The Sheriff's Office provides security in the Superior Courts for Judges and participants. They are the responsible law enforcment agency in the transportation of prisioners to and from the Correctional Facility to the Courts. They provide law enforcement action in all the County Parks and County Roads. They enforce all bench warrants issued for an arrest by Superior Court Judges and all auction sales of foreclosed properties in the County. It is a Constitutional Office established by the State of New Jersey. Their job and responsibilities are vastly different than the Municipal PD.

I don't really get what this office is responsible for. I checked out their website and it seems that many of the "functions" of the sheriff's office would overlap with local PD's. Why is this an elected postion?

Undersheriff Frank Schillari will be Hudson County's new sheriff, rolling over his current boss, Juan Perez, with HCDO backing

Wednesday, November 03, 2010
By MELISSA HAYES
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

There's a new sheriff in town.

Surrounded by Hudson County sheriff's officers, family and friends, Undersheriff Frank Schillari celebrated his victory over his boss last night.

"It's a great honor for me to lead the Sheriff's Office into the next decade," he said. "I am just overwhelmed. I can't wait to take over as the next sheriff of Hudson County."

Schillari, who was in North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco's office when he got the results, said public safety will be his top priority. He thanked the local elected officials, Hudson County Police Benevolent Association and supervisors' union for supporting him. More than 50 sheriff's officers attended the celebration at Schuetzen Park in North Bergen.

Schillari, who ran on the Hudson County Democratic Organization line, defeated Sheriff Juan Perez in a contentious race that focused more on personal charges than campaign issues.

With 68 percent of the vote last night, Schillari had 31,928 votes to 16,047 for Perez, a 65 to 33 percent margin.

Perez, 59, of Bayonne, dropped his Democratic Party affiliation earlier this year and became a Republican when the HCDO made it clear it was backing Schillari. Perez was elected in 2007 and took office in 2008.

Both major party candidates did far better than North Bergen independent Herbert Shaw, who with no law enforcement experience was running to promote his 40-year slogan, "Politicians are Crooks."

Schillari, 63, of Secaucus, said he plans to reorganize the department to eliminate unnecessary overtime and increase efficiency.

He also pledged to revive special patrol divisions, including the bicycle patrol in county parks. In addition, he hopes to open a Bias Crimes Division, Marine Division, and Search and Rescue.

In March, Perez fired Schillari, saying that he no longer had confidence in him. Schillari was reinstated in April. During the campaign, Schillari accused Perez of nepotism and political favoritism - things he said he won't allow. The Democrats also accused Perez of campaign finance violations, which he denies.

At the same time, the Perez team pointed to a lawsuit filed by a county resident that raises questions about Schillari's primary residence.

According to the suit, Schillari's wife claimed the couple's Florida home as her primary residence and received a tax exemption there. Schillari said the couple was separated at the time and has since reconciled.

2 top contenders for Hudson County sheriff next Tuesday have run campaigns based on personal charges

Thursday, October 28, 2010
By MELISSA HAYES
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

As the top contenders, two native sons of Jersey City are battling it out for Hudson County sheriff in a race dominated by accusations of campaign finance violations and wrongful property tax exemptions.

Frank Schillari, 63, of Secaucus, has served as an undersheriff in the department for 14 years. He's running in next Tuesday's election with the backing of the Hudson County Democratic Organization.


The incumbent, Juan Perez, 59, of Bayonne, was first elected in 2007 and took office in 2008. Earlier this year, he dropped his Democratic Party affiliation and registered Republican when the HCDO made it clear the organization was backing Schillari.

The Democrats have accused Perez of campaign finance violations, which he denies.

The Perez team points to a lawsuit filed by a county resident that raises questions about Schillari's primary residence.

According to the suit, Schillari's wife claimed the couple's Florida home as her primary residence and received a tax exemption there. Schillari said the couple was separated at the time and has since reconciled.

Schillari says his disdain for Perez's leadership is what prompted him to run.

"Nepotism and political favoritism have become real problems, harming the morale of the department," Schillari said. "I intend to reorganize the department, eliminate unnecessary overtime and take politics out of office."

But according to Perez, morale in the department was an at an all-time low prior to his election in 2008 and has steadily improved under his leadership.

Perez helped negotiate a new labor contract with sheriff's officers that hiked some salaries 30 percent, bringing the officers in line with area municipal departments, said his campaign manager, Bob Knapp.

"His first job was to improve and enhance the morale of the men and women in that office," Knapp said.

Perez also takes credit for upgrading the department's technology with new computers and hand-held devices to assist officers during traffic stops.

Knapp said Perez's motto has been accountability and efficiency, which also happens to be Schillari's campaign platform.

"My plan is to reorganize the department to increase efficiency, boost morale and make sure we spend taxpayer money more effectively," Schillari said. "I will expand the capabilities of our force and coordinate public safety efforts with local police departments wherever possible."

Voters also have another choice in the sheriff's race on Tuesday. Perpetual candidate Herbert Shaw, 80, of North Bergen, has run unsuccessfully for various offices in the county for the past 40 years. His slogan is "Politicians are Crooks."