Reports from May 14, 2010
Dear North Bergen Township,
Please accept this electronic request for public records made under OPRA and the common law right of access. I am not required to fill out an official form or use a particular software platform to submit my request per NJSA 47:1A-6(f), which states that an email from a requestor including all of the information required on the adopted form shall suffice in place of a completed form as a valid government record request.
I HAVE NOT been convicted of any indictable offense under the laws of New Jersey, any other state, or the United States.
I WILL NOT use the requested government records for a commercial purpose.
I AM NOT seeking records in connection with a legal proceeding.
Records requested:
I am requesting reports from May 14, 2010 when according to the Cliffview Pilot Township officers were summoned to Edward Somick’s house at 9012 Durham Avenue around midnight on a report of an argument in the street. It was alleged this also had to do with Middle Eastern neighbors AND he was "arrested" and then "unarrested" by a Captain who later was rewarded by becoming Chief. That story can be read here - https://dailyvoice.com/new-jersey/ridgef...
These police reports are public record as the incident was "disposed of" 15 years ago, but the pattern still continues!
My preferred delivery method for response(s) to this request is by E-mail as attachments. Please confirm you have received this request. If you are not the custodian of records, please forward my request to that person and provide their email address to me for future reference.
Yours faithfully,
NB Wants to Know
Good Afternoon,
The Township of North Bergen (the “Township”) received your request dated 07/11/2025 under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (“OPRA”), N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq.
Records requested:
"I am requesting reports from May 14, 2010 when according to the Cliffview Pilot Township officers were summoned to Edward Somick’s house at 9012 Durham Avenue around midnight on a report of an argument in the street. It was alleged this also had to do with Middle Eastern neighbors AND he was "arrested" and then "unarrested" by a Captain who later was rewarded by becoming Chief. That story can be read here - https://dailyvoice.com/new-jersey/ridgef...
Township responds:
Please see attached report in response to your request.
As with any OPRA request, you have the right to challenge the decision by the Township in regard to your request. At your option, you may either institute a proceeding in the Superior Court of New Jersey or file a complaint with the Government Records Council (“GRC”) by completing the Denial of Access Complaint Form. You may contact the GRC by toll-free telephone at 866-850-0511, by mail at PO Box 819, Trenton, NJ 08625, by e-mail at [email address], or at their web site at www.state.nj.us/grc. The GRC can also answer other questions about the law. All questions regarding complaints filed in Superior Court should be directed to the Court Clerk in the County in which you reside.
Thank you.
Erin Barillas, RMC
Township Clerk
Township of North Bergen
4233 Kennedy Blvd
North Bergen, NJ 07047
e: [North Bergen Township request email]
o: 201-392-2024
f: 201-330-7694
www.northbergen.org