The Year's Biggest Stories in Belleville, Nutley

Belleville Schools Enact Major Security Upgrades 

The Belleville Public School District announced it has nearly finished a $2 million school security plan including armed safety officers and technological changes.  The district hired a director of school security. Within five weeks armed retired law enforcement officers were stationed in the district’s nine schools. The district installed telephones in classrooms with voicemail boxes for teachers. Belleville School Board Trustees and teachers are split on the effectiveness of the safety program. At a contentious October meeting, Belleville Education Association members vocalized their issues with the school’s security measures after and during a presentation by Trustee Joseph Longo. 

Belleville Police Officer Suspended For Allegedly Sleeping On The Job 

A Belleville cop was been suspended after being photographed asleep in his squad car, authorities said. The Belleville resident who took the photo told Patch they spotted officer Jesse McKeough sleeping in a Stop & Shop parking lot around 2 a.m. in September. Belleville Police Chief Joe Rotonda said members of the department learned of the photo when it was posted on Facebook and that no formal complaints had been filed.

Martha Stewart Looking For Man On Match.com

CEO and Nutley native Martha Stewart announced on the Today Show she had signed up for the match-making site Match.com, the New York Daily News reported. Stewart said she isn't looking for a soulmate, but said she'd "like to have breakfast with somebody, I'd like to go to bed with somebody." 

The July nighttime explosion near a Nutley building, just outside the bedroom of two children under the age of 10, shook the entire neighborhood, one witness said. The Essex County Prosecutor's Office said Sunday a device exploded at about 8:45 p.m. in the area of Prospect and Centre Streets.

Nutley Mayor Seeks 'Compromise' in PBA Dispute 

Dozens of police and supporters turned out for the PBA rally outside the Nutley Board of Commissioners meeting in July and packed into the Commission Chambers for a standing room only meeting where residents, Nutley and out-of-town cops and others blasted the mayor for not promoting Nutley Police Capt. Thomas Strumolo to chief. Strumolo became chief later in the year. 

Belleville Police Shot Knife-Wielding Man 24 Times, Prosecutor Says 

A man who appeared intoxicated and lunged at officers with knives was shot 24 times in about 10 seconds during a fatal confrontation with Belleville Police early Tuesday morning, the Essex County Prosecutor's Office said.

Belleville Woman Charged in Fatal Newark Shooting 

A 21-year-old Belleville woman was charged with manslaughter in connection with the shooting death of a Newark man over the weekend, authorities said. Bridgette Rivera was arrested in April, two days after authorities allege she shot Michael Perez, 20, of Newark. A preliminary investigation revealed Rivera was holding a handgun that discharged and fatally shot Perez in his Newark apartment.