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Allendale issues proclamations honoring first responders injured in October crash
Summary
At its Dec. 5 meeting, the Borough of Allendale presented multiple proclamations recognizing officers and dispatchers involved in an Oct. 5 response; community leaders and the police chief praised the emergency response and pledged support for injured officers.
The Borough of Allendale on Dec. 5 presented a string of proclamations recognizing police officers and dispatch staff who responded to a serious motor‑vehicle incident in October and the countywide assistance that followed.
Mayor Amy Wodzinski read proclamations honoring Police Officer Dimitri Ford, dispatcher Tara Latwanka, Officer John Laca Jr., Sergeant Jamie Hill Gardner and Police Officer Mark Dunn Jr., citing the Oct. 5, 2024 response in which officers and dispatchers coordinated emergency care and mutual aid across neighboring towns. "We stand beside you," Wodzinski said, thanking the officers and dispatchers for their service and pledging the borough’s support during recovery.
The proclamations detail the borough’s appreciation for rapid on‑scene actions and interagency cooperation. The proclamation for Officer Dimitri Ford credited him with a "swift and professional" response to an October crash involving officers from Allendale and Saddle River. Council President Matthew O'Toole read that proclamation on behalf of the borough. The proclamation for dispatcher Tara Latwanka praised her communications work on the same incident and noted that council members will present the award at her workplace.
Sergeant Jamie Hill Gardner, who spoke during the meeting, described the operational challenges that night: within a roughly two‑mile radius during a 12‑hour shift the department investigated multiple suspected impaired‑driving incidents, three of which Sgt. Hill Gardner said involved Officer Mark Dunn directly. "Everybody was hands on deck," she said, describing mutual‑aid responses by neighboring departments and the arrests that followed. Chief Dylan thanked the council and community for recognizing the response and for the outpouring of support for injured officers.
Community groups also offered formal thanks. Laura Denoia, co‑president of the Women's Club, presented pins to honor first responders and said the club solicited donations and designs to make the recognition visible in town. Visiting police leaders, including Chief Tom Cox of Carlstadt, offered remarks praising the departments’ collaboration.
The council did not take formal legislative action on the proclamations; several will be presented to honorees and dispatch staff at their workplaces in the coming days. The meeting moved on to routine business and other presentations following the recognition.
The borough’s next scheduled reorganization meeting is Jan. 6, 2025.
