46th Annual Fishing Derby, Police Unity Tour and More Upcoming Events in Fairfield – TAPinto.net
FAIRFIELD, NJ — Fairfield Township Councilman Joseph Cifelli reminded the public at Monday’s council meeting that the Fairfield Conservation and Sportsmen’s Association’s 46th annual kids’ fishing derby will be held on Saturday, rain or shine, at Outfront Media (185 Rt. 46 West) in Fairfield.
Registration begins at 7 a.m., and the fishing derby will run from 8 a.m. to noon. Children ages three to 13 may participate. Prizes will be awarded by age. The event is co-sponsored by Saddleback Real Estate Developers, Value City Furniture and Mattresses and Outfront Media.
On the same morning, the Fairfield Police Department will participate in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s “Operation Take Back” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event allows for citizens to bring unused and unwanted prescription medications to the police trailer to be disposed of properly and kept from misuse.
The police department will also be joining a variety of other Essex County law enforcement agencies at the Essex County Police and Public Safety Expo to be held at the Livingston Mall on Saturday, May 4, starting at 11 a.m. There will be a variety of equipment on display as well as giveaways.
“At this event, Fairfield Police Officer R.J. Casendino is being honored by the Essex County Crime Prevention Officers Association in regards to his work in enhancing Fairfield’s police/community relations,” said Fairfield Mayor James Gasparini.
Gasparini also announced that National Police Week will be observed beginning on Sunday, May 12 and ending on Saturday, May 18. This year, in addition to having Fairfield Sergeants Frank Tracey and Ian Rasmussen participate in the Police Unity Tour, Gasparini said the township will play an even more significant role for the Police Unity Tour in that the Fairfield Executive Inn has been named the host hotel for riders.
“In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as National Police Week,” he said. “This was done as a means to honor those in law enforcement who made the ultimate sacrifice.
“As a means of bringing greater public awareness to this week, in May 1997, the Police Unity Tour was established. Each year, officers from around the country and the world converge in New Jersey to begin their three-day bicycle ride from Florham Park, where the unity tour began, to Washington, D.C….
“Officers from around the country and the world will arrive on May 8 for pre-ride activities. The public can expect to see a greater law enforcement presence in and around the hotel and potentially throughout the community. A police-escorted motorcade for participants to get from Fairfield to the staging area in East Hanover will take place sometime on the morning of May 9.”
All proceeds from the Police Unity Tour will support the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.
Most recently, the police department hosted its annual “Officer Phil” safety program for students of Stevenson School, using puppets and magic tricks to present important safety messages. The program was funded by 22 local businesses. (Click HERE to read about the program.)
Approximately 20 child seats were either checked or installed by the Fairfield Police Department at the annual child safety seat event at Raymour and Flanigan on April 13, and on April 22, the police department and the Fairfield Public Library sponsored a public CPR class for about 16 people.
On April 18, at the Franklin Steak House, the Fairfield Police Foundation hosted a cigar night fundraising event. Approximately 140 people attended, and the foundation raised about $6,500.
“The police department and the foundation would like to thank all those who attended,” said Gasparini.
In other news, Councilman John LaForgia announced that about 150 people still participated in the township’s annual Easter Egg Hunt on Friday despite moving the event inside the recreation building due to the weather.