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Blue Lines Matter Across North Jersey

More and more North Jersey towns are painting blue lines on their streets to show support for law enforcement.

From left: Officers Chris O’Shaughnessy, William Hickey, Brian Rypkema, PBA Local 67 President Luis Vasquez, and Officres Nicholas Snyder, John Rovetto, Juan Rodriguez & Javier Gutierrez.

From left: Officers Chris O’Shaughnessy, William Hickey, Brian Rypkema, PBA Local 67 President Luis Vasquez, and Officres Nicholas Snyder, John Rovetto, Juan Rodriguez & Javier Gutierrez.

Photo Credit: COURTESY: Fair Lawn PD Sgt. Brian Metzler
Rochelle Park Police Chief Robert Flannelly and Police Commissioner Jay Kovalcik joined DPW laborer Roy Spraguer in paint the township's thin blue line.

Rochelle Park Police Chief Robert Flannelly and Police Commissioner Jay Kovalcik joined DPW laborer Roy Spraguer in paint the township's thin blue line.

Photo Credit: COURTESY: Rochelle Park police
Wanaque Police (left to right): Lt. Charles Huber, Officer William Lopez, Lt. Angelo Calabro, Officer James Cappello, Office Ashley Higgins, Chief Robert Kronyak.

Wanaque Police (left to right): Lt. Charles Huber, Officer William Lopez, Lt. Angelo Calabro, Officer James Cappello, Office Ashley Higgins, Chief Robert Kronyak.

Photo Credit: COURTESY: Wanaque PD
DPW workers paint Wayne's line.

DPW workers paint Wayne's line.

Photo Credit: Tom Kaszner
The blue line is "symbolic of Little of Ferry’s support and appreciation for its police force."

The blue line is "symbolic of Little of Ferry’s support and appreciation for its police force."

Photo Credit: COURTESY: Borough of Little Ferry
Midland Park police and officials proudly unveil their blue line on Godwin Avenue.

Midland Park police and officials proudly unveil their blue line on Godwin Avenue.

Photo Credit: COURTESY: Mayor Harry Shortway Jr.
Mahwah's blue line is on Franklin Turnpike.

Mahwah's blue line is on Franklin Turnpike.

Photo Credit: PHOTO: Justin Roth
Alpine's finest drives along the borough's thin blue line.

Alpine's finest drives along the borough's thin blue line.

Photo Credit: COURTESY: Alpine Police Chief Christopher J. Belcolle
Woodland Park's line is painted.

Woodland Park's line is painted.

Photo Credit: COURTESY: Mayor Keith Kazmark
Maywood painted blues lines on Park and Maywood avenues outside the Municipal Complex.

Maywood painted blues lines on Park and Maywood avenues outside the Municipal Complex.

Photo Credit: COURTESY: Maywood PD
Outside OTPD HQ.

Outside OTPD HQ.

Photo Credit: COURTESY: Borough of Old Tappan
Northvale's blue line on Paris Avenue in front of Borough Hall.

Northvale's blue line on Paris Avenue in front of Borough Hall.

Photo Credit: COURTESY: Northvale PD
Oakland's blue line stretches down Ramapo Valley Road between Lawlor Drive and Oak Street.

Oakland's blue line stretches down Ramapo Valley Road between Lawlor Drive and Oak Street.

Photo Credit: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Glen Rock's blue line. It also has red and white.

Glen Rock's blue line. It also has red and white.

Photo Credit: COURTESY: Thomas Pimlott IV
Saddle Brook Police Chief Robert Kugler, left, and Mayor Robert White help paint township's thin blue line.

Saddle Brook Police Chief Robert Kugler, left, and Mayor Robert White help paint township's thin blue line.

Photo Credit: COURTESY: Police Chief Robert Kugler
River Vale's blue line.

River Vale's blue line.

Photo Credit: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
South Hackensack's blue line, outside the municipal complex.

South Hackensack's blue line, outside the municipal complex.

Photo Credit: COURTESY: South Hackensack PD
Hasbrouck Heights' blue line is on Boulevard.

Hasbrouck Heights' blue line is on Boulevard.

Photo Credit: Faith Ballantine-Armonaitis
Wallington's thin blue line.

Wallington's thin blue line.

Photo Credit: Jerry DeMarco
A blue line runs along Westwood Avenue downtown.

A blue line runs along Westwood Avenue downtown.

Photo Credit: COURTESY: Westwood PD
Dumont has three lines -- police (blue), firefighters (red) and EMS (green).

Dumont has three lines -- police (blue), firefighters (red) and EMS (green).

Photo Credit: COURTESY: Dumont Fire Dept.
Lyndhurst's blue line.

Lyndhurst's blue line.

Photo Credit: COURTESY: Cathi Bott Trangone
Down Broadway: Norwood's blue line.

Down Broadway: Norwood's blue line.

Photo Credit: COURTESY: Norwood Police Commissioner/Councilman Alan Rappaport
Wyckoff police, officials with thin blue line on Franklin Avenue.

Wyckoff police, officials with thin blue line on Franklin Avenue.

Photo Credit: COURTESY: Mayor Kevin J. Rooney
Fairview put its line down Anderson Avenue.

Fairview put its line down Anderson Avenue.

Photo Credit: COURTESY: Fairview PD
(From left): Woodcliff Lake Council President Corrado Belgiovini, DPW employees David Linko and Ray Blackston, Officers Simon Sherfer and Keith Kalmbach stand proudly on blue line on Pascack Road in front of Borough Hall.

(From left): Woodcliff Lake Council President Corrado Belgiovini, DPW employees David Linko and Ray Blackston, Officers Simon Sherfer and Keith Kalmbach stand proudly on blue line on Pascack Road in front of Borough Hall.

Photo Credit: COURTESY: Tomas Padilla
Ridgefield Park's blue line.

Ridgefield Park's blue line.

Photo Credit: COURTESY: Gary Defilippis
Carlstadt DPW workers painting the thin blue line on Hackensack Avenue.

Carlstadt DPW workers painting the thin blue line on Hackensack Avenue.

Photo Credit: COURTESY: Borough of Carlstadt
Washiington Township's blue line

Washiington Township's blue line

Photo Credit: COURTESY: Borough of Washington Township

Among the more recent:

  • FAIRVIEW (Anderson Avenue);
  • GLEN ROCK (Maple Avenue);
  • HASBROUCK HEIGHTS (Boulevard);
  • LYNDHURST (Valley Brook Avenue);
  • OAKLAND (Ramapo Valley Road between Lawlor Drive and Oak Street.)
  • MAHWAH (Franklin Turnpike);
  • MAYWOOD (Park/Maywood avenues);
  • NORTHVALE (Paris Avenue);
  • RIDGEFIELD PARK (Main Street);
  • RIVER VALE (Westwood Avenue and Rivervale Road).

NORWOOD also recently added a line on Broadway in front of police headquarters.

WOODLAND PARK painted one down a stretch of McBride Avenue.

DUMONT took it a step further, with lines painted for police (blue), firefighters (red) and EMS (green). See photo, above.

OLD TAPPAN did the same: https://northernvalley.dailyvoice.com/police-fire/old-tappan-adds-blue-red-green-lines-for-police-firefighters-first-aid/685172/

"As a former law enforcement officer myself, I can't tell you how much the support of the community means," Emerson Councilman Brian Downing, a retired veteran Bergen County Sheriff's officer, told Daily Voice after a blue line was painted in his town.

"I am so proud to recognize our outstanding police officers," said Midland Mayor Harry Shortway Jr. -- who is also a Bergen County undersheriff. "The blue line is a reminder of how much we respect our officers and is a public acknowledgement of the sacrifices they make for us," he said.

Northvale Police Chief William Essmann called the blue line "particularly special because it’s a very public and recognizable symbol of appreciation. “

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What about YOUR town? Check our list of stories below (and photos above).

If your town has one that wasn't reported, email: jdemarco@dailyvoice.com or text (201) 943-2794.

BE SURE TO INCLUDE: a photo, the name of the town, the street and your full name. We will confirm it and make sure it's on our list. Thanks so much!

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Some of the towns in Bergen and Passaic with thin blue lines:

ROCHELLE PARK Police Chief Robert Flannelly and Police Commissioner Jay Kovalcik joined in painting a thin blue line in front of police headquarters on Berdan Street at West Passaic Street.

CLICK HERE: https://hackensack.dailyvoice.com/police-fire/rochelle-parks-thin-blue-line-reflects-high-level-of-dedication-service/684761/

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EMERSON joined the widespread number of communities by painting a thin blue line down Kinderkamack Road in a show of support for law enforcement.

CLICK HERE: https://pascackvalley.dailyvoice.com/police-fire/emerson-latest-to-add-thin-blue-line-to-support-law-enforcement/683368/

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LITTLE FERRY officials selected a special stretch of road for its blue line to support law enforcement.

CLICK HERE: https://ridgefieldpark.dailyvoice.com/police-fire/little-ferry-paints-its-blue-line-around-police-monument/684336/

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ALPINE Police Chief Christopher J. Belcolle thanked the mayor and council for what he called a "gesture of appreciation" and "acknowledgment of support."

CLICK HERE: https://englewood.dailyvoice.com/police-fire/alpine-adds-thin-blue-line-to-support-law-enforcement/685639/

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WOODCLIFF LAKE became the latest North Jersey town to show support for law enforcement by painting a blue line in front of Borough Hall.

CLICK HERE: https://pascackvalley.dailyvoice.com/police-fire/woodcliff-lake-adds-blue-line-supporting-law-enforcement/685235/

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SADDLE BROOK Mayor Robert White and Police Chief Robert Kugler helped paint a thin blue line in front of police headquarters on Tuesday -- joining the rapidly growing number of communities in North Jersey and nationwide showing support for law enforcement.

CLICK HERE: https://saddlebrook.dailyvoice.com/police-fire/saddle-brook-mayor-police-chief-help-paint-thin-blue-line/683172/

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LODI had a large turnout for the unveiling of its blue line supporting law enforcement.

CLICK HERE: https://garfield.dailyvoice.com/police-fire/lodi-police-officials-turn-out-for-blue-line-dedication/684423/

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WANAQUE joined the growing number of towns throughout North Jersey and nationwide by painting a thin blue line in support of law enforcement.

CLICK HERE: https://northpassaic.dailyvoice.com/police-fire/wanaque-gets-help-from-ringwood-painting-pro-law-enforcement-blue-line/684698/

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CARLSTADT joined the growing trend of communities nationwide showing support for local police by painting a blue line down Hackensack Street.

CLICK HERE: https://rutherford.dailyvoice.com/police-fire/carlstadt-paints-thin-blue-line-to-support-law-enforcement/682742/

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WYCKOFF officials “once again have set the bar high” by painting a thin blue line Franklin Avenue in support of law enforcement, Acting Police Chief David Murphy said Tuesday.

CLICK HERE: https://wyckoff.dailyvoice.com/police-fire/wyckoff-police-chief-officials-set-bar-high-with-thin-blue-line/683227/

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FAIR LAWN joined the growing trend of communities painting blue lines to support law enforcement.

CLICK HERE: https://fairlawn.dailyvoice.com/police-fire/fair-lawn-paints-thin-blue-line-to-support-law-enforcement/683020/

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It began last year with small blue lines painted on curbs -- and now a growing nationwide trend has come to EAST RUTHERFORD, where police will be honored with a blue line running down Patterson Avenue and Hackensack Street.

CLICK HERE: https://rutherford.dailyvoice.com/police-fire/east-rutherford-supports-law-enforcement-with-blue-line-down-streets/682481/

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GLEN ROCK added a twist to the "blue line" movement by also painting white and red stripes in the middle of Harding Plaza in front of Borough Hall.

CLICK HERE: https://fairlawn.dailyvoice.com/police-fire/glen-rock-adds-blue-line-and-red-and-white/684161/

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WALLINGTON joined the growing trend of communities painting blue lines to support law enforcement.

CLICK HERE:  https://lyndhurst.dailyvoice.com/police-fire/wallington-paints-thin-blue-line-to-support-law-enforcement/683177/

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Dating back decades, the "thin blue line" is used throughout the U.S. and Canada to symbolize the thin line between chaos and order.

It's employed, as well, to commemorate fallen law enforcement officers and to represent the shared commitment of all of them to protecting the public.

Citizens have begun using it in curb strips outside their homes and stores, while towns have been painting lines down important thoroughfares to show police that they have their backs.

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