Regional Briefs – December 11, 2014

Disgraced Ex-NYPD Boss Kerik Talks to Recruits

MAHWAH, N.J. – Former NYPD chief Bernard Kerik on Wednesday told nearly 100 Bergen County police recruits that they are no longer regular citizens and will be scrutinized to a higher standard, drawing upon his own career and downfall, The Record reported. Kerik spent three years in prison on bribery charges.

Poll: New Jersey Voters Oppose Gas Tax Hike

NEWARK – New Jersey voters want to see transit improvements but don’t want to pay for it, according to a Quinnipiac poll out Wednesday. It finds that 53 percent support a new rail tunnel under the Hudson River but 58 percent oppose hiking the gas tax to finance it.

DMV Clerk Arrested For Stealing $90K

WARSAW, N.Y. – A DMV clerk on Wednesday was handed a 313-count indictment for stealing $90,000 from the agency. The theft by Roxanne Ingles, 59, was discovered when the county clerk’s office found a discrepancy in the DMV account. She has since resigned.

NYC Council Takes Steps to Monitor Police Conduct

NEW YORK – The New York City Council said Wednesday they will formally direct the NYPD inspector general to investigate how the agency tracks and addresses police abuse. Complaint boards will also be created across the city to make it easier to file police complaints.

2 Hijack Boat, Disappear Into Niagara

PORTER, N.Y. – Two men in their mid-20s on Tuesday hijacked a fishing boat on the Niagara River and forced the captain to take them to the U.S. shore, before disappearing on foot in western New York, The Associated Press reported. Canadian and American police are searching for them.

French Tourist Sentenced For Scaling Brooklyn Bridge

NEW YORK – A French tourist will have to spend 240 hours cleaning a Manhattan jail for scaling the Brooklyn Bridge to take photos last month. The university student’s lawyer said his client “prefers cleaning a jail than to actually live in one.” He said it wasn’t his intention to hurt anyone, just a passion for photography.

This article appeared in print on page 7 of the December 11th, 2014 edition of Hamodia.