Delivered to 15,000 Plainfield "doorsteps" Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Plainfield Public Safety Director Hellwig on unexplained leave

An update on Public Safety Director Hellwig's unannounced and unexplained leave I mentioned Friday (see here): I have since been told that the Director is away on a family matter, attending the funeral of a relative.

Captain (and former police chief) Edward Santiago is in charge of the Police Division in the Director's absence.



-- Dan Damon [follow]

View today's CLIPS here. Not getting your own CLIPS email daily? Click here to subscribe.

11 comments:

Bob said...

Perhaps now that someone who knows what he is doing, something good will happen in Plainfield. Thanks Sharon and Jerry for giving Plainfield the shaft again with Hellwig. I hope he didn't take a police cruiser on his trip.

YEP I SAID IT!!! said...

Despite his flaws (and we all have flaws) there is something about this Hellwig that is okay with me. Maybe it was when he spoke at the last council meeting regarding crime in Plainfield. When HE spoke -I heard HIM speak and not Jerry or Sharon telling him what to say. And then a couple of days ago on the front page of the Courier News there was a story about the arrests in Plainfield.

I am going to wish Hellwig the best and hope he is able to clean up the crime in Plainfield.

Hellwig -show Plainfield what you can do. Prove me right . . . please!

YEP I SAID IT!!!

Anonymous said...

Yes finally a real police officer in charge of the Police Dept. This is a great day for Plainfield.
If Santiago was so bad as a Chief
Why is he back in charge Because he is the right person for the job thats why.

Anonymous said...

Even when facing death of a family member, Bob the A&%#Hole still attacks the man..totally classless

Anonymous said...

HEY MISTER DAN
NO REPORTS OF HOMICIDES THIS WEEKEND?
SANTIAGO DOING A HELL OF A JOB
HE'S IN CHARGE AND NO VIOLENT CRIMES I LIKE IT

Anonymous said...

Santiago competent? Wasn't he in charge of Plainfield and the policeman couldn't ticket speeders because they were not trained.

Santiago is a nice guy - that's it. Not manager, not competent, no vision. At least Hellwig, until he got himself in trouble, had police doing police work.

I think it is time for a new face. Actually, I think Plainfield should do away with their police and be under Union county authority.

Anonymous said...

Santiago is "in charge" for one reason and only one reason.He is the senior Captian in the Department in terms of time served.

Anonymous said...

To 2:12 pm

Since when does the Department following seniority rules. The PD is infamous form bypassing senior ranking officers and appointing others to be in charge.

Anonymous said...

Since when does the PD follow seniority rules? Evebn past administrations have been noted to bypass the highest ranking offier and appoint someone else to a higher rank. Look back in history.

Anonymous said...

This is not an apointment(permanent) this is an acting position .It somtimes makes sence to skip a sennior person if it is for a permanent position.

Anonymous said...

Captain Eddie Santiago is my God father. The way he met my father was because he found him after he was jumped on a trip to Fat Boys for some food for my mother whom was pregnant with me at the time. Says a lot about a person. There was no 911 call, just a young man crying on the side of the road with a language barrier. That didn't stop Santiago from helping. What every department needs is a Captain/chief/leader with heart and one who cares for their people and their community, such as Eddie Santiago. All I know is that he is still around because he's done a Hell of a job! Regardless people will always find a fault or negative reasons. Unfortunately people are hard to please. I'm glad he continues to work with just as much passion as he always has. His job has always been his priority and he deserves all the respect for that!