Politics & Government

Italian Police Visitors Feted at Special Reception

Members of Italy's Polizia di Stato are in New Jersey to celebrate Columbus Day and reconnect with their American friends.

La Polizia di Stato sono tornati in New Jersey.

For those not familiar with the Italian language, we'll translate: Italy's state police are back in the Garden State.

A contingent of officers from the Italian national police arrived Thursday for its annual Columbus Day visit, which has taken place each year since 2003. Six years ago, Parsippany was included in the itinerary.

Find out what's happening in Parsippanywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The group received a welcome at a Thursday night reception featuring Italian food—naturally—at Ravello Ristorante & Caterer in East Hanover.

The festive event, sponsored by the East Hanover Italian American Club, was attended by a full house that included many law enforcement officers from northern New Jersey. Also on hand were East Hanover Town Council President Carolyn Jandoli, who represented township Mayor Joseph Pannullo; her council colleagues Frank DeMaio Jr. and Michael Martorelli; Parsippany Mayor James Barberio; and Par-Troy Town Council Vice President Vincent Ferrara.

Ferrara, an Italian native and longtime friend of Polizia di Stato Captain Alberto Caracciolo, was instrumental in bringing the Italian police to the U.S. for their annual visit.

Find out what's happening in Parsippanywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Italian police officers, including another group visiting Ocean County, will make appearances at the East Hanover Columbus Day parade Sunday, which starts at 2 p.m. and travels along Ridgedale Avenue from Lurker Park to Town Center Square.  They will also be part of Monday's Columbus Day parade in New York City.

A ceremony to honor the group is scheduled for Monday at 4 p.m. at Parsippany's municipal building, and the Italians will be guests of honor at a Columbus Day political fundraising dinner hosted by Mayor Barberio at the Sheraton Parsippany Hotel. 


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