Crime & Safety

Despite Recent Shooting, New Milford Police Chief Assures Residents Community is Safe

Chief asks residents to keep family of victim in their thoughts and prayers.

Dear New Milford Residents,

As a community we find ourselves today struggling with the horrific events that unfolded Saturday morning that caused the death of Alex Bridge. Events of this nature shake the very core of our security especially when a young life is taken in such a reckless manner. 

Alex was an honor student, student athlete and an active member of the New Milford High School community, graduating in 2009. The New Milford Police Dept. sends heartfelt condolences to the Bridge family, as I know many of you already have. His family has had their lives changed forever and the lingering question “why?” will remain a constant in their lives. We will all hug our children tighter as the realization of how quickly life can change sets in over the next few days, weeks and months.

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Unfortunately, with tragedies of this nature rumors begin to circulate that do nothing but add to the concerns of the community. I can assure you that although this investigation is ongoing our community remains secure. Thanks to the combined efforts of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, the New Milford Police Dept. and Bergen County Sheriff’s Dept. BCI all parties involved have been identified and two suspects were arrested within hours of the incident.

We are now left with the difficult task of explaining to our children how someone could die so young, so unnecessarily, never to fulfill his dreams. We are also left with the task of consoling the Bridge family in their unspeakable loss. Therefore, as a community let us keep them in our thoughts and prayers.   

Find out what's happening in New Milfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Frank Papapietro, Chief of Police


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