The 12th Annual Public Safety Appreciation Dinner – Peace Islands Institute NJ

On February 22, 2024, Nicole Graves-Watson, ECPO Community Relations Specialist, was one of the honorees during this year’s public safety awards presented by the Peace Islands Institute.  Nicole was the only woman honoree and only recipient from Essex County.  Additional honorees included representatives from Union County EMS, Paterson Police Department, Paterson Fire Department, NJ State…

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East Orange Police Officer Convicted of Aggravated Assault

By Robert Florida Newark – An Essex County jury convicted former East Orange Police Officer Devin L. Higgs of aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child for physically abusing his then nine-year-old son. On February 15, 2018, Higgs, 53, of West Orange, brought his son to the hospital for injuries that stemmed from…

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ECPO Offers Summer Internships

By Robert Florida Newark – Prosecutor Stephens invites high school juniors to apply to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Summer Youth Internship Program. The four-week internship is a mix of workshops, guest speakers, and class trips. The program exposes Essex County students to careers in law, law enforcement, and government. The interns will learn about…

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Theodore N. Stephens, II Sworn in as Essex County Prosecutor

By Robert Florida Newark – Theodore N. Stephens, II was sworn in February 16 to serve a five-year term as Essex County Prosecutor.  Stephens had served as acting prosecutor since September 4, 2018, when appointed by Governor Murphy. On February 8, Stephens’s nomination was advanced by the New Jersey Senate Judiciary Committee; on February 12…

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Newark Homicide Under Investigation

By Robert Florida Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II and Newark Public Safety Director Fritz Fragé announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force is investigating the fatal shooting of Tyquane Steed, 29, of Howell Township, N.J. On February 13, shortly before 9 p.m., Newark police responded…

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Hit and Run Leaves Teenager in Critical Condition

By Robert Florida Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Crime Scene Investigations Bureau is investigating a hit and run collision that left a pedestrian seriously injured. The collision occurred Sunday, February 4, at about 10:15 p.m. on the 500 block of Martin Luther King…

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Newark Man Convicted of Murder

By Robert Florida Newark – An Essex County jury has convicted Ryan Mwangi, 31, of Newark, of murder for fatally shooting Kenneth Thomas. On May 13, 2019, Thomas, 31, of Newark, was gunned down while sitting in his car on Renner Avenue, Newark.  Thomas suffered eight gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead on the scene.  …

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