In a letter to the editor, Jersey City Councilman-at-Large Danny Rivera says that Public Safety Director James Shea is responsible for the city’s recent fire safety issues.
Dear Editor,
I’m relieved to see the proposed relocation of the firehouse to Communipaw Avenue in Ward A—it’s a critical step toward improving fire safety for our residents. However, I must express my frustration with how this issue has been handled up until now.
For months, I have requested meetings to address fire safety concerns, but those requests were ignored. Why did we have to wait for another fire to escalate to a second alarm before finally taking action?
The damage caused could have been significantly lessened if temporary solutions or permanent fixes had been implemented sooner. This delay is unacceptable and demonstrates a troubling lack of urgency.
Director James Shea bears responsibility here. His failure to engage with the City Council and prioritize these discussions left critical issues unresolved, putting our residents and their property at risk.
When we as Council members reach out to address safety concerns, it is not optional for department directors to respond—it is their duty. By disregarding these requests, the Director has not only failed the Council but also the residents we are sworn to represent.
This situation also underscores a broader issue: the administration must ensure that all department directors understand they are accountable to the residents of Jersey City.
As elected officials, it is our sworn responsibility to seek answers and demand action when our constituents’ safety is at stake. The continued lack of communication and inaction shows a level of disregard for this process that is simply unacceptable.
Moving forward, the Council will demand answers from Director Shea and ensure accountability for the delays and missteps that have occurred.
We will also push the administration to take proactive steps to ensure that this kind of negligence does not happen again.
Our residents deserve transparency, urgency, and a city government that prioritizes their safety above all else.
Danny Rivera
Jersey City Councilman-at-Large