Congestion Pricing For Route 17? Posts From Police In Bergen County Raise Eyebrows

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Police and fire departments around the country seemed to get into the spirit of April Fool's Day on Tuesday, posting on social media about drug-sniffing cats, a "comfort tiger" that attacked someone, and being lured to a crime scene by donuts.

The Paramus police and Ridgewood firefighters got into the act as well, posting photos that drew funny comments from some residents. But others became angry and argued without realizing it was April Fool's Day.

The Paramus police might have won Joke Of The Day on Tuesday with their twist on New York City's controversial congestion pricing.

'About Time'

"In trying to alleviate traffic issues along Route 17 South," the police wrote on Facebook on Tuesday, "we have implemented congestion pricing beginning today."

One commenter named Niki went along with the gag, noting, "About time, it's been getting too cheap to live in Jersey lately."

Other people suggested that only those with New York license plates pay the fee, and that the road remain free for Paramus residents.

Some seemed concerned.

"Talk about a mass exodus of businesses from Paramus if that happen[s]," warned a commenter, "and if that happens skyrocketing taxes for property owners. Not a very good idea!"

"How about starting from Linwood Ave all the way to Route 80 and onto Route 4," suggested another. "Then you can also charge toll pricing to get on Route 4 this way people would stop sneaking up the Route 4 west lane to get into the East lane and cause so much traffic..."

Several commenters alerted others that it was an April Fool's joke, or that they were "pretty sure" it was.

"HAHA love a great sense of humor. This is awesome!!!!!!" wrote one commenter. "Kudos to Paramus police."

For his part, local Rep. Josh Gottheimer has demanded that New York City halt its congestion pricing tax on New Jersey drivers.

Ridgewood Goes To The Dogs

Meanwhile, Ridgewood's firefighers' union posted about adding a new member of their department, Glen the Dalmatian puppy, named after Glen Avenue.

They said the pooch would be trained to accompany firefighters on calls, and posted a cute puppy photo.

People took the post seriously — so seriously that the department posted an apology later.

"Yes, unfortunately Glen was just an April Fools joke that our social media manager didn't expect to gain so much popularity so quickly!" they wrote. "Wow! Now I've got some people to answer to! Apologies to anyone who had to field phone calls this morning about this one! We will miss you, Glen!"

The update resulted in about a dozen comments from disappointed people.

"No fair!!!! I was ready to start a kitchen fire to get to meet him!!," wrote one woman.

"Not a nice joke," wrote another. "I think the only way to get past this is for the department to get a dog."

One commenter posted simply, "Glen - we will never forget you."