Regional Briefs – December 1, 2015

Man Arrested for Harassing 911 Dispatchers With 60 Calls

NORTH HAVEN, N.Y. – A man was arrested for calling 911 five dozen times in less than two hours Saturday night to scold and threaten dispatchers, WNBC reported. Michael Ballard was arraigned Sunday.

New Water Main Break In Hoboken Repaired

HOBOKEN, N.J. – More than a week after the water main broke twice, workers on Monday restored water service and pressure in Hoboken, The Associated Press reported. Since Nov. 22, many homes and businesses had been left without water and tankers were brought in.

NJTransit Seeks to Limit Homeless at Its Stations

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – NJTransit is assessing a pilot program that limits waiting room seating at some of its stations and keeps the homeless moving, The Press of Atlantic City reported. Ticketed riders may sit for up to two hours in Atlantic City, Hoboken, Newark and Secaucus.

In 1st, No. 2 Job at NY State Police Goes to a Woman

ALBANY – A woman will hold the No. 2 job at the State Police for the first time, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Monday. Patricia Groeber was appointed first deputy superintendent, making her the highest ranking woman in the division’s 98-year history.

NYC Taxpayers Giving Family Of Inmate Who Died $1.5M

NEW YORK – The family of a diabetic Rikers inmate who died after being ignored by jailers for more than 14 hours is getting a $1.5 million settlement from New York City taxpayers, the Daily News reported. Internal investigations blamed the death of Carlos Mercado, 45, on corrections officers on duty beginning Aug. 23, 2013.

Mother Survives Crash, Is Fatally Struck by Car

WEST BABYLON, N.Y. – A mother who survived crashing her car on the Southern State Parkway early Sunday died tragically after being struck by another vehicle as she returned to her overturned car, Newsday reported. Brittany Leith, 25, had returned to the vehicle to retrieve items. A state police vehicle that arrived on the scene was also struck by an SUV.

This article appeared in print on page 5 of the December 1st, 2015 edition of Hamodia.