The Daily Newarker — Press Wire

City will launch a 30-day warning period at intersections of McCarter Highway and Edison Place and McCarter Highway and Market Street

Newark, NJ – June 29, 2010 – Mayor Cory A. Booker, Acting Engineering Director Mehdi Mohammadish, and Police Director Garry F. McCarthy announced today that the City of Newark will expand its “Project Red Light” Automated Photo Enforcement System on July 1, 2010 to two additional intersections with the launch of 30-day warning periods at the intersections at McCarter Highway and Market Street and McCarter Highway and Edison Street. During the one-month warning period, motorists who run red lights will receive warning notices, but no tickets.

On the same day, the City of Newark will also end its 30-day warning period at the intersection of McCarter Highway and South Street. All motorists who run through red lights at this intersection on or after July 1 will be issued an $85 traffic violation. A list of all intersections affected by Project Red Light, pending and active, is attached.

“This program was created for the critical purpose of increasing pedestrian and motor safety at our busiest intersections,” Mayor Booker said. “With our partners, we are now efficiently and effectively pursuing and punishing motorists who disregard our laws and disrespect the lives of our residents by running red lights, and saving many lives.”

The camera installations and activations are part of a continuing initiative to reduce the number of traffic accidents caused by motorists who ignore red lights. Newark is the first municipality in the State to implement this program. The Project Red Light Automated Photo Enforcement system first went into operation on December 16, 2009, at the intersection ofBroad Street and Raymond Boulevard and the intersection of Broad and Market Streets.

In January 2008, Governor Jon S. Corzine enacted Assembly Bill 4314, establishing a five-year pilot program to determine the effectiveness of the installation and utilization of traffic control signal monitoring systems. Under the program, a traffic control signal monitoring system utilizes cameras and vehicle sensors in conjunction with the intersection’s traffic lights to produce images of vehicles disregarding a red signal and running a red light.

“The Red Light Camera Program is supporting our Police Department in its efforts to enforce traffic safety regulations and is improving safety at our intersections for both motorists and pedestrians,” Acting Director Mohammadish noted. Twelve other intersections are also pending approval from the New Jersey State Department of Transportation.

According to Acting Manager Jack Nata, whose Division of Traffic and Signals is overseeing the implementation of the program, the City of Newark selected Redflex Traffic Systems, Inc. of Phoenix, to establish this vital safety program. “The Red Light Camera Program is one of the most important safety initiatives the Department of Engineering has ever pursued. This program is enhancing the safety improvements we have already implemented at these intersections, and has created safer intersections for pedestrians and motorists alike,” Mr. Nata said.

The type of violation issued is similar to one for running a red light captured by a police officer on the street, with the exception that no points will be assigned against the driver or the owner of the vehicle. The penalty imposed for failing to observe a traffic control device is set forth in Title 39 of the New Jersey Statutes. The automated cameras snap photographs of license plates of vehicles that run red lights, which will result in the owners of the vehicles being mailed a ticket for the violation. Violators can view the digital still images and a 12-second video of the violation online. The program is financed by a percentage of the paid violations being collected by the State and disbursed among the State, County, and City.

“The Red Light Camera Program enhances our ability to enforce traffic ordinances and maintain safety for pedestrians and motorists without incurring additional expenses or duties for our officers,” Director McCarthy said. “We are using the latest technology and maximizing those partnerships that enable us to work smarter, and to eliminate the needless tragedies that result when motorists ignore red lights.”

For information on all City of Newark programs and policies, contact the Non-Emergency Call Center at (973) 733-4311.

LIST OF ACTIVE AND PENDING INTERSECTIONS

McCarter Highway and Market Street – Warning Period Launch: July 1
Warning Period Ends: August 1

McCarter Highway and Edison Place – Warning Period Launch: July 1
Warning Period Ends: August 1

McCarter Highway and Lafayette Street – Warning Period Ends: July 15

McCarter Highway and South Street – Warning Period Ends: July 1

Broad Street and Market Street

Broad Street and Raymond Boulevard

Broad Street and Murray Street

Raymond Boulevard and Raymond Plaza West

Raymond Blvd and Prospect Street

Mulberry Street and Market Street

City partners with NJ Tree Foundation and Greater Newark Conservancy; to plant nearly 100 trees as part of effort to create a cleaner and greener Newark

Newark, NJ – April 27, 2009 – Mayor Cory A. Booker and Acting Engineering Director Mehdi Mohammadish announced today that the City of Newark is still seeking volunteers to join in an effort to plant nearly 100 trees across the City on three separate days throughout the month of May. The next such tree planting will take place at Osborne Terrace and West Runyon Street, as part of the Clinton Hill Green Celebration, at noon, tomorrow, Saturday, May 2.

The Department of Engineering has partnered with the New Jersey Tree Foundation, the Greater Newark Conservancy, and other community organizations to re-forest Huntington Terrace, the Lincoln Park area, Clinton Hill and Monticello Avenue. The cost of the diverse shade and flowering trees is being borne by the New Jersey Tree foundation, which will also provide tools, gloves, and water for all volunteers. Once the trees are planted, local merchants and homeowners have agreed to maintain the trees to help improve the quality of life in their neighborhood.

“My administration has made a firm commitment to a ‘greener’ Newark. We are in the midst of our city’s biggest park expansion and rehabilitation initiative in over a century, have begun to adopt eco-friendly practices and policies, and recognize the importance of local action to address global climate change,” Mayor Booker said. “I urge all residents to get involved and help plant Newark’s green future.”

The tree planting events will be held rain or shine. All individuals planning to volunteer should wear sturdy shoes and clothes. Each event will be supervised by members of the New Jersey Tree Foundation, beginning with a tree planting demonstration. A list of tree planting days, sites and times is attached.

“I am proud that we have been able to partner with the New Jersey Tree Foundation to bring more greenery and beauty to our streets,” Acting Engineering Director Mohammadish said, “I am even prouder that our residents are able to take part in this program, making them active partners and stakeholders in Newark’s transformation.”

The New Jersey Tree Foundation is a statewide, non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion, enhancement and development of urban and community forestry activities in New Jersey through education, volunteerism, community outreach, partnerships and grants. The Tree Foundation is committed to providing exceptional forestry programs, services and opportunities to New Jersey’s cities and towns.

“Tree planting has a wide range of benefits from environmental improvements, to social change, to improving community health, to improving the quality of life; it is a win-win for everyone,” said Shannon Buckley, Outreach Coordinator for the New Jersey Tree Foundation.

For more information, or to volunteer, contact Shannon Buckley at the New Jersey Tree Foundation at (609) 439-1755, or by e-mail at njtf_sbuckley@yahoo.com

For more information about City of Newark programs, contact the Non-Emergency Call Center at (973) 733-4311.

LIST OF TREE PLANTINGS, DATES, AND TIMES

Saturday, May 2, Noon

Green Resource Fair

Clinton Hill Green Celebration

Clinton Hill Neighborhood Association and Greater Newark Conservancy

Meets at park located on the corner of Osborne Terrace and West Runyon Street

Saturday, May 9, 9 a.m.

25 Trees

Monticello Avenue Residents

Meets in front of 71 Monticello Avenue

Monday, May 11, 9 a.m.

20 Trees

Huntington Terrace Residents

Meets at corner of Huntington Terrace and Renner Avenue

Deadline to register for program is Monday, June 1st

Newark, NJ – May 1, 2009 - Mayor Cory A. Booker and Director of Neighborhood and Recreational Services Melvin Waldrop announced today that registration is going on now for Camp Watershed, the annual FREE two-week day camp for Newark youngsters aged 7 through 14 and Project Legacy ages 15 -17, for its four summer sessions. The camp, located at Pequannock Watershed in West Milford, offers Newark youth daily activities like Hiking, Low & High ropes, Initiatives, Gardening, Boating, Swimming, Computers, Field Sports, Archery, Nature Quest, Outdoor Living Skills, Gone Green (environmental practices), and Arts and Crafts.

Registration for the four sessions is in advance, and families wishing to register must get the forms from and return them to the Division of Recreation and Cultural Affairs at 94 William Street or any local Recreation Center. Families must provide medical and health histories of their children. Registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Deadline to return forms to the Division of Recreation and Cultural Affairs is Monday, June 1.

“Camp Watershed is one of Newark’s greatest summer recreation adventures for our children,” Mayor Booker said. “This is a great program, which offers Newark kids two weeks of healthy, wholesome outdoor activities that will teach them valuable life skills, and promote lasting friendships. I urge all Newark families to take advantage of this wonderful summer program.”

Children attending Camp Watershed will be picked up daily from one of seven sites throughout the City by Division of Recreation buses, starting at 8:00 a.m. and have a return time of no later than 5 p.m. A list of sessions and pick-up/drop-off sites is attached. Breakfast and lunch are provided by the summer camp program, which is being conducted by the Department of Neighborhood and Recreational Services’ Division of Recreation and Cultural Affairs.

“For decades, Newark youngsters have enjoyed swimming, hiking, archery, and summer fun at our Pequannock Watershed,” Director Waldrop said. “I am proud of how our Recreation/Cultural Affairs team works to ensure that our children have enjoyable and memorable summers, and believe this will be our best summer yet at Camp Watershed.”

For more information on the Camp, contact Valerie James at (973) 697-9018 or jamesv@ci.newark.nj.us. For more information on Newark Division of Recreation/Cultural Affairs services, contact the Division at (973) 733-6454. For information about other City of Newark programs, contact the City of Newark’s Non-Emergency Call Center at (973) 733-4311.

CAMP WATERSHED SESSIONS

Session 1

Monday, June 29, to Friday, July 10

(The camp will be closed on July 4)

Session 2

Monday, July 13 to Friday, July 24

Session 3

Monday, July 27, to Friday, August 7

Session 4

Monday, August 10, to Friday, August 21

PICK-UP/DROP OFF SITES

East Ward

Sharpe James/Kenneth Gibson Recreation Center

226 Rome Street (at St. Charles Street)

City Hall

920 Broad Street (Green Street entrance)

West Ward

Boylan Recreation Center

916 South Orange Avenue

North Ward

Rotunda Recreation Center

75 Clifton Avenue

South Ward

St. Peter’s Recreation Center

378 Lyons Avenue (at Leslie Street)

Central Ward

Hayes West Recreation Center

179 Boyd Street

JFK Recreation Center

211 West Kinney St. (Howard Street Entrance)

Mayor Booker and Police Director McCarthy hail statistics but warn: City must continue to unite to eliminate crime and violence in Newark

Newark, NJ – May 1, 2009 - Mayor Cory A. Booker and Police Director Garry F. McCarthy announced today that the City of Newark has seen the fewest murders in 50 years in the time period between January 1, 2009, and May 1, 2009, with only 14 homicides reported. Between January 1 and May 1, 1959, the Newark Police recorded 11 homicides.

The 14 homicides for the first quarter of 2009 compare with 17 for the same period in 2008, and 32 in the first four months of 2006. Homicides are down 51 percent since 2006. In addition, shooting incidents fell 21 percent to 66 reported incidents in the first 117 days of 2009, and are down 49 percent from 2006.

“These results are tremendously encouraging,” said Mayor Booker in a statement. “We’re in this to win and for Newark that means a continuing reduction in violent crime, until everyone sees that the City is a safe place again. We still have a way to go to do that.”

Director McCarthy attributed several things to the crime reductions, but said the primary cause was “the men and women of the Newark Police Department, who are doing a phenomenal job.”

He also attributed the achievement to a variety of personnel and technological initiatives, including the re-deployment of officers to street patrol, particularly from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, when crime is most likely to occur. The percentage of police officers working weekday shifts has fallen from 60 percent to 37 percent since Director McCarthy took over in the fall of 2006.

Director McCarthy also pointed out the influence of his “CompStat” program, which uses computer technology to track crime trends and data. “We can study patterns of crime, and develop systems to improve performance, to deploy resources. Good analysis can address crime problems,” he said. “It’s a vehicle to the solution, not the solution.”

Other technical achievements include the deployment of 109 surveillance cameras on the streets of Newark, acquisition of more computers, and sonic gunshot detectors that can locate the source of a weapon being fired.

Director McCarthy also credited the improved coordination between the Newark Police Department and other county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in addressing crime, doing so in a strategic and often targeted manner. These have included such measures as the Fugitive Apprehension Team, a centralized Narcotics Squad, and the assignment of State Parole Board officers to each precinct as liaisons, to help track parolees.

Another factor in the Department’s success was the increased involvement of City residents in fighting crime, with such initiatives as the Senior Police Academy, the Clergy-Police Alliance, and the development of the Newark Police Foundation, which operates an anonymous phone tipline that pays $1,000 and $500 rewards for information that leads to arrests and indictments.

“We have seen an increase in morale, as well,” Director McCarthy added. “We have seen officers using less sick time, and we are paying out 45 percent less overtime than three years ago. And I am getting phenomenal feedback from residents, at community meetings, who tell me that they’ve seen great changes in Newark.”

However, Director McCarthy noted that the progress, while gratifying, must continue. “We have to and will keep going in this direction. We have had 20 percent cuts in shootings every year for three years. We will see more improvements,” he said.

Young adults join in “national conversation” for Earth Week; on creating local solutions to address menace of global climate change

Newark, NJ – April 23, 2009 – The City of Newark, Assemblywoman Cleopatra Tucker, Newark youth and other dignitaries held the “Cultivating Leaders: A Youth Forum on Sustainability” meeting at City Hall last night. This forum brought young adults together with City officials and environmental experts to discuss how they can contribute to Newark’s green future. The forum was part of a local component of the “National Conversation on Climate Action” and highlighted green building; gardening; renewable energy; and environmental justice.

“Newark’s youth will provide the energy, idealism and dedication needed to create a truly green City,” Mayor Booker said in a statement. “The ideas and tools they take from this forum will set our nation’s course towards a cleaner, greener future.”

Speakers included New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance Statewide Coordinator Henry Rose and Newark Environmental Commission Chair Kim Gaddy. In addition, representatives from Youthbuild; NJ Energy Diamond; the Greater Newark Conservancy; the Urban Environment Institute, and other environmental organizations gave presentations. Ms. Gaddy served as mistress of ceremonies.

“The issue of greening America has taken on new meaning and youth who will have to live with the future are a needed, and necessary component to any green urban agenda,” said New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance Statewide Coordinator Henry Rose, who served as keynote speaker.

During the forum, Assemblywoman Tucker brought greetings from her fellow state legislators, and encouraged the young adults “to be involved and active with the process of creating a cleaner and greener Garden State.”

About 40 young adults attended the forum from programs offered by partnering organizations: Youthbuild’s green building program; Newark Public Schools – students from Technology High; Greater Newark Conservancy Junior Ranger’s Program; Urban Environment Institute’s Environmental Justice program. Attendees included young adults from Covenant House and The League. In addition, a group of architecture students from the Netherlands attended and engaged in the discussion.

The meeting was part of the City’s contribution to the Earth Week program “National Conversation on Climate Action,” a nationwide initiative to promote dialogue and action on seeking local action to address global climate change.

Through events like this, the City is pursuing a participatory approach to engage the community at large in tackling climate change issues. The City of Newark’s Sustainability Officer, Chelsea Albucher, who coordinated the meeting, said “we all have a green job to do, not just on earth day, but every day. The goal of events like this is to share useful information about things we all can do to curb climate change and green Newark.”

The event is one of several the City is holding to observe Earth Week. For more information on the National Conversation on Climate Action, visit their web page at www.climateconversation.org

This year marks 27th anniversary of the observance, which honors children up to age eight

Newark, NJ – April 17, 2009 – Mayor Cory A. Booker and Child and Family Well-Being Director Maria E. Vizcarrondo announced today that the City of Newark will kick off the “National Week of the Young Child” with a celebration and rally on Monday, April 20 at 10a.m. in the Rotunda of City Hall. Director Vizcarrondo will be joined by representatives of community-based child care centers from throughout Newark for the Monday rally.

This year marks the 27th anniversary of “National Week of the Young Child,” an observance honoring more than 35 million children nationwide aged between infancy and eight, as well as the families, teachers, caregivers, and other adults who help youngsters make the most of the opportunities in their early years. Activities are planned throughout the city of Newark during the entire week of April 20 through April 25.

“The early years of life are a time of learning, growing and discovery for our youth and their families,” said Mayor Booker. “We want our young children to be able to get the most out of these early years so that they can live productive, secure and enjoyable lives as teenagers and adults. I urge all Newark families to engage their young children in our city-wide activities.”

Director Vizcarrondo said, “If we value our children, our families, our schools, and our community, we must make accessible, affordable, high-quality early childhood education a priority.”

Child-care centers city-wide will celebrate this week-long occasion with a diverse schedule of activities for parents and children. For more information on the events, please contact the City’s Office of Children’s Program at 973-733-7976.

The Historic Newark City Hall Rotunda will be the showplace for a presentation of capoeira and Afro-Brazilian dances including samba, maculele, and afoxe.  This public performance will be both entertaining and informative.  Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial art started more than 450 years ago by the enslaved in Brazil’s ports and plantations.  They used this martial art to attempt to overcome their conditions.  Today capoeira is the national sport of Brazil.  It is also a beautiful artform and the continuation of Brazil’s culture. 

Newark has several capoeira groups practicing mostly in The Ironbound.  Newark’s branch of Grupo Senzala, one of Brazil’s largest and oldest modern capoeira groups, is organizing the event.  Capoeiristas from all groups in and around Newark are participating.  Additionally, some of the best capoeiristas from around the world are flying in.  These include Mestre Toni Vargas (Rio De Janeiro), Contra-Mestre Pedro (Edinburgh), and Contra-Mestre Pulmao (Rio De Janeiro).

The event is free to the public.  It will happen on Thursday, April 23 and start at 7:00 PM.  Enter City Hall from Green Street (side entrance) and go up to the rotunda.   More information is available at www.zumbisenzala.org.

Newark youth will have opportunity to represent their neighborhoods by competing in six sports

Newark, NJ – April 9, 2009 – Mayor Cory A. Booker and Neighborhood and Recreational Services Director Melvin Waldrop reminded residents today that the City of Newark’s Division of Recreation/ Cultural Affairs will hold its 2ND Annual Newark Youth Games during the upcoming Newark Public Schools spring break to give local youth opportunities to represent their neighborhoods and recreation centers by competing in six sports.

The Newark Youth Games are free to all participants and will run from Saturday, April 11 to Sunday, April 19 at recreation centers and sites across the city.

The games will consist of a Youth Golf Tournament, the Mayor’s Basketball Tournament, Flag Football, Street Hockey, a Cheerleading Competition, and the Mayor’s Soccer Cup Weekend. Players and teams that finish first, second or third place in their events will receive gold, silver, and bronze medals. The schedule of co-ed activities is attached.

“This year we have expanded the Newark Youth Games so that residents of all ages can get involved, either as participants or volunteers,” Mayor Booker said. “This is the kind of positive activity we want to see in our neighborhoods and I encourage residents to support the games and Newark’s youngest stars.”

“We are tying together all of our Spring Break programs to create a holistic, healthy, and happy environment for Newark youngsters,” Director Waldrop said. “During their spring break, they will get an opportunity to enjoy healthy competition in a positive and wholesome environment, and learn valuable life lessons.”

“Last year’s Newark Youth Games was a great success,” said Recreation Coordinator Donnell M. Redding, who is overseeing the event. “Newark’s young people got involved with all kinds of sports and activities, and flexed their brains and muscles.”

“I had a great opportunity to have fun with new kids that I never met before. These spring break games are very exciting and I can’t wait to compete again this year,” said 15-year-old Ryan Mundine, who competed last year in Flag Football at Ironbound Recreation Center and is returning this year.

The tournament is sponsored by the Department of Neighborhood and Recreational Services’ Division of Recreation/Cultural Affairs timed and is timed to coincide with the spring recess from Newark Public Schools. For more information, contact Donnell M. Redding or Tia D. Montigue, at the Division of Recreation/Cultural Affairs, at (973) 733-6454.

2ND ANNUAL NEWARK YOUTH GAMES SCHEDULE

Saturday, April 11 Cheerleading Competition Shabazz High School
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 80 Johnson Avenue

Monday, April 13 Street Hockey West Side High School
10:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m. 403 South Orange Avenue

Practice: Monday, April 13 Youth Golf Tournament Weequahic Golf Course
Tournament: Tuesday, April 14 (9 hole)
Noon to 3 p.m.

Monday, April 13 to Friday, April 17 Mayor’s Basketball Tournament JFK Recreation Center
9:00 a.m. -8:00 p.m. 211 West Kinney Street

Tuesday, April 14 to Thursday, April 16 Flag Football Science Park High School
10 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Jones Street at S. Orange Ave.

Saturday, April 18 to Sunday, April 19 Mayor Booker Soccer Cup/ West Side Park
9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Newark Municipal Council
Soccer Tournament

For more information, contact: Division of Recreation/Cultural Affairs: (973) 733-6454

TWO WEEKS ONLY!

The City of Newark Division of Planning & Community Development and Aljira, a Center for Contemporary Art are pleased to present THIS IS NEWARK, an exhibition of proposals for marking the points of arrival to Newark and addressing the history and culture of Newark in the urban landscape.

THIS IS NEWARK Gateway Urban Design

April 8–18, 2009

Aljira, a Center for Contemporary Art

591 Broad Street (near the north end of Military Park)

Newark, NJ 07102

(973) 622-1600

www.aljira.org

Closing reception: Friday, April 17, 6 pm–8 pm

Roundtable discussion: Saturday, April 18, 2 pm–4 pm

Gallery Hours: Wednesday–Friday 12 pm–6 pm; Saturday 11 am–4 pm

Featured designers and artists:

• Ade Tugbiyele Sedita
• Agrest and Gandelsonas Architects
• All of the Above
• Andrew Maishman
• Anker West and Ada Caro
• Brian McGrath and Victoria Marshall
• C+C Architecture with Charlee Swanson and Kati Vilim
• Christian Prasch, Inbar Kishoni, Nicholas Giuliano, Eliot Maltby
• Damon Rich
• Dana Koenitzer, Lisa Smith, Troy Therrien, Sarah Williams
• Gladys Grauer / Black Woman in Visual Perspective
• Glenn Smith Studio
• G Tects
• HTDSTUDIO DESIGNOFFICE
• Interboro
• John Kudos, Preeti Sodhi, Mabel Wilson
• Ken Smith Landscape Architect
• Marielly Casanova, Jake Dorler, KJ Kim, Ashley Villapaz, and Claire Weisz
• Matt Gosser
• Michael Sorkin Studio / Terreform
• M|RUIZ design
• Newwork and City Without Walls
• Otis Berkin, Natalia Roumelioti, Erin Shaefer, David Smiley, Manuel Miranda
• Pentagram Architects
• Peter Cocoziello, Chris Gee, Jacob Gerson, and Ala Rustom
• pod design + media
• Rickenbacker + Leung
• SCAPE & MTWTF
• SL Prevost Design
• Tritronic
• WXY architecture + urban design

Project team:

• Toni L. Griffin, City of Newark Director of Community Development
• Damon Rich, City of Newark Urban Designer: Project Director
• Glen Cummings, MTWTF: Exhibition Front Matter Graphic Designer
• Janette Kim, Urban Landscape Lab: Exhibition Front Matter Co-Editor
• Grace Bogdan, Exhibition Coordinator

Thank you:

• Stefan Pryor, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development
• Victor Davson and Edwin Ramoran, Aljira, A Center for Contemporary Art
• Clement Price and Mark Krasovic, Rutgers University Institute on Ethnicity, Culture, and the Modern Experience
• Urban Landscape Lab, Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation
• New Jersey School of Architecture, New Jersey Institute of Technology
• Linwood J. Oglesby, Newark Arts Council

Newark senior citizens graduate from program with better understanding and greater appreciation for what it takes to become a Newark Police Officer

Newark, NJ – April 8, 2009 - Mayor Cory A. Booker, Newark Municipal Council President Mildred Crump, Police Director Garry F. McCarthy and Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Ron Salahuddin have announced the graduation of 32 Newark residents from the sixth Newark Senior Citizen Police Academy.

The graduation ceremony, which was held at the Newark Police/Fire Communications Center last Friday, recognized the class as Newark’s newest crime-fighting auxiliaries.

“We are uniting the wisdom, experience, and leadership of our City’s senior citizens with the commitment, dedication, and professionalism of our Police Department,” said Mayor Booker. “These graduates will serve as additional eyes and ears on our streets and neighborhoods which will aid our Police Department in the fight to eliminate crime in our city.”

Council President Crump told the graduating students that they were enjoying an opportunity to “create new trails as they serve as an invaluable resource and asset to the Police Department.”

As part of the program, graduates were provided with glimpses into the day-to-day operations of the Newark Police Department. Participants received hands-on training from Newark Police Officers, which included how to detect and report criminal activity, patrol techniques, and firearms instruction courtesy of the department’s state-of-the-art Firearms Training Simulator (FATS).

Students were also taken on ride-a-longs throughout the City, during which they joined officers in answering low-priority service calls, including a traffic stop for a wrong turn at Broad and Market Streets and a noise complaint.

Police Director McCarthy noted that shootings and violence have been steadily declining in Newark, but that crime reduction cannot be accomplished by officers alone. “You are now citizen-soldiers in our war on crime. You are going out as our eyes and ears. You can contribute to what’s happening in fighting crime, and help us do the most important thing we do as police officers – save lives,” he said.

Deputy Mayor Salahuddin pointed out the importance of serving others and recalled personal memories of making unpaid patrols while training for the Essex County Sheriff’s Department. He told the students they will share the same feeling of pride knowing that they have done something for their fellow residents by helping to ensure public safety.

After receiving their certificates, the class presented one of their instructors, Detective Debra Cole-Granger, with a plaque to thank her for her work. “They were committed and dedicated,” Detective Cole-Granger said of her class. “I talked to them about the history of Newark, the City’s achievements and how important they were to Newark and they embraced that,” she said.

The class members agreed. “I feel enlightened,” said class member and Central Ward resident Dorothy Jones. “There were a lot of things I didn’t know about the Police Department. One of the biggest things I learned was how to report incidents and activities.”

Fellow Central Ward resident and classmate Joyce Reed said her favorite unit was the Firearms Training Simulator (FATS), a computer system that simulates potential situations that may require officers to fire their service weapons. “I now understand why officers might have to draw weapons or shoot,” she said.

Last week, graduate and South Ward resident Helen McKnight was given the chance to put her training to practical use. A close neighbor, who phones Ms. McKnight every morning to check on her, was worried to find that the phone was continuously busy. Fearing that Ms. McKnight had suffered an accident or burglary, the concerned neighbor promptly notified the Newark Police Department.

“When they came to the door, I did what the class told me to do, ask to see the officers’ badges, ask why they came and who made the call,” Ms. McKnight said. It turned out the phone had a connection problem. “The officers told me ‘You did the right thing,’ and I really appreciate the way they took care of the situation.”

Program graduates will continue to support the Police Department at community events like summer concerts, National Night Out, and Police Week, by manning information booths and stands and giving out information about police programs to other residents.

Residents interested in additional senior programs should contact the Mayor’s Office of Aging located at 94 William Street, at (973) 733-4392. For any other questions or requests for service, contact the Non-Emergency Call Center at (973) 733-4311.