Jersey City Anti-Violence Coalition Executive Director Pamela Johnson wrote a letter to U.S. Senators Cory Booker and Bob Menendez (both D-NJ) in support of naming Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez the next U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“I have had the unique opportunity to work closely with Prosecutor Suarez over the last several years. Not only has she demonstrated her commitment to the people
of Hudson County, but she has developed a relationship built on trust and respect with community leaders,” Johnson wrote yesterday.
“She has an open-door policy and is always available to discuss issues affecting our neighborhoods, which is something I can say that I sincerely appreciate. Through this relationship and an increased dialogue, there has been noticeable improvement on
issues of violent crime, although there is always more work we need to do.”
Johnson further stated that Suarez, appointed the county prosecutor in 2015, has developed meaningful programs and has conducted “a fair and transparent investigation” whenever use-of-force by Jersey City police required review.
In particular, she notes that Suarez and her staff invited community leaders to review police body camera footage prior to rendering a decision.
She appears to be referencing a May 5th brawl on Bostwick Avenue, where the HCPO ultimately declined to press charges against the officers involved.
“I believe that Prosecutor Suarez has the best interest of all the diverse constituencies throughout our state at heart and believes and demands a fair and unbiased application of the law. I enthusiastically support her appointment as U.S. Attorney,” Johnson concluded.
Late last month, Suarez received endorsements from the Hudson County Chiefs of Police Association and the Latino American Democratic Association of New Jersey.
