Mayor Fulop Appoints NYPD Deputy Chief James Shea as Public Safety Director  Concludes National Search Headed by Former NYPD/FDNY Commissioner Howard Safir
JERSEY CITY – Mayor Steven M. Fulop today announced the appointment of NYPD Deputy Chief James Shea as the new Public Safety Director for Jersey City overseeing the Police and Fire Departments following an extensive national search.
James Shea Jersey City’s Public Safety Director Photo by Steve Mack
Shea, who will reside in Jersey City, has most recently served as Deputy Chief of the NYPD responsible for the Youth and Gang Crime Division, focusing on the expansion and enhancement of the division and targeting a reduction in gang violence. Other recent assignments have included commanding some of the toughest areas,working on issues such as robberies, street crime and terrorism.
“Jersey City has been dealing with serious public safety issues for some time, which my administration is committed to addressing immediately,†said Mayor Fulop. “James has both the experience, knowledge, and management skills to implement real change as it relates to public safety and I am confident he will lead Jersey City on the right path toward reducing crime and making our city one of the safest mid-size cities in
America.†Continue reading Jersey City Gets New Public Safety Director James Shea→
Luxury Building Marks First Development Adjacent to Newport Green Park; Already 40% Leased
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Jersey City, NJ (July 15, 2013) – Laguna, the newest high-end residential property in the Newport neighborhood of Jersey City, is now available for renting. Already 40 percent leased, the 19-story Hudson River-waterfront building features 158 one, two and three-bedroom residences, ranging in size from 759 square feet to 2,015 square feet. The Laguna marks the first of the master-planned community’s final phase of development, which will surround the neighborhood’s award-winning 4.25-acre park, Newport Green.
“We broke the mold with the Laguna to create a product unique to existing offerings in Newport,†said Jamie LeFrak, principal at LeFrak. “We engaged a nationally-known design firm to add upscale finishes to every home and luxurious building amenities like a screening room and rooftop lounge. Paired with Laguna’s location next to the park, the building represents the 27-year evolution of our vision to transform the Jersey City waterfront into a thriving neighborhood with open green spaces and sidewalks full of residents and visitors.†Continue reading Leasing Open at Laguna, Newport, Jersey City’s Newest Waterfront Property→
JERSEY CITY – As part of the efforts to curb drunk driving, underage drinking, and aggressive driving, law enforcement in Jersey City are dedicated to prevent and deter future fatalities on our city streets. This weekend, the Jersey City Police Department will be conducting a DWI checkpoint to protect those who live and commute in Jersey City. Allocations are provided through the Drunk Driving Enforcement Fund.
Law enforcement officials will be evaluating drivers for signs of alcohol or drug impairment at certain points in roadways. Police officers will be targeting impaired driving by observing moving violations such as no seatbelt, reckless driving, speeding, aggressive driving, and cell phone use.
The New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety has funded the Department through grant funds to select July as the designated month for specifically targeting speeding and aggressive driving.  Police officers will be using radar to detect motorists who are speeding and exhibiting other aggressive driving behaviors on city streets. Currently, there are approximately 50 police officers trained as radar operators in the Police Department. Continue reading Jersey City Police Department conducting DWI checkpoint to protect those who live and commute in Jersey City.→
JERSEY CITY – Mayor Steven M. Fulop today announced the appointment of Jim McGreevey to serve as the Executive Director of the Jersey City Employment & Training Commission.
The Commission is charged with the responsibility of overseeing workforce training in the city, linking training with job creation, and identifying job opportunities for the unemployed and underemployed. McGreevey will also be responsible for working with the business community, local colleges and universities, labor unions and non-profits to identify potential job opportunities and skilled training.
“Governor McGreevey has worked hands-on with the inmate population and with re-entry programs and will be a valuable asset to us as we develop a re-entry program for Jersey City,â€said Mayor Fulop.  “We are fortunate to have such a distinguished and knowledgeable individual to lead what is one of the most critical positions – that of job creation and workforce development. I look forward to working with Governor McGreevey on providing more job opportunities for all of our residents.†Continue reading Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop Appoints Jim McGreevey to Serve as the Executive Director of the Jersey City Employment and Training Commission→
Pursues Another Termination of Employment for Latest Infraction & Will Install GPS Systems in City Vehicles
JERSEY CITY – With only ten days into office, Mayor Steven M. Fulop is quickly learning and aggressively pushing to change the culture of City Hall employees with termination charges for any employee violating policy and breaking the law.
Last week, Jersey City Police Detective William Kallert was charged with DWI and was immediately suspended without pay after he was found intoxicated in an unmarked police vehicle he was not authorized to use after hours. This was followed by yesterday’s incident in which a DPW manager was arrested on charges of soliciting a prostitute while in a city vehicle he was also not authorized to use after work hours.
The employee, George Reyes, is facing termination as a result of the arrest.
“This is the second time in just one week that a city employee has committed a crime while using a city vehicle without authorization, which speaks to the pervasive culture of abuse that has been allowed to exist in Jersey City,†said Mayor Fulop. “This is unacceptable and we are going to root out this type of behavior and put an end to it. We will not tolerate this.â€Â Continue reading 10 Days into Office Mayor Fulop Sees Culture in City Hall & Vows to Change via No Tolerance Policy→
Most Comprehensive Review Conducted During a Transition in Jersey City;
Roadmap Outlined for Moving City Forward
JERSEY CITY – Mayor Steven M. Fulop today released the 155-page report issued by the Transition Team that details the current state of Jersey’s City’s municipal government, identifies the significant issues, and lays a roadmap for correcting many of the longstanding problems.
A link to the complete transition report can be found at:
“The transition team spent four weeks collecting and reviewing information, as well as best practices and models for municipalities, to determine what are the issues facing Jersey City and what can guide us as we develop long-overdue solutions,†said Mayor Fulop.  “I hope the public takes an opportunity to review these findings as much time and effort was invested and we view this as a positive process toward moving Jersey City forward.†Continue reading Jersey City’s Mayor Fulop Releases 155 -Page Transition Report→
Jersey City, NJ — On Sunday, July 21st, 2013, the Riverview Farmers Market will take part in the first statewide Perfect Peach Pie Contest, sponsored by the New Jersey Peach Promotion Council.
Only 6 farmers markets in New Jersey will be contest venues: 2 in south Jersey, 2 in central Jersey, and 2 in north Jersey. One winner will be selected at each of the 6 farmers markets. After a final judging, two grand-prize winners (one from south/central Jersey, one from north/west Jersey) will be awarded a choice of overnight stay with dinner for two in either Atlantic City or Cape May. Continue reading Jersey City’s Riverview Farmers Market Hosts “Perfect Peach Pie Contestâ€→
      Mayor Mark A. Smith announced that produce market vouchers are available for low-income seniors through the Bayonne Office On Aging.  The vouchers would enable qualified seniors to purchase New Jersey-grown fresh fruit and vegetables at the Bayonne farmers’ market and other approved locations.  Participating farmers at the Bayonne farmers’ market sell New Jersey produce that is eligible for the voucher program.  The Bayonne farmers’ market takes place on Tuesdays from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at West 23rd Street and Del Monte Drive, which is located between Broadway and Avenue C.  The Office On Aging will indicate the locations of other approved farmers’ markets to the voucher recipients. Continue reading Produce Vouchers Available for Low-Income Seniors,Can Use at Bayonne Farmers’ Market→
      Mayor Mark A. Smith announced that Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish Center will be the Bayonne location for a New Jersey gun buyback program on Friday, July 12, and Saturday, July 13, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on both days. The parish center is located at 39 East 22nd Street in Bayonne. The Mt. Carmel Parish Center is set back from the street, and has a parking lot for visitors. The gun buyback program will also take place at five other church locations in Hudson and Union Counties on those same two days. Residents can turn in up to three guns anonymously, with no questions asked. In return they will receive up to $250 per weapon.Â
         The event is co-sponsored by the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, the Hudson and Union County Prosecutors’ Offices, and the Bayonne, Elizabeth, Jersey City, Linden, Plainfield, and Union City Police Departments.Â
         The gun buyback program began last December, and has taken place in several locations across New Jersey. Since December, there have been gun buyback events in New Jersey in Atlantic, Camden, Cumberland, Essex, Mercer, Monmouth, and Passaic Counties. They have resulted in the collection of more than 12,500 deadly firearms statewide. The program’s goal is to reduce the number of weapons in circulation. New Jersey’s Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman said, “A gun that is no longer in circulation – a gun that no longer exists – cannot be used to commit a crime, to shoot someone in the heat of an argument, or go off accidentally in the hands of a curious child.† Mayor Smith said, “Gun violence is a serious problem in America. The gun buyback program is an important step forward in improving public safety in New Jersey. The City of Bayonne welcomes the opportunity to participate in this statewide effort.â€Â Public Safety Director Jason O’Donnell said, “I would like to thank the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Bayonne Police Department for working together closely to plan the gun buyback event in Bayonne. We look forward to continuing more such efforts in the future.â€Â Police Chief Ralph Scianni said, “The Bayonne Police Department and all of the law enforcement agencies involved have developed the gun buyback program in cooperation with local churches. I would like to thank Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church for providing its parish center as the Bayonne location for this important program. The members of the religious community are vital partners in the effort to reduce crime and violence.â€Â   Continue reading Bayonne: Gun Buyback Program Set for Bayonne, Other Locations on July 12-13→
Outdated Programs to be Phased Out; High-Performing Programs to Receive Additional Resources & Redeployed Staff
JERSEY CITY – Mayor Steven M. Fulop today announced that his administration has started a desk audit of all civilian management and supervisory employees. A desk audit hasn’t been conducted in Jersey City in nearly ten years.
The purpose of the desk audit – which will be conducted division by division, department by department – is to evaluate employee functions and accomplishments over the last year, as well as program performance and the need for redeployment of staff to better serve the residents.  Additionally, the audit serves to eliminate any duplication of services.
“The taxpayers deserve to have every dollar they pay to the city work for them and redundant services eliminated,†said Mayor Fulop.  “We want to make every employee and every office accountable and working to its fullest potential for the residents and business owners.  To do that, we need to understand the human resources we have in place and maximize staff utilization.â€
Mayor Fulop expects to complete the internal review over the next several weeks and begin restructuring programs and departments based on the findings.
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