A Partnership For Change

A life likely saved through this Mahwah PD officer’s understanding of domestic violence and diligent response.

Our PREP classes teach officers the dynamics of domestic violence and appropriate response. Our next class for law enforcement in Bergen County (BCLPSI) is Tuesday, May 19th from 10:00AM-1:00PM. If you are a LEO, Asst. Prosecutor or Victim Witness Advocate, register now for Insight to Batterer Behavior by emailing us at [email protected].
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𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗢: 𝗠𝗮𝗵𝘄𝗮𝗵 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗗𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗩𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗟𝗼𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗚𝘂𝗻 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗺’𝘀 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲

𝐁𝐲 𝐉𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐃𝐞𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐨 (𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬)

𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗜𝗧 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘 𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗦𝗧: A Mahwah police officer is being hailed a hero for taking care to return a domestic violence victim home from headquarters -- and finding her accused assailant armed with a loaded gun outside her house.

Jason Tyler Butler, 26, of the Catskills town of Wurtsboro, NY, was arrested without incident by Officer Joseph Alvarez with a little help from his colleagues, Mahwah Police Capt. Michael Blondin said.

Butler had fled the scene when officers initially responded to an emergency call at the woman’s home last Thursday (May 7th), the captain told Independent Online News.

Butler had assaulted her twice recently, the woman told them – getting her in a choke hold both times, restricting her breathing and blood flow.

Complaints charging Butler with aggravated assault were filed, Blondin said today (Mon., May 11th).

The woman also went to police headquarters and obtained a restraining order, he said.

Given what had just happened, Officer Alvarez wasn't taking any chances, the captain said. For her safety he escorted her home after she was done.

The officer found Butler parked outside her house, Blondin said.

Backups arrived instantly and Butler was quickly seized.

In his car they discovered a loaded handgun, along with crack and drug paraphernalia under the center console, the captain said.

Butler – who’s listed in criminal records as a U.S.-born American citizen – was already awaiting trial on domestic violence aggravated assault charges out of Harrington Park last Aug. 22, 2025, records show.

Mahwah police charged him with aggravated assault, simple assault and multiple weapons charges, including possessing a firearm while committing a drug crime.

Authorities declined comment on a report from a reliable source that Butler was stopped from trying to hang himself while in custody.

He has remained held in the custody of Bergen County sheriff's officers at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus since last week’s arrest in Mahwah.

He’ll have a first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack once he’s cleared psychologically.

Are you a school counselor, nurse, or physical education teacher with questions about teen dating abuse or children who are exposed to domestic violence at home? If so, then join us for this free Q&A session with APFC, Co-founder, Allison Bressler. Drawing on her 26 years of experience, she will answer any questions you have about these issues. Email us at [email protected] to reserve your spot.


New Jersey School Counselors Association

Our PowerBack team had a great time participating in at William L. Dickinson High School in Jersey City last week. Denim Day promotes awareness of sexual assault and solidarity with victims.

Thank you Union High School for all of your wonderful support and knowing the importance of teaching our youth about dating violence.

PowerBack spent an awesome day at Union High School talking to the students about healthy dating, how to help a friend who might be in an abusive relationship, and so many more important topics. We are so grateful to for having us and to the hundreds of students who stopped by our table! 💜

Huge thank you to for welcoming PowerBack for such a fun and meaningful tabling event! 💜

We loved connecting with students and talking about healthy relationships, recognizing toxic behaviors, and sharing tools to support themselves and their friends. Stopping by to spin our trivia wheel and win prizes, students showed up with curiosity, honesty, and a willingness to learn! Conversations like these matter. Education, awareness, and peer-to-peer engagement are how we create real change. Grateful to everyone who came by our table and helped make it such a great morning!

There’s something especially powerful about students learning from students. 💜

Our PowerBack teen advocates stepped into freshman health classes to talk about teen dating abuse: sharing real tools, honest perspectives, and the kind of insight that only comes from peers. Watching upperclassmen lead these conversations and empower younger students to recognize healthy relationships is exactly how change happens.
So proud of these leaders for using their voices to make a difference.

Come join us in Bergen County for this valuable training, Insight to Batterer Behavior. This free course is available for all NJ law enforcement professionals. Email [email protected] to reserve your spot.

Bergen County Prosecutor's Office Bergen County Sheriff's Office North Bergen Police Department Daily Voice Bergen County

Grateful to Emerson High School for welcoming PowerBack to speak with students about teen dating abuse, an issue that matters more than ever. Proud to be part of conversations that empower teens with knowledge, confidence, and the tools to build healthy relationships. 💜

March is Women's History Month! Gender-based violence awareness, prevention, and support would not be the same without the contributions of so many strong women throughout history.

Lessons on Domestic Violence and Safety from Women's History - SafeHouse As we reflect on Women’s History Month, let's review these lessons on domestic violence and safety from women's history.