Mayor Eric E. Jackson and Police Director Ernest Parrey, Jr. Develop Strategy to Reduce Violence
New collaboration efforts contribute to progressive strategy impacting crime
Trenton, N.J. — Recognizing the need to address the uptick in violence earlier this year, Trenton Mayor Eric Jackson worked closely with the Police Director Ernest Parrey to introduce additional measures to curtail violent crimes. The steps the city has taken have shown a measurable impact on violence in the city, including an increase in arrests for firearms.
“We are aggressively working to combat crime in our city,” said Mayor Eric Jackson. “Thanks to the joint effort of many stakeholders in law enforcement and education we have experienced measurable progress. However to maintain progress we need to work together, especially with our families, in this effort to establish a sustainable reduction in crime.”
The specific steps the city has taken over the summer include:
Collaborating
* The Trenton Police Department continues to partner with the New Jersey State Police, Mercer County Sheriff's Office, and numerous municipal, state, and federal agencies to conduct high visibility sweeps, known as ‘Surge Details.’ Throughout the recent weeks, the department focused on ‘hot beds,’ or areas known to have a high rate of violence. An additional component focuses on executing arrest warrants for people wanted for violent offenses and narcotics.
* The Trenton Police Department participated in the Major Cities Gun Buyback Program. In July, 1735 guns were surrendered to the city, including 570 handguns and 16 that were classified as assault weapons.
Targeting
* In August, the Trenton Police Department created a Violence Interdiction Team focused on known violent individuals in the city. Detectives from the Violent Crimes Unit, Street Crimes Unit, and Shooting Response Team play a critical role within the team in identifying and apprehending violent criminal offenders.
Educating
* The Trenton Police Department is working with the Trenton Board of Education leadership to develop conflict resolution workshops for students within the district. Officers and educators will be partnering to offer one-on-one and general assembly workshops on alternative means for conflict resolution.
Patrolling
* The Trenton Police Department, in collaboration with the Board of Education leadership, has developed a Safe Passage Plan to be rolled out for the first day of school. Police supervisors, detectives and officers will be assigned to specific areas to ensure our children safe passage to and from school based upon the new start and dismissal times introduced by the Board of Education.
As a direct result of the safety measures taken, we have realized a reduction in shootings which are down 17 percent when compared to the same time last year. We have also recovered 125 weapons; seized during execution of arrests and search warrants, in addition to the 1735 guns turned in to the Buy Back program, and in the last 30 days, 18 weapons have been recovered resulting in 15 arrests.
“These measures are just one part of a larger plan,” said Mayor Eric Jackson. “We are committed to ensuring the safety of all residents in our city by continuing to work with our community partners, including families, to reduce violence and increase safety.
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Please direct all media inquiries to:
Michael A. Walker
Public Information Officer and Aide to the Mayor
City of Trenton
Office of the Mayor
City Hall
319 East State Street
Trenton, NJ 08608
Direct: 609-989-3033
Cell Phone: 609-789-7272
E-mail: mwalker@trentonnj.org
