In the Community

Community Law Enforcement Addiction Recovery (C.L.E.A.R.) & Operation Helping Hand.

C.L.E.A.RC.L.E.A.R. and Operation Helping Hand utilize the Sparta Township Police Department as a resource to link individuals affected by substance use to the Center for Prevention & Counseling for help.

Community Law Enforcement Addiction Recovery C.L.E.A.R. programs partnered with the Sparta Police Department represent a collaborative effort to address addiction issues within the community. This collaborative effort involves law enforcement officers working alongside addiction recovery specialists to provide support, resources, and intervention strategies for individuals struggling with substance abuse. The partnership with the Sparta Police Department signifies a proactive approach to tackling addiction by leveraging law enforcement resources and community outreach efforts to promote recovery and reduce substance-related harm.

“No Shave November” and “Double Down December”

No_Shave_NovemberThe Sparta Police Department embraced No Shave November as a fundraising initiative, allowing officers to grow out their facial hair in exchange for donations to a chosen charity. This departure from the usual grooming standards fostered camaraderie among officers and garnered community support. The department's participation not only raised funds for a worthy cause but also showcased their willingness to engage with the community in unconventional ways. The donation made by each officer to participate in this yearly event is $100 for a beard and $50 for a goatee.

Additionally, the department allows officers to carry on growing facial hair into December if they double their donation made in November. In 2023, the department raised a total of $3,000!

Junior Police Academy

Junior_Police_AcademyThe Sparta Township Police Department's Junior Police Academy offers a unique opportunity for young individuals to engage with law enforcement and learn about various aspects of policing. Through interactive sessions, physical fitness, and hands-on activities, participants gain insights into teamwork, leadership, and the responsibilities of being a police officer. Some of the highlights of the academy include the landing of a helicopter, K9 and bomb squad presentations. The program aims to foster positive relationships between the community and law enforcement while providing valuable life skills to its participants.

Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics New Jersey

LE_Torch_RunThis annual event is the kickoff to the New Jersey Special Olympics games and is a fundraiser for athletes’ training, competition, and leadership opportunities, according to the New Jersey Torch Run. Funds also go to health screenings for the athletes and Unified Partners. These services and the games are provided to the athletes for free using the funds raised at various events like the torch run as well as other local efforts. Sparta Police Department members participate in this event every year, and we encourage our community to come out and run with us!

 

Police Unity Tour

Police_Unity_TourIn 1997, Florham Park Police Officer Patrick Montuore had an idea: organize a four-day bicycle ride from New Jersey to Washington, D.C., to raise public awareness about law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty and to ensure that their sacrifice is never forgotten. With that, the Police Unity Tour was born.

The Police Unity Tour is an annual bicycle ride that honors law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty and raises awareness of the sacrifices made by officers and their families. Participants, including riders, motorcycles, and support personnel, travel hundreds of miles over several days, starting in New Jersey and culminating in an arrival at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. The last leg of the journey ends at the Memorial, where the participants ride their bicycles through the National Law Enforcement Memorial and are greeted by friends, family, and survivors. Once there, many Police Unity Tour members present remembrance bracelets worn on their wrists throughout the journey to the families of fallen officers.

The tour has grown into nine chapters and nearly 2,600 riders. Each participant is required to raise $2,100. A portion of the money raised covers the cost of the trip, and the rest is donated to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and Museum. Since its inception, The Police Unity Tour has donated more than 33 million dollars to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.

Sparta Police Officers have participated in the Police Unity Tour for several years. In 2023, Sgt. Fraser, P.O. Botta, and P.O. Spitzer rode in the tour, while Sgt. Schomp and Cpl. Elig assisted as support personnel. Retired Cpl. Moyle has also ridden in the tour for several years.

Cram The Cruiser/Stuff The Bus Food Drive

Cram_The_CruiserThe Sparta Township Police Department hosts the “Cram the Cruiser” and “Stuff the Bus” food drives each year. Officers join this effort each year to help with donations of food for Sussex County residents in need of assistance. Donations are delivered to the food pantry at the Sussex County Division of Social Services and will be provided to families and individuals in need in addition to supporting local food pantries.

The food pantry at the Division of Social Services provides food to residents in need throughout Sussex County, supports local food pantries whose shelves are often depleted due to the increasing demand for assistance, and provides Sussex County children with meals and snacks for the weekend through the BackPack Snacks for Kids program. Cram the Cruiser and Stuff the Bus have helped to feed countless individuals, children, and families in need throughout the county. All donations go directly to the Sussex County food pantry.

Hanging With Heroes

Hanging_With_HeroesThe Sparta Police Department holds their annual “Hanging with Heroes” event for Sparta residents of all ages. This event provides an opportunity for residents to spend time with members of the Police and Fire Departments and Sparta Ambulance Squad, as well as local veterans. This event aims to connect residents to the organizations dedicated to helping them and keeping them safe.

Children are invited to wear their best costume to join in the fun that will include food, games, crafts, music, ice cream, giveaways, and more. Several community organizations also attend the event to share information about their initiatives.

Since its inception, Hanging with Heroes has been run by members of the Police Department, who are involved in all aspects from decorating and running games to serving food and cleaning up at the end of the night.

Drive A Student To School Program

Drive_A_StudentEach year the Sparta Police Department partners with the Alpine PTO to help raise funds at their annual tricky tray event in which a student can win a ride to school from a Sparta police officer. The winning student gets picked up from their residence by a Sparta Police patrol car and gets driven to school by a Sparta police officer. The event has proven to be a huge success for both the PTO and the department.

This program has been a great way for Sparta Police officers to interact with the youth in our community and a great experience for a child in our community as well.

Coffee With A Cop

Coffee_With_A_CopThe Coffee With a Cop program is a great way for residents to join your neighbors and Sparta Township Police Officers for coffee and conversation. This is a chance for residents to ask questions, voice concerns, and get to know the officers in your community. This is a great way for our officers to interact better with the public they serve and a great way to improve community policing. Please come out and have a cup of coffee with our officers at the next Coffee With a Cop!

Child Passenger Safety Seat Installation

Car_SeatThe safety of children is always of paramount concern to parents and to us as well. One of the most likely ways that a child can receive serious injuries is when they are placed in a child seat that was improperly installed. For this reason, the department maintains a number of officers who are certified child safety seat installers. Anyone in need of having a child safety seat properly installed can contact the police department at (973) 729-6121 to make an appointment with an officer.