Alarmed And Arrested: Paterson Councilman Busted For False Fire Alert

Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes announced the arrest of Paterson Councilman Luis Velez, 58, on Tuesday, August 5, 2025. The charges follow a Public Integrity Unit investigation by the Prosecutor’s Office.

Velez was taken into custody without incident in Totowa, NJ. He faces a third-degree charge of False Public Alarms—a felony that carries up to five years in New Jersey State Prison.

The charge stems from a September 8, 2024, incident at Paterson City Hall. Around 2:30 p.m., Velez allegedly activated a fire alarm in the building's basement despite no emergency. Surveillance footage reportedly shows him entering with two women and repeatedly pressing the alarm box until it triggered.

The alarm forced a full evacuation and drew an emergency response from the Paterson Fire Department.

Velez is due in Central Judicial Processing Court on August 22, 2025.