Tenafly is a quiet town. Nestled in the Bergen County suburbs, it's the kind of place where people move for the schools and the peace. But keeping that peace isn't just a matter of luck. It falls on the Tenafly Police Department NJ, a team that deals with everything from high-intensity medical emergencies to the modern-day headache of high-end car thefts. If you live here or you’re just passing through, you’ve probably seen the black-and-whites patrolling Riveredge Road. But there is a lot more going on in that station than just writing tickets for expired meters.
The reality of policing in an affluent North Jersey suburb has changed. Ten years ago, the "big news" might have been a downed power line after a storm. Today? It’s sophisticated crime rings targeting residential driveways.
Why the Tenafly Police Department NJ is Focused on Your Driveway
Let's get real for a second. If you follow the local blotter, you know that vehicle theft is the elephant in the room. It’s not just a Tenafly problem; it’s a regional epidemic. Professional crews come across the bridge or down from upstate, looking for key fobs left in unlocked SUVs. The Tenafly Police Department NJ has been incredibly vocal about this. They aren't just being "annoying" when they post on social media telling you to lock your doors.
They’re fighting a losing battle if the community doesn't help.
Chief Robert dePiero and the department leadership have shifted resources toward overnight patrols and license plate reader (LPR) technology. These cameras are scattered throughout the borough, scanning for stolen vehicles entering town limits. It’s high-tech, but it’s necessary. I’ve seen reports where these LPRs hit on a stolen car within seconds, allowing officers to intercept before a crime even happens. That’s proactive. Most people think cops just react to calls. In Tenafly, they are trying to beat the clock.
The Human Side of the Riveredge Road Station
It’s easy to view a police department as a faceless entity. It’s just "the law." But the Tenafly PD is actually pretty small in the grand scheme of things. We’re talking about roughly 35 to 40 sworn officers. That means these guys and gals are your neighbors. They see you at the CVS. Their kids might go to the same middle school as yours.
This proximity creates a weird, unique pressure.
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When a call comes in for a cardiac arrest—which happens more often than you’d think—the officer arriving on the scene with the AED likely knows the family. That’s the weight of suburban policing. They aren't just "responding to a 9-11." They are saving a friend. The department prides itself on its medical response times. Because Tenafly is compact, a patrol car is almost always closer than an ambulance. Those few minutes are the difference between a funeral and a recovery.
Training and the "New" Police Work
It isn't just about handcuffs anymore. Honestly, the job has become 50% social work. The Tenafly Police Department NJ invests heavily in Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training. This is huge. It’s about de-escalating mental health crises without using force.
Think about it.
You have an officer who has been on shift for ten hours. They get called to a house where someone is having a breakdown. In the old days, that might end in a struggle. Now, the goal is talk-down and medical transport. They partner with Bergen County social services to ensure the "police" part of the interaction is the shortest part.
Community Policing Isn't Just a Buzzword Here
You’ve seen the "Coffee with a Cop" events. Maybe you think they’re cheesy. Kinda performative? Sure, some people see it that way. But for the Tenafly PD, these interactions are basically intelligence gathering. No, not the "spy" kind. The "what’s actually bothering you" kind.
If the police don't know that people are speeding through a specific intersection near Mackay Park, they can't fix it. These meetings let residents vent about the small stuff—the stuff that actually impacts quality of life—before it becomes a big deal.
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- They run a Junior Police Academy every summer. It’s surprisingly intense.
- The department handles the D.A.R.E. program (or its modern equivalent, L.E.A.D.).
- They perform "Project Medicine Drop," letting you dump old prescriptions so they don't end up in the water supply or the hands of kids.
It’s about being integrated. A police force that is isolated from its town is a recipe for tension. Tenafly works hard to avoid that.
Addressing the High Costs of Safety
Let's talk money. Public safety is usually the biggest line item in a municipal budget. People in Tenafly pay high taxes. They expect a "concierge" level of service. If a tree falls, they want the police there. If a neighbor is too loud, they want the police there.
The Tenafly Police Department NJ operates out of a facility that has seen its share of upgrades, but the real cost is personnel. Training, benefits, and 24/7 coverage aren't cheap. But when you look at the crime stats compared to neighboring towns that are more porous or less patrolled, the value proposition starts to make sense. Property values in Bergen County are tied directly to safety. If a town feels "sketchy," the market reacts. The PD is, in a weird way, the town's biggest real estate asset.
What to Do If You Actually Need Them
If you’re in Tenafly and you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1. Obviously. But for the mundane stuff—reporting a lost dog, asking about a parking permit, or checking on a হয়ে যাওয়া (happening) road closure—don't tie up the emergency line.
The non-emergency number is (201) 568-5100.
Save it in your phone. Seriously. If you see something that looks "off" in your neighborhood at 2:00 AM, call it in. The officers I’ve talked to would much rather respond to a "suspicious person" who turns out to be a lost Uber driver than a "burglary in progress" twenty minutes too late.
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Moving Forward: Actionable Steps for Residents
Safety isn't a passive thing you buy with your property taxes. It’s a partnership. To make the most of what the Tenafly Police Department NJ offers, you should actually use the resources they provide.
First, sign up for the borough alerts. They use systems like Swiftreach or Nixle to push out emergency info. If a road is closed due to a gas leak, you’ll know before you get stuck in traffic.
Second, participate in the "9 PM Routine." This is a social media movement the department supports. Every night at 9:00 PM, check that your car doors are locked, your garage is shut, and your house alarm is set. It sounds simple, but it stops about 90% of the property crime in town.
Third, request a "Away School/Vacation Watch." If you’re heading out of town for a week, let the PD know. They can’t sit in your driveway, but they will put your house on a "frequent patrol" list. It’s a free service that most people forget exists.
Finally, be a good witness, not a hero. If you see a crime, get a description. Look for shoe colors, license plate partials, or specific car dents. That’s the information the Tenafly Police Department NJ actually needs to make an arrest.
The borough remains one of the safest places to live in New Jersey, but that status requires constant maintenance. Lock your doors, stay informed, and don't hesitate to use the non-emergency line when something feels wrong.