Meet Strobe, Secaucus Police Dept.'s First Police Canine

SECAUCUS, NJ — At the Tuesday night Council meeting, the town of Secaucus was officially introduced to Strobe, the first and only K-9 to join the Secaucus police force.

While it's exciting to see any police service animal in action, Strobe has a special history: This ten-month old German Shepherd was named for Steven Strobert, a man who was raised in Secaucus and was killed in the 9/11 World Trade Center terrorist attacks. He was 33 years old.

Strobert worked as a trader with Cantor Fitzgerald. He never made it out of the 105th floor on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001.

"I didn't think I would get emotional tonight," said Councilman Rob Costantino, after the police dog was unveiled. "I was best friends with Steven, so to see his name on the back of the dog ... That's what we called him, Steve, his nickname was Strobe."

Strobert grew up in Secaucus and attended Secaucus public schools; he graduated from Secaucus High School. He was an avid Jets fan with season tickets, and also survived the first 1993 WTC bombing, where he helped a pregnant woman down one hundred flight of stairs. Stobert had recently married and moved to Ridgewood shortly before the terrorist attacks; he and his wife were raising a toddler son at the time of his death.

"I remember that night, Sept. 11. A bunch of us went to his house in Ridgewood and sat in his yard and just waited for him to come home," recalled Costantino. "Of course, he never did. I really did not think I would get emotional. I know Strobe is smiling down on all of us, to see his dog fighting crime."

Strobe was purchased entirely by the Steven Strobert Foundation, at no cost to Secaucus taxpayers. The dog was purchased for $11,000 from Connecticut Canine Services.

"As time goes on, people forget. So it's so nice to see the dog named in his honor," said Councilman Mark Dehnert, president of the Steven Stobert Foundation and his daughter Melissa, in her early 20s, sits on the board.

Strobe has already been used to investigate two crimes so far in Secaucus, said police, including this incident last Wednesday, May 5 where an Englewood man stole a car from the Subway parking lot on Meadowlands Parkway and later abandoned the car in town. Strobe, with his handler, Officer Vincent DeFazio, tracked the suspect to the parking lot of the Extended Stay motel, where he was arrested.

If you want to learn more about the Secaucus Police Dept., there will be a public meeting from 6-7 p.m. June 3 in the Harmon Cove clubhouse parking lot, where the public will be briefed on safety initiatives, any crime trends and COVID recovery. Who knows, Strobe may even be there, doing some tricks.

Secaucus police force now has two dogs, a therapy dog and a trained K-9

The Secaucus Police Department already has Oakley, the therapy dog that is taken to fairs, street parades and to comfort seniors and children.

Strobe is different: He is a trained police canine.

That means he and DeFazio underwent 29 weeks of rigorous training at the Bergen County Sheriff’s Canine Academy, which culminated just yesterday, May 10.

Officially named the "Secaucus Police Canine Patrol Team," dog and handler have been trained in agility, obedience, article/evidence searches, scent work, criminal apprehension and handler protection. Strobe has also been trained to detect various controlled dangerous substances and drugs, with the exception of marijuana. (A major change was made to New Jersey law this year, where police officers cannot stop and search a person or car based solely on the odor of marijuana. This was part of New Jersey legalizing marijuana in 2021.)

"Strobe will also be used at community demonstrations, in hopes of enhancing our community policing efforts," said Secaucus Police Chief Dennis Miller.

Getting a K-9 for the SPD has been a priority for Chief Miller since he was sworn in last year.

"When I told the mayor I wanted a police dog, his eyes lit up," said Miller Tuesday night. “I truly hope Strobe brings the Strobert family some solace by knowing that Steven’s memory will live on."

“Adding canines to our police force is something I always dreamed of,” said Mayor Mike Gonnelli. “Strobe will be an addition to the police department’s proactive policing efforts, and serve as a remembrance of one of our beloved residents."

The Secaucus Animal Shelter, under the leadership of Chris Conte, is donating veterinary services for Strobe.

“It is my pleasure to sponsor Strobe, our first K-9 dog,” Conte said.

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