Wyckoff Police Chief Warns of Excessive Use of Alcohol After Police Respond to 5 Incidents in a Week

“The weekly press release in Wyckoff this week has a common denominator in every story: ...the excessive use of alcohol,” said Wyckoff Police Chief Benjamin C. Fox.

In just one week, the Wykoff Police Department responded to five incidents, all alcohol related, ranging from “domestic violence incidents, motor vehicle crashes and a serious medical condition of a young boy.”

On Dec. 26, a family altercation between mother and her intoxicated 23-year-old son resulted in the son punching and breaking a window. He was removed from the home and no charges were filed.

And a 46-year-old Hawthorne man was arrested on Dec. 26 after police say he was intoxicated when he grabbed his wife’s face during an argument, causing minor injuries. He was charged with assault.

On Dec. 27, a Wyckoff woman was arrested after running her car off the road and striking a utility police while allegedly driving while intoxicated. She was charged with driving while intoxicated, refusal to submit to a breath test and reckless driving.

A Midland Park man was also arrested in Wyckoff on Dec. 27 after allegedly driving while intoxicated and crashing his vehicle into a parked car as a result. He was charged with driving while intoxicated and reckless driving.

But perhaps the most dangerous incident come on Dec. 28 when a 16-year-old Wyckoff boy consumed such an excessive amount of vodka, he needed immediate medical treatment and was transported to the hospital.

“This is just one week in Wyckoff,” Chief Fox said. “Then think about the impact of excessive alcohol use on a much larger scale such as in Bergen County, or New Jersey, or nationwide.”

“Help make 2015 safe,” Chief Fox added. “As we enter a new year, be mindful of the effects of alcohol to keep yourself and your family safe.”

“Don’t become a story in a police blotter report.”