North Bergen will be opening a new, downtown, community policing mini-precinct to improve public safety and reduce response times. The mini station, which will be located in the new, recreation center & library at 1231 Kennedy Boulevard, will serve as a substation for the main police department and will be staffed with officers around the clock.
Last Friday, Mayor Nicholas Sacco, Public Safety Commissioner Allen Pascual, and Police Chief Peter Fasilis observed as construction began on North Bergen’s new state-of-the-art Downtown Community Policing Mini-precinct. The purpose of the tour was to provide Mayor Sacco with a firsthand understanding of the location and to envision the potential impact this new facility will have on the community. Also in attendance were Commissioners Hugo Cabrera and Julio Marenco, as well as newly appointed County Commissioner Robert Baselice.
“The development of this new mini-precinct underscores our commitment to creating a safe and secure environment for all our residents,” said Mayor Sacco. “We want the community to know that this center will be a place where residents will be able to interact with officers in a casual environment, allowing us to improve police visibility while giving our officers the chance to develop relationships with residents. We continue to strive to improve response times, enhance collaboration between our police force and the community, and ultimately build stronger neighborhoods.”
In addition to providing a physical presence in the community, the mini precinct will also offer a range of services to residents, including the ability to file police reports, obtain information about community programs, and ask for assistance in non-emergency situations. The mini station will also allow officers to respond more quickly to emergency calls in the area, reducing response times and improving public safety.
In addition to its operational functions, the substation will serve as a community resource center, offering educational programs, community meetings, and workshops to foster constructive dialogue and strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and the community.
Initially, the mini precinct will be staffed part time, but that will increase based upon demand and availability. The officers will work in close collaboration with the main police department and will have access to the same resources and training as their counterparts.
“This marks a significant milestone in the township’s ongoing commitment to public safety and community policing. Officers will provide residents with basic police services such as crime reporting, access to records and reports, family intervention and referral services, and support for victims of domestic violence, while also enabling us to increase coverage of video surveillance in the downtown area. A special thanks to Commissioner Hugo Cabrera for allowing the police department to repurpose space within the recreation center to bring this project to fruition,” added Commissioner Pascual.
The North Bergen mini police precinct is a welcome addition to the community, and is expected to have a positive impact on public safety. With its around-the-clock staffing and range of services, the mini station is sure to become an important resource for residents and law enforcement alike.