Department and community. Your continued thoughts and prayers for John and his family are sincerely appreciated.

Captain Jon Rachel

10/19/2026

A reminder to join us next week as we continue to honor the memory of Det. John Patrick.

Monday, October 26th

1PM-7PM

Chisholm Community Center
100 South Springfield Ave.
Springfield, NJ

10/19/2026

Springfield Police Department Blotter
October 1 – October 15, 2026

October 3 – Officers responded to a report of a motor vehicle accident on Route 22. As a result of an on-scene investigation, a 33-year-old Union man was arrested on an outstanding warrant out of Warren Township.

October 5 – A 62-year-old Edison man was arrested and charged with driving while under the influence as a result of a motor vehicle stop on Morris Avenue.

October 7 – On October 3, officers responded to Mountain Avenue on a report of a pedal cyclist struck by a motor vehicle that had fled the scene. As a result of a follow-up investigation, a 19-year-old Union man was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of an accident with serious bodily injuries.

October 8 – Officers responded to Springfield Avenue on a report of a single car motor vehicle accident. As a result of an on-scene investigation, a 36-year-old West Orange woman was arrested and charged with driving while under the influence, and refusal to submit breath samples.

October 12 – Officers responded to a Morris Avenue bank on a report of an individual attempting to cash a fraudulent check. A 23-year-old Bronx, NY man was arrested and charged with fraud.

Additional reported crimes and police responses to calls for service:

Alarm Activations – 32
Animal Complaints – 6
Burglary – 1
Criminal Mischief – 2
Fraud/Identity Theft – 6
Motor Vehicle Accidents - 50
Theft – 2

The above information is an overview and does not represent the total number of investigations and police responses to calls for service.

10/18/2026

We had a great time today at the Fallapalooza Fall Festival, meeting with our community members! Thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hello!

10/12/2026

The Springfield Police Department would like to extend our condolences to our law enforcement partners at the Union County Sheriff’s Office for the passing of Sergeant Richard Andrews Jr.

Please keep his family, friends, and fellow officers in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

It is with deep sadness that we mourn the passing of Sergeant Richard Andrews Jr. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, and fellow officers during this difficult time. Please keep his loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.

10/07/2026

Memorial blood drive reminder!

Please see the flyer below for the Detective Patrick Memorial Blood Drive. It will be held on Monday, October 26th, 1pm – 7pm at the Chisholm Community Center. Walk-ins welcome!

Please visit www.nybc.org/njdrives and input code 73191 to sign up!

10/06/2026

October is Pedestrian Safety Month, and the Springfield Police Department reminds everyone that safety is a shared responsibility.

👟 PEDESTRIANS
• Use marked crosswalks whenever possible
• Look left, right, and left again before crossing
• Stay alert and avoid distractions
• Make eye contact with drivers before crossing
• Wear bright or reflective clothing when walking at night

🚗 DRIVERS
• Slow down and stay alert in pedestrian areas
• Always yield to pedestrians in crosswalks
• Never pass a vehicle stopped for a pedestrian
• Avoid distractions while driving
• Be especially cautious at intersections and in low-light conditions

Slow Down. Stay Alert. Share the Road.