Borough of Glen Rock history

He opened his seed store and greenhouses in 1886.

At the time the Borough was formed in 1894, there were three hotels: Wagoner's, at Harristown and Maple; Old Half-Way House, between today's Municipal Annex and Maple Rock Exxon station on Maple Avenue; and O'Neill's, at Amherst Court and Maple Avenue.

The last notation concerning these lights was May 7, 1896 when the Glen Rock Council instructed the borough clerk to notify the Ridgewood Power and Light Company to fill up the holes that were left when the poles were removed.

The first record of relief work is noted when Councilman Garret T. Hopper reported spending 75¢ on needed groceries for a family in August 1897.

In January 1898 there is a report that "Some roads blockaded with snow, but had been opened". It is well to consider the operation involved.

On September 1, 1918, the Glen Rock Police Department was formed with the appointment of its first full time police officer, James R. Houlihan.

The first police car was purchased in 1923, assisting the officers who patrolled the borough on foot and on Motorcycle.

By 1928 the department had grown and now included seven officers.

Throughout the 1950’s, 60’s, and 70’s, manpower and equipment began to improve.

As information system technology began to emerge during the 1970’s, the Glen Rock Police became involved in a countywide movement aimed at computerizing criminal records as part of a larger federal program.

In 1984, Glen Rock was one of the first police departments in Bergen County to issue semi-automatic 9mm handguns to its officers.

In January 1999, the department instituted an enhanced emergency medical program under which all members of the patrol force were trained in the use of portable cardiac defibrillation units known as AED’s.

In April of 2002 the Department replaced its long outdated MDT, in-car computer system and purchased Mobile Data Computers.

Having out grown its former substandard facility at old Borough Hall, the Glen Rock Police Department, along with other Borough Offices, moved into a temporary Police Headquarters at 175 Rock Road behind the CVS in 2007.

The department operated out of this location until January of 2010 when operations were moved back to a newly renovated and state-of-the-art police facility at the Harding Plaza Municipal Building.

In 2017 Special Police Officers were added to the ranks of the GRPD to replace the Auxiliary Police.