Parts stolen from special needs vans in Florham Park

FLORHAM PARK - Five vans used to transport adults with special needs were damaged and left undriveable after someone stole their catalytic converters.

The Catalytic converters were taken from five of the nine vans used to transport clients in the adult P.R.I.D.E. program which is part of the ECLC of New Jersey. ECLC provides “Education, Careers & Lifelong Community” for children and adults with special needs. The P.R.I.D.E. program stands for “Promoting Responsibility, Independence, Decision-making and Employability.”

The vans brought the adult clients into the surrounding community for their daily activities, leaving many of them now “grounded” until the vans can be repaired, according to Amalia Duarte, Public Affairs Director for the ECLC of New Jersey.

The crime was discovered by P.R.I.D.E. staff member Jennifer Bradshaw Wednesday morning when she went to move one of the vehicles.

“I turned on the van, and there was a loud bang that sounded like an explosion, and it started shaking,” Bradshaw said.

After discovering what the problem was, P.R.I.D.E. Director Dot Libman immediately called the police.

“What’s really awful is the vans all have magnets on the back with our logo that says we are a special-needs organization,” Duarte said. “But that didn’t stop these mean-spirited thieves.”

Catalytic converters have a high “scrap” price, with some larger ones reselling for more than $100.

Florham Park police were at the Passaic Avenue P.R.I.D.E. Center Wednesday investigating the situation. Sgt. Scott Bartell said police determined the crime was committed between 11 p.m. Tuesday and 5:30 a.m. Wednesday. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 973-377-2200 or the Morris County Crime Stoppers at 973-COP-CALL.

Duarte said they are buying replacement parts to fix the vans "because that’s too many out of commission at once.”

The Florham Park P.R.I.D.E. Center serves 128 clients, offering structured activities for adults with special needs including Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder or other developmental disabilities.

The clients are graduates of ECLC’s schools in Chatham and Ho-Ho-Kus. P.R.I.D.E. focuses on continuing their development and training in activities of daily living and social and pre-vocational skills. The center has teaching kitchens, computer rooms, activity spaces, areas for meals and for clients to complete in-house, contracted work.

“Without vans, our clients would be limited to activities at our centers,” Duarte said. “Instead, every day, our clients venture into the community for volunteering and work opportunities, socializing, exercise, enhancing their independent living skills, and much more. Their days are filled with laughter, camaraderie and, most importantly, purpose and meaning.”

Community activities and trips that utilize the van include performing in a chorus and musical theater group at nursing homes, playing sports and other fitness activities, volunteer work in the area, and campus activities with peers at Montclair State. They also take day trips to places including Point Pleasant Beach, Liberty State Park in Jersey City, Alstede Farm in Chester, Garrett Mountain in Woodland Park and area shopping malls.

Staff Writer Michael Izzo: 973-428-6636; mizzo@GannettNJ.com