'Safe Places' For LGBTQ+ And Others Designated By Hoboken Police, Prosecutors

HOBOKEN, NJ — A new "Safe Place Initiative" that was developed by the Seattle Police Department — meant to remind people of how to report hate crimes and give them places to feel safe — has been initiated in three locally owned Hoboken cafés.

Other businesses are being invited to join the free program by displaying a decal.

The Hoboken Police Department partnered with the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office starting June 5 for the initiative, "designed to make the county a safer place to live, work and visit."

Safe Place was originally initiated by the Seattle police to raise awareness of reporting crimes against the LGBTQ+ community. Today, Safe Place "is for all hate crimes including those that target an individual's race, color, sexual orientation, religion, gender expression or identity, mental, physical, or sensory disabilities, homelessness, marital status, political ideology or age," according to a release.

The decal signifies those locations will provide a safe space for someone to call 9-1-1, and wait for a response, if they feel unsafe or are the victim of any type of hate crime.

So far, three Hoboken small businesses are participating: The Hive on Park Avenue and 10th Street, Uncle Milton’s Café at 1119 Jefferson St. (near the newly reopened Northwest Park), and Bean Vault Coffee on Newark Street.

Others that want to participate can click here: https://hcpo.org/hudson-county-safe-place/.

"The Safe Place initiative sends a message that everyone is welcome in our community,” said Hoboken Public Safety Director Ken Ferrante. “We encourage all businesses, organizations, and houses of worship to participate in helping to make Hoboken even safer and more welcoming to all.”

“The Hoboken Police Department does not tolerate any type of bias or hate crime in our diverse and accepting City," said Hoboken Police Chief Steven Aguiar. "We are honored to be supporting the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office in this nationwide effort to even better assist and protect all residents and visitors.”

"Hoboken is already a safe city," said Police Officer Daniela Simone, who worked with D'Liz Polanco, the Hudson County Prosecutor's Community Outreach Coordinator, to bring the Safe Place program to Hoboken. "This program will provide a literal sign of that fact, for anyone who may be unsure of their surroundings.”

Social workers with the City's Office of Constituent Services are also supporting the Safe Place initiative. “Participation is voluntary, but we encourage all to consider placing a 'Safe Place' sticker in their windows," said Nora DeBenedetto, Head of Constituent Services. "The more ‘Safe Place’ decals we see in Hoboken, the more bridges we can build in our community to ensure ALL, especially those most vulnerable, are treated with dignity and respect."

"The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office is proud to facilitate the Safe Place initiative and serve as a bridge that connects law enforcement to their communities in a joint effort to address hate and bias crimes,” said Hudson County Prosecutor, Esther Suarez. “Hudson County is often celebrated for its diversity, and it is my hope this program will continue to define our community as a safe place for everyone, regardless of religion, race, or background."

Get more information here: https://hcpo.org/hudson-county-safe-place/.