Drive-By Birthdays In Essex County: Some Cops Do, Some Dont – Bloomfield, NJ Patch

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — It’s tough being stuck at home in the coronavirus outbreak. But when you’re a kid – and it’s your birthday – the frustration gets kicked up a notch.

Recently, some police departments and other emergency responders in New Jersey have begun to hold “drive-by” birthday shout-outs for children confined at home due to the virus and state/local stay at home orders.

It’s a trend that’s inspired smiles in a dark time. And in Bloomfield, police are willing to go the extra mile – as long as it’s safe.

READ MORE: NJ Coronavirus Updates (Here’s What You Need To Know)

On Friday, the Bloomfield Division of Public Safety posted the following message on social media:

“The Bloomfield Police Department was thrilled to help one of our past Junior Police Academy Recruits celebrate his 16th birthday. Happy birthday Anthony from all of us at BPD. We understand these are some tough times we’re facing. If you would like the Bloomfield Police Department to help celebrate your child’s birthday, with the appropriate 6 feet social distancing requirements, reach out to Lt. Naomi Zepeda at nzepeda@bloomfieldnjpd.com and we will do our best to bring a smile to your child’s face on his or her special day!”

The BPD – with help from the Bloomfield Fire Department – also recently hosted a drive-by hello for a 5-year-old, with a reminder to practice safe social distancing. Watch a video here, and others on the BPD Facebook page.

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Other police departments in Essex County – citing safety concerns – have begun opting out, however.

The West Caldwell Police Department was originally onboard the drive-by birthday train, holding a celebration for a local 5-year-old last month. “This made our girl’s day so special… my heart exploded!” a thankful family member wrote on social media. “We live in the best town.”

Watch a video from the event here.

But as the coronavirus outbreak has evolved, police in West Caldwell have changed their stance on drive-by birthdays.

The WCPD issued the following advisory on Monday:

“We have had a significant number of requests for birthday drive-bys for children in West Caldwell. The West Caldwell Police Department keeps community policing at the top of our priorities, just below keeping our community safe. With the goal of keeping the entire community safe from the spread of COVID-19, we have made the decision to suspend our participation in these drive-bys. While it doesn’t violate the governor’s executive orders, it has the potential to draw groups of people outside of their homes and, outside of our control, may bring groups larger than 10 people together, which is a violation of the executive orders. We cannot increase the potential for spreading the virus and put our residents in increased danger. We hope you understand. Please extend to your children the happiest of birthday wishes from the West Caldwell Police Department.”

At least one resident agreed with the decision.

“The police are busy enough right now and exhausted,” they replied on the WCPD social media post. “Birthday parties are not important now. Everyone’s birthdays, parties, weddings, events have been postponed. Just stay in your house and sing your kid happy birthday.”

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