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Fanwood honors residents and responders who found missing resident after multi-county search
Summary
Fanwood officials recognized residents and multi-jurisdictional responders after a Sept. 24 search located 84-year-old Mercedes Conception; police credited social-media posts, a crossing guard’s tip and a woman who spotted Conception and called police.
Fanwood officials on Oct. 20 formally thanked residents and police agencies after a Sept. 24 search located Mercedes Conception, an elderly resident who had walked from her home with her dog and gone missing.
Mayor Mahar and John Pakol, identified in the meeting as the borough’s OEM coordinator and chief, told the council that a countywide task force, area police departments and community volunteers coordinated an extensive search. Police posted surveillance and social-media alerts and credited a Fanwood crossing guard, Connie Peterson, with an early tip that narrowed search efforts, and Suzanne Carbone with making the call that led officers to Conception in Middlesex, three counties away.
"Because of Connie, we knew the direction she went and we were able to get surveillance video and narrow the search," Pakol said. He also praised other departments for sharing information and sending resources, including drone teams and officers from neighboring towns.
Suzanne Carbone, introduced by officials as the driver who contacted police after recognizing Conception’s dog, briefly addressed the council. Natalie, identified as Conception’s niece, thanked residents and officers for their efforts and said the family was relieved Conception and her dog were safe.
Council members presented a letter of recognition and a police patch to Carbone and noted that close community communication — including subscribing to municipal "First Alert" texts and following local department social media — aided the outcome. Officers who spoke at the meeting emphasized the city’s tip- and-alert systems and urged residents to sign up for town alerts.
Officials said Conception had walked several miles without food or drink and that neighbors and volunteers helped sustain the search until officers located her. The council’s recognition included praise for interagency cooperation and a reminder that community reporting can be critical during missing-person incidents.
The borough did not provide medical details about Conception beyond describing her as safe; officials limited remarks to the search and recovery and said family privacy would be respected.
