Clifton Merchant Magazine - November 2008

Page 60

“We saw buckets of liquid with cardboard in them,” McLaughlin recalled, adding that the contents tested positive for drugs. “They’d liquefy the heroin and then soak the boxes.” The CPD seized 12 kilos, or about $7 million, of heroin that day in one of the largest busts in North Jersey history. “It was a classic example of teamwork in the department,” said the detective. “The drug dealers didn’t win that day.” The bad guys also didn’t win on the day McLaughlin fired his weapon for the first and only time

during his more than two decades on the force. It happened in the early ’90s when he was on patrol by Styertown. Mike and another officer spotted a stolen vehicle and attempted to box it in. McLaughlin then got out of his car to approach the suspect, who subsequently put his car in drive and attempted to run Mike down. “I dove back into the car and he narrowly missed me,” he explained. “I got back out and fired at the car. We apprehended him a short time later.”

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Agents Not Pictured:

Angela Alonzo • Edwin Campos Anthony Lopardo • Carlos Mesa 60

November 2008 • Clifton Merchant

Margaret Cell 973-634-0573

Agents: Want to join our team? Call Carl at 973-519-1470

Police Unity Tour: Clifton Police, along with departments from Passaic and William Paterson University host the Nov. 15 Turkey Trot, a 5K run or 2 mile walk around Garret Mountain. Register at 10 am; the trot begins at 11:30, rain or shine. Entry fee is $20, kids under 10 are free—dogs welcome. Proceeds benefit the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial through the Police Unity Tour Riders of New Jersey. Call Ellen DeSimone at 201-3946441 or visit raceforum.com. That was back in the day when McLaughlin said there was a lot of time to engage in proactive patrol. “With the mall construction over the past 20 years, we’ve become more of a reactive, service-oriented department,” he explained. “Back when I first joined, you could go a day with just three or four calls, which gave you time to look for drugs and other things. But patrol guys now are filing about eight to 12 reports a day.” These days, the detective is not only busier with police work, but with his other obligations as well. McLaughlin served 12 years as Clifton PBA Local 36’s treasurer and was recently reelected to his second term as state delegate. As a liaison, he keeps an eye on certain legislation that affects law enforcement, and back home, he plays a role in the CPD’s ongoing contract negotiations. “It’s difficult for the Department right now because you have a large group of guys retiring, but on the flip side, you’re getting new recruits that have learned new techniques,” said McLaughlin. “The city is currently looking to hire more officers but funding is a big issue. Unlike Paterson and Passaic, we don’t get a lot of federal funding, so our citizens bear the brunt.”


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