The Hoboken City Council unanimously approved (9-0) a $1,111,000 bond on second reading at last week’s meeting, allowing the Public Safety Department to acquire a Police Mobile Command Center.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
The local legislation was sponsored by 4th Ward Councilman Ruben Ramos and 1st Ward Councilman Paul Presinzano at Wednesday’s meeting. Ramos briefly made mention of the allocation during their budget hearing, as HCV first reported.
Ramos, 2nd Ward Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher, and 3rd Ward Councilman Mike Russo had called for the Hoboken Housing Authority police precinct to return in wake of the murder of 21-year-old Damon Murray on Marshall Drive.
“The Police Mobile Command Center will be yet another tool our police officers can wield to best protect and serve our community,” Mayor Ravi Bhalla said in a statement.
“With its cutting-edge technology and mobile capabilities, this vehicle is not just an investment in the police department, it is an investment in our entire community and its safety.”
When not in use at an event or emergency, the vehicle will, at times, be positioned at high priority locations throughout the City including the Hoboken Housing Authority, the waterfront area, and Hoboken Terminal.
“Bringing this type of unit to Hoboken will help modernize our police response by bringing critical technology for police command directly to a scene or emergency,” added Public Safety Director Ferrante.
“It will help ensure rapid responses, provide even better security, maintain reliable and constant communication at emergency situations, ensure proper preparedness, and meet the increasing demands of public safety in Hoboken.”
Once purchased, outfitted, and delivered, the Hoboken PMCC will be deployed for a variety of planned events and emergency operations, including large celebrations, street fairs and festivals, public safety incidents, and severe weather, among other things.
“The mobile command center will allow us to bring essential resources wherever – and whenever – they are needed throughout the City,” noted Police Chief Steven Aguiar.
“I look forward to putting the PMCC into service, to better empower our officers to even better protect and serve our residents.”
Aguiar noted that the mobile command center may return at a tense meeting between ranking members of the police department, including himself, and resident of the HHA in May.
Representatives from the Public Safety Department will engage a qualified vendor to acquire a vehicle with an appropriate layout, and have it outfitted with the necessary specifications, including emergency lighting, cameras, communications equipment, and other technology to maximize use.
Hoboken Police Mobile Command Center is anticipated to go into service by the summer of 2025, officials said.
