The British prince’s brief walking tour included fewer than a dozen homes in upscale Mantoloking, which saw more than 500 ravaged by the storm.

On the flip side, he got a boardwalk look at Seaside Heights, where demolition began today on the Jetstar roller coaster — an iconic image of the storm’s impact on one of the Northeast’s most identifiable regions. He even tossed a few plastic balls along with the governor, winning a “Hello Kitty” doll for a 7-year-old girl.

Jerry DeMarco
Editor / Publisher

Some people took to hoisting Union Jacks to welcome Harry, even though the Continental Congress declared our ancestral colonies independent of Great Britain 237 years ago this July 4.

Harry — who doesn’t include carpentry on his resume — didn’t roll up his sleeves and try to help fix up any of the 360,000 or so New Jersey homes or apartments damaged by the storm.

Nor was any mention made of him dropping a few pounds — as in: dough-re-mi — to help offset the $37 billion cost of repairs.

In the end, When Harry Met Sandy was all it appeared: a weekday publicity stunt that hardly created enough business to warrant Shore operators starting the summer season early.

After getting out of Dodge, Harry was headed for some polo in Connecticut — but not before attending an afternoon event promoting British trade and throwing a pitch to promote a community baseball program made possible by a foundation he helped create.

Tonight, he’s the honored guest at a fundraiser for the foundation.

No fundraisers are planned for New Jersey or its hurricane victims — at least not by Harry’s foundation.

All we got was pompous circumstance.

PHOTO ABOVE: Rich Demczyszyn (On the Spot Graphics)

It’s gotten to the point that Fort Lee Police Chief Keith Bendul and Ridgewood Police Chief John Ward have joined those law enforcement officials putting undercover officers on the street to catch motorists and pedestrians breaking the law, in the hopes of deterring others.

It could simply be a function of the economy that more people are hoofing it instead of driving or taking the bus. Or it could be that suburbs are filled with cars.

Jerry DeMarco
Publisher/Editor

Then again, it could very well come down to deficits of attention.

“We are concerned by the recent trend in pedestrian fatalities and are asking motorists and pedestrians to be mindful of each other on the roads,” said state Division of Highway Traffic Safety Acting Director Gary Poedubicky.

“Both groups share a responsibility to follow our laws,” he said. “Drivers need to stop and stay stopped for pedestrians at crosswalks and pedestrians should only cross at crosswalks. Obeying the law will help ensure a safe holiday season.”

New Jersey law requires you to obey pedestrian signals and use crosswalks at signalized intersections, as well as to yield the right of way to traffic if you aren’t crossing within a crosswalk or at an intersection.

The ticket carries a $54 fine, plus court costs.

Motorists who fail to yield to pedestrians face a $200 fine, plus court costs, and 2 points off their licenses. They can also be subject to 15 days of community service and insurance surcharges.

Drivers know what they should do, but pedestrians can always use refreshers. So instead of taking things for granted when you hit the bricks, consider ways of not hitting the pavement:

• Be particularly wary of nearby moving vehicles. You don’t know what could happen, and you should be ready in case something does;

• Consider how some people drive — while texting, having a phone conversation, fiddling with the stereo — or drunk. Assuming that ANY driver will see you is taking a huge risk;

• Don’t get lost in a song, a text, a phone conversation, a talking book — or deep thought. Know what’s going on around you. That includes HEARING as well as seeing (Think of it this way: You could get mugged);

• Cross at crosswalks and permitted areas only. Why increase the already existing risk – or end up with a ticket?

• Don’t assume traffic will stop because you entered a crosswalk. This is New Jersey, remember.

• If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic and make eye contact with motorists. Yes: EYE contact.

• You can laugh if you want, but drunk walking is extremely dangerous. Many people have been crushed after losing their balance and falling into the path of a moving vehicle, and that includes trains. Get a ride, sleep over, have someone escort you to your door — or don’t drink too much.

• One other thing: Nighttime accounts for only 20 percent of car journeys but 40 percent of all fatal accidents. Think about it.

ANOTHER WARNING: If your car breaks down on a highway, the NJ State Police advise, pull as far from traffic as possible and keep your flashers on. If the car stops dead, DON’T get out until you and your passengers, if any, can see a clear break. And DON’T stand around the car, especially on rainy or icy roads, for obvious reasons.

We have literally reached a crossroads in our so-called evolution.

If you see something suspicious taking place, report that behavior or activity to local law enforcement — or in the case of emergency, call 911.

Factors such as race, ethnicity, national origin, or religious affiliation alone are not suspicious. For that reason, the public should report only suspicious behavior and situations — e.g., an unattended backpack in a public place or someone trying to break into a restricted area) rather than beliefs, thoughts, ideas, expressions, associations, or speech unrelated to terrorism or other criminal activity.

Only reports that document behavior reasonably indicative of criminal activity related to terrorism will be shared with federal partners.

An alert public plays a critical role in keeping our nation safe.

Beware of scammers

Almost immediately after the bombings in Boston, scams hoping to take advantage of those offering aid to victims started popping up around the Internet.

According to the New York Daily News, more than 20 websites were registered Monday with domain names such as:

• bostonexplosion.com

• bostonmarathonvictimfund.com

• bostonrelief2013.com.

If you get a phone call from an organization called “Donations for the Boston Explosion,” that’s a scam, according to Blue Alert, an an organization dedicated to the arrest of criminals who injure police officers.

The Township of Washington Community Policing Unit provided the following tips to people wishing to help:

• Only give to charities you personally know and trust— or do more homework before contributing;

• Be suspicious of immediate donation requests. Scammers know we are all feeling an urgent need to help and they will capitalize on it;

• Remember it is not necessary to donate immediately. Take your time and donate to a legitimate organization that is offering assistance to victims. Victims will need your help not just today – but in the days to come;

• Don’t give in to pressure. Tell the solicitor you want to take time to make your decision;

• Don’t pay by cash. Pay by check and make it out to the charity (using its full name, not initials)– not to the fundraiser;

• Never give your credit card number to a fundraiser over the phone;

• If the fundraiser comes to your door, always ask for identification. Or you can take the fundraiser’s information and mail your check directly to the charity;

• Don’t be fooled by a name. Some phone charities, including for-profit companies, have sympathetic-sounding names, or names that closely resemble those of respected, legitimate charities.

You can contribute to The Red Cross disaster fund. And the Salvation Army is providing support to survivors and first responders.

This marks 40 years that Washington Township Police Chief Randy Ciocco has been a member of the department. The township’s fifth chief, he officially took over in October 2010 afer serving as active chief for five months. Those who know him praise Ciocco for his communication skills.

Fair Lawn Officer Mike O’Brien

The outpouring of support comforted many of us on that distressing day and we wholeheartedly appreciate the Memorial wreaths, Police Honor Guards, Motorcycle Squads, and those who took time out of their day to be a part of something so important.

It’s hard to believe that 10 years has come and gone since our sister was taken from us.

Every day, we think of her and her family, and remember the positive impact she has had on all of our lives.

We will never forget MaryAnn, her sense of humor, her great big heart, her love of her family, and her care and concern for the children of this municipality.

This year, when your child receives a glow stick for Halloween, please know it was MaryAnn who wanted to make sure our kids stay safe even after she is gone.

Michael O’Brien, President
Fair Lawn PBA Local #67

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RELATED:

Hundreds gathered Wednesday evening to pay tribute to the borough’s first female police officer, just yards from where she was gunned down coming to the aid of a fellow officer. READ MORE ….

A memorial service unlike any other is being planned for Fair Lawn Police Officer Mary Ann Collura, who was shot and killed coming to the aid of a fellow officer trying to arrest a murderous ex-con a decade ago. READ MORE ….

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I respect the fact that Chief Higgins is trying to promote his agency and provide a clearer picture of the role his officers play in providing law enforcement services to the residents of Bergen County. However, I do not understand why Chief Higgins feels the need to continuously denigrate and diminish the role that the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office has in providing law enforcement services to taxpayers, in order to promote the Bergen County Police Department. It is unprofessional and uncalled for.

Chief Higgins claims that he respects Sheriff Michael Saudino, yet he raises concerns about law enforcement decisions being put into the hands of a “politician.” By his own admission, Chief Higgins says he reports to and takes direction from County Executive Kathleen Donovan, who by many accounts, is proving to be one of the most polarizing and controversial political figures in recent history within Bergen County. In her absence, County Administrator Ed Trawinski is his boss. Both are career politicians without one single day of law enforcement experience.

That puts Chief Higgins in the Number 3 spot within the chain of command and the decision-making process.

Conversely, Sheriff Saudino and his Undersheriffs provide the benefit of nearly 150 years of law enforcement experience to the citizens of Bergen County. Who do YOU think is more qualified to make decisions that could mean the difference between life and death?

“I respect the Sheriff’s Office, but they can’t be police officers,” Chief Higgins said. “They are corrections officers by title and work the jails or the courts.”

This isn’t only completely inaccurate — it’s insulting to all Correction and Sheriff’s Officers.

Obviously the Chief has no idea about the divisions that comprise the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, about Civil Service titles or about our job descriptions. Our sworn Correction Officers operate the cleanest and safest county jail in New Jersey, hands down. Our sworn Sheriff’s Officers provide a multitude of law enforcement services to the community (SEE: www.bcsd.us) and our duties are far from limited to the “courts and jails,” as Chief Higgins would have you believe.

As Sheriff’s Officers, we receive the same training and are empowered with the same duties and responsibilities as any police officer in the State of New Jersey. In fact, sworn members of the Sheriff’s Office work side by side with members of the Bergen County Police Department serving as the lead instructors for Basic Police Officer Training at the Bergen County Law and Public Safety Institute.

What’s more: We also have the authority to provide several other services that County Police Officers do not (SEE: Title List).

“Higgins added that the expectations of the officers in each department differ,” an article about his recent statements said.

What expectations is he referring to?

I can tell you the expectations we have as proud Sheriff’s and Correction’s Officers: Waking up each day, arriving at work safely and on time, getting our work assignment for the shift, remaining diligent to our duties — while maintaining a fair, firm, and consistent work ethic — and, God willing, returning safely home to our families.

I can’t imagine that his officers wouldn’t share the same expectations.

To be on the verge of extinction and constantly in the political cross hairs has to be a terrible feeling, and I do not wish that upon anyone. Again, I respect and appreciate why Chief Higgins is out there defending and promoting his Department. I have many friends and colleagues in the Bergen County Police Department, yet it is dialogues such as this that create an unnecessary strain between our two agencies. To recklessly and purposefully try to minimize the role of one county agency in an effort to promote your own is inappropriate and unprofessional.

Chief Higgins, I urge you to find a way to defend your department without taking bush-league cheap shots at the hard-working men and women of the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office.

Respectfully,

Michael J. Doyle
President
PBA Local #134

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RELATED:

YOU READ IT HERE FIRST:A state court has rejected a bid by New Jersey PERC to intervene in Bergen County Executive Kathleen Donovan’s appeal of a local judge’s decision that she implement 2011 and 2012 pay raises negotiated by Sheriff Michael Saudino and the union representing his officers. READ MORE….

Bergen County Executive Kathleen Donovan

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Jerry (above) died from his injuries at Hackensack Medical Center several hours later.

The woman driving the car that hit him told investigators she never saw him, and the evidence at the scene corroborates her account. The only witnesses to the accident were traveling 3-4 car lengths behind the driver and saw him clearly before he was struck.

In fact, the witnesses stated that they observed him walking “from the west curb line towards the east curb line, crossing the skip line, and walking into the left lane and the path of the vehicle,” as reported in the NJ Police Crash Investigation Report completed by investigators from the Fort Lee Police Department.

The accident report also indicates that the driver failed to yield the right of way to Jerry and she was later issued a summons for careless driving.

The report leaves many unanswered questions, however, as to the cause of the accident, not least of which is why the driver failed to see him. The report indicates the driver’s physical status was “apparently normal” but does not indicate whether the driver was distracted or speeding at the time of the accident.

We believe it is incumbent upon the prosecutor representing “The People” to determine the true cause of this accident.  We believe a reasonable person reviewing the evidence presented in the Crash Investigation Report will conclude that the driver was distracted. We are seeking an honest and transparent account of what happened that day and so far we have been disappointed.

We saw the recent news that Fort Lee is launching yet another pedestrian safety campaign aimed at reducing the number of accidents involving pedestrians. We applaud your recognition of the problem and concern for Fort Lee’s residents, but feel your proposed solutions are inadequate, misguided, and ineffective.

The new “Be Seen, Be Safe” campaign follows a previous campaign launched in March 2012 by former Police Chief Thomas Ripoli. At the time, Chief Ripoli stated that he was “instructing his officers in the coming weeks to focus not only on the motorists, but also on the pedestrians for enforcement of traffic laws, more specifically J-Walking.”

He stated that pedestrians should resist using their cell phones while crossing the street, yet failed to admonish motorists for doing the same.

Now, twelve months after the last campaign, the town is embarking on another effort which appears to be similarly focused on pedestrians and how they can make themselves safer. Why is another campaign necessary so soon after the last one and why is there no mention of the large number of distracted drivers, which according to Fort Lee residents is a major contributor to the high volume of accidents on the town’s streets?

Statistics show that Fort Lee averages more than one pedestrian accident per week with the incidence rate relatively steady over the past few years. Twelve pedestrians have been struck in the first two months of 2013, on pace to surpass last year’s annual figure of 68 pedestrians hit.

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RELATED STORY: With the numbers of Fort Lee pedestrians struck by vehicles mounting, Fort Lee police today launched an official town-wide enforcement campaign targeting drivers who don’t yield and those who don’t cross the street where they should. READ MORE….

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We all agree that pedestrians need to do their part and are often to blame in these accidents, but focusing your campaign almost exclusively on the pedestrians, while ignoring the issue of distracted and reckless driving, is both short-sighted and naïve.

We are not interested in publicity stunts and public relations campaigns. As Jerry’s family, our motivation is to see fewer families suffer the way we have.

We believe your campaign needs to be better researched and more comprehensive. We suggest you look at a number of methods to improve pedestrian safety, but most importantly, Fort Lee needs a significantly stepped up police presence.

Many residents express frustration that the town’s streets are unsafe and point to the lack of law enforcement presence and effective action as a major cause. The consensus seems to be that drivers in Fort Lee violate traffic laws with impunity. Research shows that a greater police presence will be the most effective means for gaining voluntary compliance with traffic laws – far more effective than handing out ice scrapers and florescent umbrellas.

Clearly, education initiatives are important but all safety campaigns must be accompanied by strict law enforcement measures and an acknowledgment of the increasing numbers of distracted drivers contributing to these accidents. T

he fact that the National Safety Council has designated April as National Distracted Driving Awareness Month certainly warrants more attention to this issue. Distracted driving is a huge problem everywhere and your campaign needs to address this growing epidemic head on.

According to a federal study, in 2010 nearly one in five car accidents in which someone was injured involved distracted driving (based on a report issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).

An effective pedestrian safety campaign should begin with a realistic assessment of the root causes of these accidents. A zero tolerance policy for motorists who put themselves, other motorists, and pedestrians at risk would go a long way toward reducing the number of accidents in Fort Lee.

Are you and the police chief of Fort Lee aware of the research being conducted at the federal and state level regarding distracted driving and what these agencies advocate be done by various parties including law enforcement and the public – both motorists and pedestrians?

In 2011, the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) released “Distracted Driving: What Research Shows and What States Can Do.” This report summarizes what distracted driving is, how often drivers are distracted, how distraction impacts driver performance and what countermeasures may be most effective, as well as what states can do to reduce incidences of distracted driving. We suggest you consider incorporating some of their suggestions in your safety campaign.

We await your reply.

Sincerely,

Mark DeAngelis for
The DeAngelis Family

(The letter above was sent today to Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich)

The most recent lie concerns the “$10.5 million in raises” alleged in a recent [newspaper] article. The actual amount is less than half, which represents a 2% pay raise at the top step only.

Bergen County Executive Kathleen Donovan

This is the most fiscally sound contract negotiated with this bargaining unit in the history of the county. When presented with the facts by a more than hour long presentation, the Board of Chosen Freeholders quickly adopted the negotiated contract and are now undertaking an analysis to phase out the County Police Department, the duplicative law enforcement agency in the county.

The aforementioned presentation can be found at www.bcsd.us

As your Sheriff, I am abiding by the current law, NJSA 40A:9-117, which was confirmed by the Superior Court.

This law clearly states that the Sheriff shall set compensation, which is in complete compliance with the intent of the [L]egislature. This follows 25 years of precedent where the Sheriff has negotiated such contracts in Bergen County.

My administration has produced record lows in overtime hours and millions of real dollars cut from the budget. We have a responsibility to the taxpayers that we do not take lightly.

In contrast, the County Executive continues to pick fights with everyone.

This policy is costing the taxpayers millions in needless litigation. All the County Executive has to do is follow the law.

The County Executive’s statements about my office, I believe, were deliberately misleading.

(Donovan spokeswoman Jeanne Baratta didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.)

RELATED:

State court upholds Donovan request for delay in Bergen sheriff’s contract

YOU READ IT HERE FIRST: A state appeals court has ordered a delay in the implementation of new contract for the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office until it can determine whether county Executive Kathleen Donovan had the right to be part of the negotiations. READ MORE….

EDITOR’S NOTE: A news release issued by Donovan’s office this afternoon (Friday, March 29) said that the state Public Employee Relations Commission (PERC) filed a motion in state Appellate Court supporting her right to bargain sheriff’s officers’ contracts. County Administrator Ed Trawinski said: “Clearly PERC is saying that this jurisdictional contract matter is of great importance to the taxpayers and to the State’s entire collective bargaining system.” (Trawinski is running the executive’s office while Donovan spends the next two weeks rehabilitating at a Rockland County hospital from stress fractures in her back.)

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Molinelli officially puts Bergen sheriff in charge of regional SWAT, splits K-9 duties

CVP EXCLUSIVE:  As first reported here two months ago, a 2013 Law Enforcement Services Plan issued this morning by Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli officially gives county police four months to join a regional SWAT team that will be headed by the county sheriff, while giving both county agencies a month to implement a plan dividing specific K-9 duties. READ MORE….

Police officers, both active and retired, made a commitment to ensure [that] our pensions were secure under the guise of shared sacrifice, but politicians have again shortchanged the retirement system.

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NEWS: Retirement funds for local police, firefighters and state troopers in New Jersey slipped in the first year that workers were required to pay more toward their pensions. The report, released today, shows that investment returns for the funds were lower than expected — which widens the gap toward what’s needed to pay for retirements this year.

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The passage of Chapter 78 was heralded as the saving of the pension fund. Yet the decrease in the value of PFRS appears to stem from the same poor decisions that damaged the system starting a decade ago.

PBA members are now contributing 10% toward their pension, nearly the highest in the nation, and retired officers have seen their cost of living adjustment (COLA) eliminated.

But rather than place the money back into the pension system to boost its value, the [s]tate has cut the contributions into the system for local governments and has risked $200 million in pension funds by investing in the soon-to-be bankrupt Revel Casino.

The PFRS actuaries and even [l]egislators who supported Chapter 78 all agree that one of the main causes of losses in pension value was the skipping pension payments and granting of pension holidays to local governments of more than $2 billion in the last decade.

Relieving local governments of their lawful obligation on the backs of active and retired law enforcement to fund the Normal Cost of PFRS[,] as well as to pay back what they skipped paying in the past[,] has stripped value from PFRS that is needed to move us forward.

Politicians continue to push their obligations off to future generations and jeopardize the health of our pension system.

Unlike the [s]tate and local government, PBA members never skipped a pension payment.

The actuaries report gives many members pause to be concerned about more broken promises from elected officials.

Restoring the pension fund can’t just be a one[-]way street[,] and government should not be allowed to take out the extra funds that we put in to fix what the government broke in the first place.

We have a plan to convert the arena in Mackay Park into basketball courts in the summer and a venue for concerts, banquets and other events.

Every community has unique traits that define it and make it different from one another — just like people. In today’s world every community, for multiple reasons needs to extend their arms and ask for help. Today’s leaders have an obligation to offer opportunities that do not place limits on our youth to grow and develop into tomorrow’s leaders.

The role the economy has played in local government has led to cuts in services across the board. A community that is flourishing is collaborating and partnering with organizations that are willing to lend their experience and

expertise to one another. This is how we all improve not only as a community but as people.

As president of the Boys & Girls Club of Garfield’s Board of Trustees, I see all of the hard work, success – and, most importantly, the improvement — that has come to the Garfield community the past four years. Our community now has one of the strongest After 3 programs in the state, one that has been recognized by the New Jersey Department of Education.

Our club was also honored by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America as a 2012 Gold Gateway to Impact Award Winner — meaning we’ve continued to increase our average daily attendance, more than any other Club of its kind in the country.

We have enhanced programming and partnered with the YMCA and Garfield

Recreation to provide multiple outlets for our youth.

Our organization has the capacity to do great things in your community. All I ask is that you take a step back for a second and consider the big picture – and that is: to provide opportunities for youth, not to limit them or deny them.

Given the opportunity ourselves, I know that Boys and Girls Club of Garfield will help your children shine.

That’s a vision we can all share.

Lou Ann Visotcky (above) is president of the Board of Trustees of the Boys and Girls Club of Garfield, which in August obtained a 10-year city contract to run programs at Wright Arena in Englewood, which has been closed the past 10 months. Residents have questioned the cost, as well as the wisdom of having an out-of-town organization in charge. However, Mayor Frank Huttle has said the club could make the arena a year-round recreational magnet for children throughout Englewood.

The original James Bond Gang was a handful back in the mid-80s and early 90s, breaking into hundreds of homes in New Jersey, New York and along the East Coast and stealing millions in cash and jewelry. I would know: Thanks to great contacts and years of building trust, federal investigators confided in me to keep my yap shut while they assembled their case against the infamous crew.

When the big roundup went down, I had a major scoop stripped across the top of the front page.

Jerry DeMarco
Publisher/Editor

But it wasn’t all FBI: It took a well-organized effort by the federal agents in tandem with the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and local police to nail ringleaders Terence Lawton and David Kirkland and members of the gang. The case was brought by federal authorities, the charges stuck, and many of those caught did prison time.

Since then, various members returned to hitting houses after being released, while assorted spin-off crews and wannabes hit tony neighborhoods in Bergen, Morris and Sussex counties.

Hot for an angle, the media — and in some cases certain police departments  — have played the “James Bond” card.

Yes, most of those arrested have been from Englewood or Teaneck, just like the original JBG. And their M.O. in most cases has been the same: case a neighborhood in a high-end car that won’t attract attention, bust through the front door, disable the alarm system, head straight to the master bedroom and bolt with whatever cash and jewelry they can find before police have a chance to get there.

But there’s a lot missing.

There’s no tricked-out BMW with a secret drawer housed on the dashboard’s passenger side just beneath where the airbag would be. There’s no cluster of halogens that emerge from behind a hinged license plate. There’s no grease jet positioned next to the tailpipe.

More importantly, there’s no Lawton or Kirkland directing operations.

“They commit JBG-style burglaries,” a law enforcement source familiar with the bandits told me, “but they don’t consider themselves JBG members.

“They must read some of these stories and say, ‘These guys don’t know what they’re talking about’.”

The difference with Jerry Montgomery — the man arrested the other night and immediately dubbed the current JBG boss – is that he has ties to the original gang’s founders.

“You could say he was grandfathered in,” the law enforcement source said, with a smile. “But he’s no leader.”

• THE ORIGINAL JAMES BOND GANG: STIRRED AND SHAKEN (SPECIAL REPORT): David Kirkland was in his mid-20s when he hooked up with Teaneck High School buddy Terence Lawton, who owned a detailing shop in Englewood where he created a car responsible for what became their burglary crew’s nickname. READ MORE….

The mantle was taken up for a time by Daniel “Tokyo” Gaston, a close associate of Montgomery’s. Authorities said he led hundreds of break-ins, including one of Patrick Ewing’s Englewood Cliffs home and another in Alpine in which a state-record $830,000 in cash was swiped. Although not technically a Bond Gang member, Gatson – who was released from state prison in November – fit the same profile.

From COURT TV’s “Masterminds: The James Bond Gang”

If anyone in the past several years would have been considered Bond Gang capos, it was Akeem “Light” Boone and his brother, Aasim (“Sean”).

But, like Gatson, both Boones have been taken out of circulation and are facing serious prison time if convicted. SEE: Authorities nab Englewood fugitive

Barely out of state prison two years, Akeem Boone was arrested two years ago with his brother former pro basketball bust Sean Banks of Englewood and Montgomery, of Teaneck, following a high-speed chase that ended when their SUV flipped.

Authorities said the quartet had $20,000 in jewelry and other booty with them from burglarized homes in Sparta and Jefferson Township.

Akeem Boone is still being held on more than $1 million bail in the Bergen County Jail following his arrest in October. Also at the Hackensack lockup is Aasim Boone, who’s been there on $250,000 bail since a November 2011 burglary arrest in Old Tappan, where police called in officers from Harrington Park, River Vale, Westwood and the Bergen County Police K-9 Unit, who found him trying to hop a cab.

The Sussex incident alone could put him back behind bars for up to 15 years.

Sparta police said they pulled over the black 2003 Chevy Trail Blazer, but Aasim Boone hit the gas and sped off, blowing through two red lights and hitting 90 mph at one point, before the truck hit a curb and rolled about a mile away. All four occupants were trapped inside.

Akeem Boone

They included Montgomery, was out on bail at the time for a Basking Ridge break-in, and Banks, a 2003 Bergen Catholic standout who starred at the University of Memphis before fizzling out with the Hornets, who were then based in New Orleans (now in Charlotte).

Just four months earlier, Orangetown police busted the Boones for having burglary tools in their car after they were stopped while cruising a neighborhood. With them was Montgomery.

The chase and arrest officially put the Boone brothers and other members of a large-scale burglary crew with criminal pasts on the radar of law enforcement agencies that stretched from Morris to Fairfield County in Connecticut.

Last October, members of a multi-jurisdictional task force that had been tailing them burst into a Williams Street garage near the King Gardens apartment complex in Englewood and grabbed Akeem Boone – at the time a wanted felon — and other accused crew members as they tried to crack open a stolen safe.

Banks wound up behind bars again, as well: Police arrested him for domestic violence last December, while he was awaiting trials on other charges that could send him to state prison for several years. SEE: Former Englewood basketball phenom Sean Banks in trouble again

The Boones rejected separate plea deals – one that would have put the elder brother (who drove the SUV) behind bars for 15 years and another that would have meant a five-year sentence for Akeem.

Montgomery rejected a five-year deal, too, in addition to a four-year sentence he was already facing for a burglary conviction in Somerset County. It may appear worth passing up to Montgomery, who spent 2006 to 2009 in state prison on a burglary conviction.

He was again free on bail when members of the task force grabbed him and two other suspects after an area home was ransacked Wednesday night. Like him, Montgomery’s two associates — Leevan Lawrence, 30, of Englewood, and 29-year-old Courry Rice of Hackensack — were familiar to Bergen County law enforcement from similar break-ins.

Police said the three tossed a pillow case filled with stolen jewelry into the woods before they were stopped.

As of this morning, they were still in the Sussex County Jail. Montgomery has his previous bail revoked – and upped to $500,000 cash.

“Some people just don’t know any better,” the law enforcement source said of those who call Montgomery a crime boss.

“We haven’t been able to prove an organizational pyramid with these guys for a long time,” he told me. “It’s not like one guy is sitting at the head of a table like the Mafia, with everybody reporting to him and him handing out lists of houses to hit.

“All along it’s been: Someone makes a suggestion and a group of guys heads out. One could be busy, or locked up, while another is out there.

“They’re JBG-esque at times,” he said. “But these guys aren’t an organization.”

PHOTO, TOP: Jerry Montgomery, courtesy Sparta, NJ, PD
INSET: Courtesy: Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office

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EDITOR’S NOTE: A Court TV program called “Masterminds” interviewed me for a show about the original gang.

I’m not going to critique the production values — the bamboo furniture in what’s supposed to be a Bergen County mansion; the mimeographed Benjamins; the “cops” (one of whom looks to be a granddad) in baggy BLACK uniforms, driving a “HIGHWAY PATROL” car; or the infamous Beamer itself — which was midnight blue and not cherry red. But it does provide a flavor of what the original JBG was about.

During his 2009 trial in U.S. District Court in Newark, it was revealed that Kirkland tried to get a film made about the crew’s exploits but discovered that Court TV beat him to it. Using a pair of widescreen TVs, federal prosecutors played the “Masterminds” program for jurors who later convicted him.

Here’s the episode, in two segments:

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