Public Safety Updates: Ensuring A Safer Hoboken

Public safety remains at the forefront of everything I do.

 

Over the past couple of months, we’ve made important strides to address safety concerns across Hoboken, particularly in our parks, schools, and neighborhoods. Here’s what’s happening now:

SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS AT CHURCH SQUARE PARK

We’ve taken several steps to enhance safety in Church Square Park:
  • Approved new lighting upgrades to improve visibility and deter unsafe activity.
  • Upgraded the camera system to a cloud-based platform, which will provide better monitoring and is expected to be installed by year-end.
  • Chief Aguiar has increased foot patrols in the park to ensure a stronger police presence and improved safety.

ADDING MORE POLICE OFFICERS

  • The City Council voted unanimously to approve hiring 10 new police officers, who will come online in Spring 2026 to further strengthen our police force.
  • 6 new police officers were sworn in in December, bringing the department to full staffing levels for the first time in years. This is a significant achievement given that our department has been 15-20% understaffed for the past several years.

MEETING WITH SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES

Councilmembers Presinzano, Ramos, and I have met with school leaders and families to address safety concerns around Church Square Park. Working together, we’re identifying solutions to better protect students and surrounding neighborhoods including expanding the footprint of our School Resource Officer program.

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH PROGRAM

Paul Presinzano and I are working with neighbors to consider a Neighborhood Watch program (observe and report), stepping into the role previously led by Council President Jen Giattino. Neighborhood Watches empower residents to play an active role in supporting safer communities.

COMPREHENSIVE LIGHTING REVIEW ACROSS ALL PARKS

As referenced above, we approved a review of lighting for Church Square Park, but I have also heard from many residents about lighting concerns in other parks across the city. During our recent Climate Action and Innovation Committee meeting, Councilwoman Jabbour suggested adding Madison Park last minute to the Church Square Park lighting resolution. Instead of addressing lighting needs in an ad hoc manner, I proposed a more strategic and efficient approach: conducting a citywide review of lighting concerns across all Hoboken parks. Our committee, including CW Jabbour, CM Doyle, and CM Ramos, agreed that this broader effort will ensure we identify where improvements are most needed—such as Elysian Park and Madison Park—while ensuring no area is overlooked and safety concerns are prioritized based on need.

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