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Jun
26
Star-Ledger Staff
Hillside residents say they are unsettled after hearing gunshots a block from the municipal building and police headquarters on the township’s main thoroughfare Tuesday night.
Police Detective Lt. Matthew Ross said two shots were fired about 10 p.m., and police observed “a bunch of juveniles running from the scene.” No one was injured.
Lt. Ross said police stopped several of the youths, and were told a vehicle had driven by and someone inside fired shots.
“We did not get much cooperation from the local youths,” he added. “They said someone pointed a gun at the group, and fired. We found one shell casing.”
Residents on the block where the shooting occurred, near Oakland Terrace, said they heard three or four shots, and then the screeching tires of a car driving away.
The residents, who requested anonymity, said they peeked out windows to see teenagers running toward the municipal building.
Several said they had pulled children to the floor in the event a stray bullet entered their home, and added they were unnerved by the incident.
Jeff Dykes, of Crann Street, was outside the building talking with several other residents following a meeting of the township council.
“About an hour after the meet ing 15 to 20 kids from the community ran by,” he said. “A drive-by came through, we heard shots and I called 911.
“The guy I was talking to had said he thought he heard gunshots, but I told him it probably was fireworks,” added Dykes. “Then, 10 minutes later, the kids ran by and said a guy was shooting, and we heard two more shots.”
Dykes, a frequent critic of the township council, said the incident should serve as a warning.
“We do have crime in Hillside,” he said. “It’s not the same Hillside as 10 or 20 years ago. We cannot turn our heads to it, but have to keep our eyes and ears open to protect kids and residents of this town.”
Second Ward Councilwoman Shelley-Ann Bates, who lives a block from the shooting scene, said she had to “hit the floor and call police” for the second time in as many years.
“I hope there is no hat trick,” she said, adding residents must face the reality that “crime is en croaching on Hillside and that they must be alert and attentive.”
In May 2006 a gunfight broke out in which a dozen shots were fired by groups on opposite sides of Liberty Avenue at nearly the same location as Tuesday’s incident.
Similar to Tuesday, no one was struck by gunfire in that incident.
Neighbors sought to tie the 2006 shooting to the nearby Ranch Bar & Grill, and conducted a citizen campaign that led to the controversial establishment closing last year.
Jun
13
Barack Needs You!
Filed Under Election 2008 | Leave a Comment
If you are fired up and ready to support the Barack Obama campaign, there will be a meeting at the home of Hillside resident, Cynthia McGill at 239 Fitzpatrick Street on Saturday, July 19th from 4-6pm. Mark your calendars!
Jun
12
Amazing News!
Filed Under Election 2008 | Leave a Comment
The group, MoveOn.com have smashed their goal and have given away over half a million Obama bumper stickers! Since folks are so enthusiastic about showing their support for Obama, they’re giving a free bumper sticker to every American who wants one.
Take a moment to tell your friends, family, and colleagues and let them know that they can order a FREE Obama bumper sticker? (If you haven’t ordered yours yet, what are you waiting for? ) If hundreds of Hillsiders order these stickers and place them somewhere visible, we’ll show voters in every town in Union County just how excited we all are about Barack Obama.
By the way, these stickers are great even if you don’t have a car. You can put them on your bike, laptop, ice chest—really, anywhere.
