News

This past week, two cases involving shoplifting were heard in Livingston Municipal Court.

Latoya Davis, 38, a resident of Newark, was charged with one count of shoplifting from Old Navy on March 19. She was found to be in possession of stolen articles of clothing totalling $381.76.

The Essex County prosecutor downgraded this to a disorderly persons grade charge, to which Davis pled guilty. She was fined $500 and ordered to pay $33 in court costs; $75 for the Safe Neighborhoods Fund; and $50 for the Victims of Crimes Compensation Organization (VCCO).

Aaliyak King, 22, ofNewark, was also charged with shoplifting. On April 6, King was apprehended for shoplifting a pair of Fendi sunglasses valued at $164.97 from Nordstrom Rack.

King pled guilty to one disorderly persons grade charge of shoplifting and was fined $500. She was ordered to pay $33 in court costs; $75 for the Safe Neighborhoods Fund; and $50 for the VCCO.

One hundred students attended the first annual Social Justice Read-In and Coffeehouse, abbreviated SJRI, on April 12, sponsored by the Livingston High School chapter of the National English Honor Society (NEHS).

The event highlighted literature from the many cultures that make up Livingston’s cultural tapestry, said Romeela Anand, who founded and coordinated the event.

“It promoted the recognition of diverse voices, especially when some of these works are being banned around the country,” she said.

SJRI featured booths from high school cultural organizations including the AAPI Youth Alliance, Black Student Union, Muslim Student Association, Italian Club, Eastern European Club, Christian Club, LHS NOW, and Women in Entrepreneurship and Stem. In addition to exploring booths to learn about marginalized authors, cultural literary movements and diverse books, students performed original written works in an Open Mic.

Three Livingston students were recently named merit scholars. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) released the names of the first group of winners in the 69th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

Livingston High School’s Rebecca Liu was awarded the National Merit ADP Henry Taub Memorial Scholarship. LHS senior Nathan Zhang also found himself listed. He was awarded the National Merit S&P Global Scholarship.

NewarkAcademy student Meghan W. Lai also received a sholarship. She was named the recipient of the National Merit Marsh McLennan Scholarship.

All are invited to Livingston’s Veterans Organizations for a brief Loyalty Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 1, at War Memorial Park on the Oval in Livingston.

Loyalty Day is a special day for people to reaffirm their loyalty to the United States and to recognize the heritage of American freedom.

In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held at the Livingston Public Library.

Join Maestro Anthony LaGruth and the Livingston Symphony Orchestra (LSO) for “Atmospheres,” the fourth concert of the 2023-2024 season, on Saturday, April 27. The program honors LSO “forever cellist,” Tammy Tobitsch. Highlights include works by Claude Debussy and Joaquin Turina, a lyrical piece guided by New Jersey Symphony Orchestra clarinetist Andrew Lamy, and a world premiere written by 18-year-old Kush Tailor.

Tobitsch has been a member of the Livingston Symphony Orchestra since her graduation from Grove City College in the early 2000s.

On Thursday, April 18, the Livingston Fire Department responded to a two-car accident in front of 127 South Livingston Avenue. The wreck occurred between West Cedar Street and Wilson Terrace, less than a block from the Fire Department’s headquarters building.

One of the vehicle’s occupants reported being stuck within the car, prompting the dispatch of the Fire Department’s rescue truck for victim extrication. However, the occupant was able to climb out of her car’s passenger window without injury. Once safely out of her vehicle, the driver was checked by emergency medical services personnel.

As this occurred, officers from the Livingston Police Department were on the scene, directing traffic as the vehicles were towed. The second fire engine was cancelled prior to its arrival on the scene.

This past week, the Livingston F ire Department made two trips to provide mutual aid to the East Hanover Fire Department. LFD also responded to a single call about a gaseous odor at a residence and multiple smoke alarm activations.

Mutual Aid

On Tuesday, April 9, the East Hanover Fire Department requested a fire engine from the LFD to assist with the overhaul of a structure fire.

A fire engine from the LFD was requested again by the East Hanover Fire Department to assist with a structure fire on Monday, April 15. The Livingston firefighters performed an overhaul on the exterior of the garage that caught fire.

Odor

A gaseous odor was reported at the residence of 51 Hickory Avenue on Sunday, April 14. No gas reading was found, but PSE&G was on the scene and investigated the incident.

Alarm Transmissions

Several car burglaries were reported Monday evening in Livingston, and four minors were arrested in connection with the crimes that same evening, Livingston Police said.

At 8:25 a.m. on Monday, April 15, Livingston officers responded to Bear Brook Lane on a report of a burglary to a motor vehicle. The homeowner told officers that their video surveillance cameras captured two masked suspects entering his vehicle and appearing to take a phone charger. The actual time of the burglary appeared to be approximately 2:45 a.m., according to the recording.

Later that day, at 2:30 p.m., officers responded to Cedar Commons on a report of another motor vehicle burcontinued on Page A-8) glary. Cedar Commons management reported that there were multiple suspects seen on video surveillance entering parked motor vehicles at approximately 1:30 a.m. that morning. Proceeds of the burglaries included a cell phone charger and a pair of sunglasses.

During the public comment portion of the Wednesday, April 10, meeting of the Township Council, members of the public discussed increases in crime, flying the Israeli flag, and the town’s shooting range.

Crime Concerns

Lauren Scher of Thames Drive discussed her concerns about crime in town.

Specifically, Scher’s home was recently burglarized. Individuals broke into her home, stealing jewelry and other valuables.

She said that the experience was not only traumatic, but evident of an uptick in crime in Livingston, especially near Route 280, which many criminals use to quickly enter and exit town. Scher asked for an increased police presence to combat this issue.

Mayor A1 Anthony said that the Council was sorry that Scher experienced that, with Council member Shawn Klein calling it “gut-wrenching” to hear.