West New York Police Officer Elvis Alvarez, 49, will be running for commissioner on former Mayor Felix Roque’s slate, their campaign announced this morning.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“My mission and priority as the upcoming commissioner/mayor is to work ‘hand in hand’ with West New York’s finest, our brave women and men in blue, the West New York Police Department,” Roque, who served two terms as mayor between 2011 and 2019, said in a statement.
“With the guidance and expertise of the former and present police officers, Tommy Mannion and Elvis Alvarez, we will provide a safe environment at our schools so that our youth can thrive in their education with a safe academic setting. Our seniors will be able to live without the apprehension and fear of going out for an evening walk and getting mugged and raped.”
Alvarez, who is from a family of Cuban exiles who settled in West New York back in 1963, is a 25-year veteran of the department who was promoted to the rank of juvenile detective in 2018.
Also a co-founder of the West New York Girls Softball League, Alvarez coached basketball, football, and baseball, along with sponsoring teams for the local Babe Ruth league.
Additionally, he told HCV that he plans on retiring from the police force in the coming months.
Given Roque’s remarks to drive down crime and prioritize public safety at his campaign kickoff last week, it should come as no shock that he has selected a local police officer to join his team.
Mannion, who was announced as a running mate last week, is already retired from the force and is a former Policemen’s Benevolent Association president. Carmen Baez, a real estate professional, was also unveiled as a commissioner candidate last Thursday.
Roque has one more running mate to reveal ahead of the May 9th non-partisan municipal elections, with two other full slates announced.
Public Affairs Commissioner Cosmo Cirillo is running alongside Assemblywoman Angelica Jimenez (D-32), Revenue and Finance Commissioner Margarita Guzman, local coach Hiram Gonzalez, and Walter Lopez, the husband of former Commissioner Michelle Lopez.
Furthermore, Albio Sires, a former mayor, state Assembly speaker, and congressman, revealed his full slate on Tuesday.
His slate includes Parks and Public Property Commissioner Victor Barrera, Board of Education President Adam Parkinson, BOE Trustee Marielka Diaz, and recent Republican congressional candidate Marcos Arroyo.
