Union Officer Honored for DUI Enforcement; Department Expands

Police Officer Steven De Jesus of the Township of Union Police Department received the Chief Daniel Vaniska DUI Enforcement Award at the 28th annual Red Ribbon Day, Prevention Walk, and Family Fun Festival, hosted by Prevention Links and the Health and Wellness Coalition of Union County at Nomahegan Park. The award recognizes outstanding commitment to community safety by law enforcement officers making the most DUI arrests in the previous calendar year.

Recognition and Commitment

Police Director Carl Riley said Officer De Jesus’ proactive efforts and dedication to traffic safety earned him the top distinction.

“Safe roads are a quality-of-life issue for every resident, commuter, and pedestrian,” Riley said. “Drunk and drugged driving is completely preventable. Plan ahead: Designate a sober driver or use a rideshare service. Our officers will be out there, and we will continue to hold impaired drivers accountable.”

Mayor Patricia Guerra-Frazier echoed the importance of De Jesus’ work.

“Officer Steven De Jesus represents the very best of Union, and receiving the Chief Daniel Vaniska DUI Enforcement Award reflects his commitment to our community,” Guerra-Frazier said. “Officer De Jesus and our police department work hard to keep our streets safe, but traffic safety takes teamwork. We ask all our residents to partner with us by driving responsibly, eliminating distractions, and keeping Union safe for everyone.”

Department Expanding Traffic Enforcement

The Police Department is renewing its commitment to traffic enforcement with significant operational changes. The traffic bureau will expand from four to six full-time officers. The bureau will now use the same rotating schedule as patrol officers, working four days on and four days off, with two alternating groups to ensure daily coverage, including weekends.

Grant funding, secured through the Police Department support staff’s efforts, will also provide additional overtime patrols, putting more officers on Union’s roads beyond regular staffing levels.

A Shared Responsibility

Director Riley emphasized that traffic safety requires community participation alongside police enforcement.

“Traffic enforcement will not be an afterthought for this department,” Riley said. “Residents will see more enforcement. Traffic safety is a shared responsibility. Our officers enforce the law every day, and we need our community members to partner with us. By slowing down, stopping at red lights, and eliminating careless distractions, every driver can play a vital role in saving lives.”

The expanded traffic bureau and additional patrols represent Union Township’s commitment to road safety as a cornerstone of quality of life and community wellbeing.

For more information regarding the Township of Union Police Department, residents can visit unionpd.com.

FAQ

Q: Who is Officer Steven De Jesus and what award did he receive?

A: Officer Steven De Jesus of the Union Township Police Department received the Chief Daniel Vaniska DUI Enforcement Award. This award is given annually to the Union County law enforcement officer who makes the most DUI arrests in the previous calendar year.

Q: Why is this award significant?

A: The award recognizes outstanding commitment to community safety. DUI enforcement is critical to keeping roads safe for residents, commuters, and pedestrians. Officer De Jesus’ proactive efforts and dedication to traffic safety demonstrated the high level of work the award recognizes.

Q: What changes is the Union Township Police Department making to traffic enforcement?

A: The department is expanding its traffic bureau from four to six full-time officers. The bureau will use a new rotating schedule (four days on, four days off) matching patrol officers, with two alternating groups ensuring daily coverage including weekends. Grant-funded overtime patrols will also put additional officers on the roads.

Q: How is the expanded traffic bureau being funded?

A: The police department secured grant funding through the efforts of its support staff. This funding will provide additional overtime patrols beyond the department’s regular staffing levels.

Q: What role does the community play in traffic safety according to Police Director Riley?

A: Director Riley stated that traffic safety is a shared responsibility. He called on residents to partner with police by driving responsibly, eliminating distractions, slowing down, and stopping at red lights. He emphasized that every driver can play a vital role in saving lives.

Q: What did Mayor Guerra-Frazier say about Officer De Jesus and traffic safety?

A: Mayor Guerra-Frazier praised Officer De Jesus as representing “the very best of Union” and noted that the officer and police department work hard to keep streets safe. However, she emphasized that traffic safety takes teamwork and asked residents to drive responsibly and eliminate distractions.