The Hoboken Police Department hosted an emotionally charged public safety meeting at a housing authority building (221 Jackson St.) last night as residents are still reeling from the April 28th murder of 21-year-old Damon “Nunu” Murray.
By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View
“We have had such a difficult week, such a difficult 10 days. The housing authority has been grieving. We have been talking about what we should have done,” HHA Executive Director Marc Recko said about Murray’s killing, where Albert Morales has been charged.
Recko continued that they are working with the city, specifically the police department, to cut down on violent crime and especially shootings at the HHA.
“If we don’t do it together, it won’t get done. We don’t want to be here again. Tonight is to make sure you are heard,” 3rd Ward Councilman Mike Russo, who is also a commissioner on the HHA board, said.
“It’s time for us to unite together to make sure … those changes are in perpetuity! That you have the same opportunity everyone else in this city has.”
Police Chief Steven Aguiar was one of several ranking officers in attendance to address resident’s concerns.
“We in the police department care as well. We have already been working with the housing authority and city officials to get that accomplished,” Hoboken Chief of Police Steven Aguiar said.
“We need to know what you know. Our number one goal is your safety.”
4th Ward Councilman Ruben Ramos, who represents the housing authority, and 1st Ward Councilman Paul Presinzano were also in attendance.
“I live, breathe you guys. We’re going to keep on advocating … to make sure any positive change you guys are a part of,” Ramos stated.
“There’s a lot of things happening behind the scenes right now. This sad event is getting wheels in motion,” Presinzano added.
Recko chimed in that he appreciated the PD enforcing the rules, but youth programs, and a recreation center to host them, are also necessities.
“We need a curfew!” one man yelled with others agreeing.
“Please hold your council people accountable. If we don’t come with love, we are lost,” Recko said.
“We should speak first!” Samantha Gonzalez said to applause. “We’re tired of hearing the same thing over and over again.”
“You’re mean cops to our kids in the streets. People are scared in the streets.”
“We have to be respectful of one another,” HHA Chair Barbara Reyes exclaimed as the mood became tense.
“If he was a white boy … the New York Times would be here! We need a new housing director! You’re not doing the job!” Kathy Feeney said to great applause.
Catherine Stewart stated there have been many unfulfilled promises in the past.
“They haven’t done nothing! We need to you to be in the community when it’s not a fight,” Stewart declared.
“You guys sit inside the car. You need to get out to check in the buildings. There’s homeless people I walk over.”
Bishop Roland Spence said Murray is his wife’s cousin so the loss is a personal one, as well as that a lot of adult residents are committing crimes and not facing consequences.
“Go tell the people selling drugs to move … When there’s a crowd with music congregating, you come faster than speed,” Gonzalez said.
“The YMCA was free. Everything available to us, the minority, are gone. That kid could have been my own kid!” Krishnette Echevarria exclaimed.
“Disrupting the peace used to give you a summons. Trespassing used to give you a summons. They got no other choice but to turn to the streets! You failed us! We failed him!” she said to applause, also calling for a curfew and entrance security.
She called for a curfew and entrance security.
“You are a strong queen,” Patricia Waiters said to Damon Murray’s mother, Carolyn Murray.
The room burst into applause as Murray became emotional and Waiters hugged her.
“Respectfully step down,” Waiters said to Recko.
“These children need resources,” Gonzalez chimed in.
She called for vocational education and jobs for teens and young adults, especially during the summer.
“Ain’t no pool! They’re frustrated!” Gonzalez exclaimed.
Reyes also expressed frustration that Mayor Ravi Bhalla did not attend.
“Where’s our mayor today? We invited him! These kids are in pain!”
She also called for having more opportunities for the city’s youth.
“We need to bring our youth to the table. Let them tell us what they want. Just like Nunu was a role model for our kids, these guys are role models. We don’t have a youth center,” she noted.
“Society today is quick to pull out their phones and record a fight. There was sixth graders who made videos of the whole thing. Everybody here knows if I walk in on a scene I will call. Had there been cops standing there Nunu would be here today!”
“They’re afraid to open up!” Gonzalez added.
“I came here to listen. We can do better. We need help,” Aguiar said, specifically asking for help dispersing large crowds that can become violent.
“ … There’s drugs being sold. We need to get ahead of that. We have training. We try to de-escalate situations. I care about this community! We love you. I extend my deepest condolences to the Murray family,” he added.
Aguiar said they discussed launching a mobile command center, but that takes time and it would have to serve the entire city. Russo, Ramos, and 2nd Ward Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher called for the return of a police precinct at the HHA shortly after Murray’s murder.
“We have 10 to 20 seconds so we can let our kids in (via the electronic door). That’s something we can immediately fix,” Gonzalez said.
Division of Housing Director Vanessa Falco, a former councilwoman-at-large, said they’re working with Ramos for obtaining funding for building upgrades..
“That’s something we can accomplish very soon,” she said, also suggesting a tenant board to applause.
“It’s gonna get worse! They want to it tear it down for gentrification! They could care less!” Stewart exclaimed.
Standard rhetoric on both sides, one side calling for more taxpayer paid programs that those who actually are the cause of the trouble would probably not go to and the other who want to cover up their lack of effectiveness turning a blind eye to obvious ongoing criminality to keep the HHA a safe place. Sadly those all too familiar loud individuals who always feel the need to promote themselves and continue to play the race card are not part of the solution but part of the problem
Add the upcoming political maneuvering of the potential mayoral candidates (Russo, Ramos) also add to difficulty to actually address the root of the problems.
Michael Russo put himself on to the HHA Board. What has he done since? Other than bullying HHA residents for votes. We should expect more not less of that in his upcoming mayoral run?
In my building 321 Harrison Hoboken the intercom doesn’t work 2 weeks ago we have big roaches and people firing at the hallway people smoke Marijuana we don’t have camaras in any floor we needed
I live at Fox Hills Garden. I filed complaints since last year. Adults here, act as if “tranquility and peace,” can be disturbed. Hoboken Swat Team was here in Nov. Living in chaos, if what they want. It has to stop. I rented office space at Neumann Leathers Warehouse, drugs. I don’t have much to say about Hoboken for a woman who’s trying to get back into a career and deal with it all. Shame, on Hoboken.
How can you know they won’t use programs we’ve never had? There’s nothing for teens to do in summer. Let’s bring all parts of town 2gether. Emily keeps saying she will ask. Someone is paid to be a recreation director already. Figure it out, Emily. Let’s have the programs you keep researching about.
Truth is what you are really saying let’s get other people to pay for more stuff for your kids.
Not surprising that Mayor Bhalla was nowhere to be found when the City needed him most. Let’s remember this on election day.
The town is a mess with many issues. Many UNECESSARY ordinances. Too many restrictions on civil liberties. Housing construction not putting in necessary affordable, low, low low income included into all properties. Abusive police officers, it’s insane. The residents are utterly selfish also.
Town should be sued to the point that is goes broke.