In a letter to the editor, Hoboken Councilwoman-at-Large Emily Jabbour explains how she is committed to funding public safety after attacks in Church Square Park last week.
Dear Editor,
One of my favorite days of the year in Hoboken is Halloween. The best of our community is on display – from the annual Ragamuffin Parade, to the incredible decorations, to the joy felt by families while trick-or-treating.
Like many of you, however, I was heavy with emotions from the news of two violent assaults earlier in the day.
My thoughts are with the victims, and I’m grateful for the quick work of community members and the Hoboken Police Department to have apprehended both attackers.
I believe in directly engaging with constituents, whether at pick up and drop off at school, at the local coffee shop, or on social media – connecting with people is not just my job, it is my purpose as a public servant.
When I heard about these incidents, I knew we needed a transparent and open community dialogue about public safety and actions we can take as a community.
I immediately reached out to Public Safety Director Ken Ferrante and Chief Steve Aguiar to organize a public meeting for residents to speak directly with the Hoboken Police Department and Mayor Bhalla about their concerns.
Please consider joining this community meeting on Wednesday, November 6 at 5:30pm at City Hall (94 Washington, enter via Newark Street).
I am proud to support a strong public safety department as a Hoboken parent, social worker, and dedicated public servant.
I have spent this past weekend listening to other parents and concerned residents about what they are seeing in our community, and how they feel these concerns should be addressed.
As the City Council enters the 2025 session and will be developing our budget proposal, I am requesting funding for the following investments in public safety:
• Funding for an updated surveillance camera system for Church Square Park;
• Installation of the emergency blue light phone system in all City Parks and along the Waterfront, similar to the version that Hudson County installed in Columbus Park; and
• Additional funding for Park Patrols – a combination of both police officers and code enforcement officers who have the ability to monitor quality of life issues like smoking in our parks, as well as more serious concerns about safety.
Finally, I am aware that the Administration is actively in the process of contract negotiations with both Police Unions.
I strongly recommend that the Administration work with Police Union Leadership to advance a proposal that includes signing bonuses for the recruitment of new officers.
The City of Hoboken needs to be as competitive as possible to ensure that we can fully staff our Police Department, while continuing to serve as a model nationwide for community policing.
I wish to reaffirm my support for the Hoboken Police Department and the great work that they do every day in this community. I look forward to the discussion that will take place this Wednesday, November 6 at 5:30pm at City Hall.
If you have any questions or concerns, or if I can be of assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact me at HobokenEmily@gmail.com.
Emily Jabbour
Hoboken councilwoman-at-large
Prove it! Condemn Soros and the “Defund the Police” Democrats!
You always put the Party and Ravi above the people.
Emily, you have some nerve. As a mother of three young children, I almost fell for your “getting things done,” mantra, but in reality, you’re a Bhalla clone who supported defunding our police, open borders, and making Hoboken a sanctuary city – not only for your books which you used to game Google search results like a “Borris Bus” strategy. You’re a fraud and should be forced to live with your consequences, not campaign on them!
SHAME!
From the candidate that just got sidelined by her boss Ravi
She should just stop her headline at the second word, “I’m committed.” We all know she’s seriously mentally ill, bad for Hoboken, and needs to be institutionalized. Do not vote for this thing for mayor.
Add Emily to the growing list of urban politicians who have gotten “mugged by reality.” While I do give her credit for shifting her position here – one can’t help but ask; “what were you thinking…..?” More migrants than we could have imagined, a growing homeless population and hamstrung public safety officials – quality of lfe HAD to suffer. Again, we wait for a crisis – and belatedly respond.
Just stop Emily. You will never be mayor so please just focus on your federal government day job.