Alfredo Gonzalez
On October 2nd, 2024, 34-year-old Alfredo Gonzalez of Guttenberg, NJ, walked into the Guttenberg Police Department to speak with officials from the Public Safety Office. During his time inside of the Guttenberg Police Department, Mr. Gonzalez expressed concern over the lighting of an in-door scented candle. Due to this concern, he contacted the Hudson County 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Line to request North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue respond to address the issue. During this 9-1-1 call, Mr. Gonzalez fabricated the need for a fire department response, regarding a non-emergency. Additionally, Mr. Gonzalez requested an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) response to conduct a mental health evaluation of an individual because they lit the scented candle and then fabricated mental health concerns to urge the response further. All of the associated 9-1-1 call recordings were gathered and reviewed. Following the investigation, Mr. Gonzalez was charged with making false public alarm/misuse of a 9-1-1 emergency line [2C:33-3E], a fourth-degree crime, and a complaint warrant was issued for his arrest.
Shortly after, Mr. Gonzalez continued to call 9-1-1 regarding non-emergent parking complaints, at which point members of the Guttenberg Police Department successfully apprehended Mr. Gonzalez on the active complaint warrant. Mr. Gonzalez was then transported to the Guttenberg Police Department for his arrest processing. Upon the completion of his arrest processing, Mr. Gonzalez was issued his complaint warrant and then lodged in the Hudson County Correctional Center.
If anyone has any information pertaining to this incident, they are encouraged to contact the Guttenberg Police Department at 201-868-3300 or email:
1. Lt. Steven Diaz sdiaz@guttenbergpolice.org
2. Det. Sgt. Marcin Rysiec mrysiec@guttenbergpolice.org
Message from Deputy Chief Frank Pelaez: This is a perfect example of the misuse of the 9-1-1 emergency communications line, which is solely intended for members of the public to report and request immediate responses from first responders to protect life, property, and ensure the safety of the public. Individuals who seek to engage in this type of behavior are only stressing the already inundated systems in place that we all rely on to provide the best services possible. Fabricating mental health concerns and attempting to elicit emergency responses without basis can lead to devastating consequences and will not be tolerated.
The charges above are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty in a court of law.