High-Visibility Patrols Also Targeted Disorderly Groups and Holiday Shopping Areas

  JERSEY CITY – Mayor Steven M. Fulop announced today that the Jersey City Police Department arrested 17 individuals on a variety of charges, including various narcotics offenses, and issued nearly 150 motor vehicle summonses during a large-scale, joint law enforcement operation.

The operation, which was led by the JCPD, began at 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6th and went through the early morning hours on Saturday, Dec. 7th.  A total of 50 undercover officers from the JCPD, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office, and the federal Drug Enforcement Agency participated in the operation.

A key success of the operation was the execution of a search warrant at a home on Orient, which has been a source of community complaints as a known drug distribution site.  The home was heavily fortified, however, the JCPD Emergency Services Unit breached the front door.  As suspects with known prior weapons offenses were believed to be inside, a flash bang was deployed upon entry. Three individuals were arrested at this location.  Earlier in the day, police recovered two bricks of heroin which had been sold from the house.

“Our commanders have been working with the community to identify the problem locations and have been targeting these sites,” said Mayor Fulop. “The operation conducted Friday night led not only to a significant number of arrests, but also rendered important intelligence that will assist our officers in continuing to improve public safety for our residents.”

During the summer months, police arrested more than 200 individuals during sweeps of known problem areas.

“Even though the weather has changed, we are not relenting and will continue to apply pressure to those areas where crime has historically been a problem,” said Mayor Fulop.  “We want to thank all of the agencies who participated, and we want to especially recognize the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office for their continued allocation of resources and personnel.”

“A uniform operation was also conducted in addition to the undercover sweep,” said Mayor Fulop.  “Approximately 50 uniformed officers were deployed into targeted areas of the city – in the East, West and South Districts, to address disorderly groups.  Despite the rain, all of our officers maintained a high visibility in problem areas as well as focusing on shopping districts which are known targets during the holiday season.”

Police also deployed the OEM Command Vehicle for the night at the intersection of Van Horne and Halladay Streets. Several members of the Department’s most senior leadership, including the Chief of Police, one district commander, the Street Crime Unit Commander, the Special Operations Captain and two district executive officers, participated in the operation.

All media inquiries should be directed to Jennifer Morrill, Press Secretary to Mayor Steven M. Fulop at 201-547-4836 or 201-376-0699./////