Gottheimer announces federal action on car thefts, carjackings
JULY 18, 2022 • PASCACK VALLEY PRESS
30 PASCACK VALLEY
Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) on July 12 announced federal action to combat the spike in car thefts and violent carjacking in North Jersey, the tristate area, and nationwide. Nationally, auto thefts increased 16.5% in 2021. In New Jersey, there were more than 14,000 vehicles reported stolen in 2021 — a 22% increase from 2020. As of this May there was a 37% increase in auto thefts in New Jersey year to date. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported that, as of 2020, thousands of vehicles were stolen or carjacked across the tristate area to be illegally exported to Africa from the U.S. through terminals located in and around the Port of New York and New Jersey. Federal action Gottheimer is pushing for includes: • A National Auto Theft Task Force — led by the Administration to coordinate federal, state, and local law enforcement efforts focused on combating interstate and international carjacking and auto theft. • Immediately increasing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) security at ports — utilizing Customs and Border Protec-
<Calls to ‘cut off the head of the snake. And the head of the snake is at the ports…’ <National Auto Theft Task Force to coordinate federal, state, local law enforcement efforts
Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-5) is joined in Allendale on July 12 by (left to right) Westwood Police Chief Michael Pontillo, Upper Saddle River Police Chief Patrick Rotella, Bergen County Commissioner Germaine Ortiz, and local car theft victim Matthew Mazon (at microphones). (Photo via Gottheimer’s office) tion (CBP) and other DHS agencies to strengthen law enforcement presence and improve
inspections at ports to intercept more stolen cars before they are loaded into containers and shipped
overseas. • Tracking proceeds of stolen vehicles to take down interstate & international criminal rings — led by the Treasury and Justice Departments, along with the FBI, to track the proceeds of stolen vehicles when they land overseas, to examine if funds are financing drug trafficking, gangs, or terrorism, and to target heads of the car theft rings. • Increasing prosecution by the United States Attorneyʼs Office of car theft and carjacking crimes — to further crack down on interstate and international car theft rings. • Congressional hearing from the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security — to examine the role of DHS in responding to and investigating car theft at ports. • Congressional hearing from the House Financial Services Subcommittee on National Security, International Development and Monetary Policy — to examine the possible national security impacts of interstate and international car theft rings, and their use of the proceeds from car thefts. “Every other week, we read
OBITUARIES
Rue ABDELHAK
Rue Abdelhak (née Peek), 91, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 7, 2022 surrounded by her loving family. Rue was 91 years old and was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd Peek and Opal Branom Peek from Commerce, Texas. She is survived by her beloved husband, Edmund Abdelhak, and her cherished sister, Anna Beth Kennedy. She was a devoted mother to Nancy (William) Haines, Catherine (David) Muniz, Carol (David) Hart and Judy (Alan) Wagner.
She was Mimi to 14 grandchildren: Christopher, Carolyn (Chris), Leah (Tim), Lauren (Paul), Kaiya (Dan), Jeremy, Miranda, Taylor, Peter, Eliza, Jason, Amanda, Brett, Erin, and two great grandchildren, Bryce and Nolan. Rue was born and raised in Texas where she went to school and earned a degree in music education. In 1955, she moved to Park Ridge when she married Ed, her husband of nearly 67 years. Rue was a gentle, brave, strong and loving spirit who adored her family and cared deeply about social justice for all. Rue was an eternal optimist who saw the potential in everyone. She loved all the arts, especially music and theater. She played the piano and was active in commu-
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nity theater for many years. Rue also had a passion for British mystery books and programs. She was an active member of the United Methodist Church. Rue was always curious about people and places and was an avid world traveler. She loved to host family gatherings at their home in Park Ridge. Rueʼs greatest joy was spending time with her family; she was happiest when everyone was together. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 6 at Park Ridge United Methodist Church. A lunch reception will follow. Rue loved bright colors: attendees are invited to wear cheerful colors to celebrate her life. Donations may be made in her honor to Heifer International or Church World Service. Arrangements by Robert Spearing Funeral Home, Inc., rsfhi.com
Margaret M. GIUMETTI
Margaret M. Giumetti (née Parrillo), 79, of River Vale passed away peacefully at home on Monday, July 4, 2022. Beloved wife of Alex for 59 wonderful years. Dear sister of Marion Frederick and the late Amelia Browning. Loving aunt of Joanne, Charlene, Ida, Annette,
Marie Dore, Jeanine, Toniann, Amy, and Karen and their families. Before retiring, Margaret was an administrative assistant for Standard Brands Co., New York City for nine years. She cared for those she loved in sickness and in health. She never forgot a birthday or holiday, always sending well wishes. She was a true lover of life. Margaret was a devout parishioner of St. Catharine of Alexandria Parish. Visitation is 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, July 15 at the Robert Spearing Funeral Home, Inc., 155 Kinderkamack Road, Park Ridge. Funeral Mass is 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 16 at St. Catharine of Alexandra Parish, 523 Western Highway, Blauvelt, N.Y. with interment to follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, the Bronx, N.Y. Arrangements by Robert Spearing Funeral Home, Inc., Park Ridge, rsfhi.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Cancer Society, cancer.org, or Alzheimerʼs Foundation of America, alz.org.
Jordan FRAGIACOMO
Jordan Fragiacomo of Park Ridge passed away on July 12, 2022. Born in Manhattan, N.Y. in 1936 to Giordano and Amelia Fragiacomo. He leaves behind his wife of 65 years, Eleanor Fragiacomo, his brother Richard Fragiacomo (Genevieve) and sister Patricia, his sons, Jordan Fragiacomo (Theresa)
about yet another carjacking or stolen car literally taken out of someoneʼs driveway as they slept or, brazenly, in broad daylight. Then, these cars are chopped up for parts or they pull into the Port of Newark where they are put into a container, then on a ship, and sent overseas,” Gottheimer said in a statement provided to Pascack Press on July 12. He said, “Our local police chiefs have asked that we do everything we can at the federal level, as they put it, to cut off the head of the snake — and the head of the snake is at the ports. … We canʼt just let criminals steal cars and drive them right out of the country. We need to crack down and cut the engine on carjacking and car theft.” Joining him outside Allendale police HQ were Allendale chief Mike Dillon, Upper Saddle River Police Chief Patrick Rotella, Westwood Police Chief Michael Pontillo, Ho-Ho-Kus Police Chief Mike LaCroix, local Bergen County car theft victim Matthew Mazon, Bergen County Commissioner Germaine Ortiz, Allendale Council President Amy Wilczynski, and local law enforcement.
and Michael Fragiacomo (Jeanette), his grandchildren Christina Rynearson (Anthony, Alyssa, Jordan and Susan, great-grandfather of Antonio. After moving to Park Ridge in 1995 he joined the Park Ridge Golden Age Social Club. He was a big baseball fan and never missed a Yankee game on television. He loved his radio programs and has a recording of almost every one. He was his familyʼs world and undoubtedly the best grandfather and great-grandfather. He was so loved and will be immensely missed. Visitation 4 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 17 at the Robert Spearing Funeral Home, Inc., 155 KinderkaRidge. mack Road, Park rsfhi.com. Funeral Mass 11 a.m. on Monday, July 18 at Our Lady of Mercy R. C. Church, Park Ridge. Private cremation. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Jordan may be made to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, giving.mskcc.org.
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