5 Good Deeds Newark Cops Have Recently Done For The Community

NEWARK, NJ — As any police officer in Newark knows, being a good cop takes a lot more than chasing down criminals.

In the past month, Newark police officers have been taking part in a variety of community outreach activities, including food giveaways, pet food and clothing drives, Black History Month events and English as a second language lessons.

Catch up with a few of them below.

FOOD GIVEAWAYS

Two local community service officers recently pitched in at a city-held food distribution event, delivering boxes of food to residents in the North Ward earlier this month.

Meanwhile, two officers in the 4th Precinct joined staff at John F. Kennedy School staff for a community food drive on Feb. 9, handing out vegetables, poultry and personal hygiene products to attendees.

It isn’t only the humans of Newark that are getting a boost from their local police department, either.

Lieutenant J. Gonzalez of the 3rd Precinct recently helped to spearhead a donation of dog and cat food – along with treats – to the Liberty Humane Society and the Associated Humane Societies’ Newark facility.

BLACK HISTORY

Police in the 5th Precinct also recently put together a “Movie-With-A-Cop” outing in celebration of Black History Month. The event was held on Presidents Day at the precinct’s community room on Clinton Avenue.

Another tribute to Black History Month took place this week when police officers in the 4th Precinct invited students from Bard High School Early College to see “Bob Marley: One Love.”

PEACE MARCHES

Newark Police Clergy/Community Affairs Detective R. Moore recently led a "March for Peace" with students at 17th Street School alongside school social worker, Ms. Woods-Turner. The United Community Corporation also participated in the march.

Meanwhile, 6th Precinct School Resource Officer Merritt, alongside Community Service Officers Droz and Grace, led Mt. Vernon School students on an "Anti-Violence March" around their school’s neighborhood. The march was followed by an assembly program of Newark police officers promoting "peace" in the community.

GREAT TRAINING

Earlier this month, 7th Precinct police officer L. Zapata partnered with a representative from the ATF to give a Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT) presentation to a class of fourth-graders at McKinley Elementary School.

Zapata, who is bilingual, helped the students with some English as a second language lessons.

DINNER DANCE

Police officers in the 4th Precinct recently hosted their second annual "Senior Valentine’s Day Dinner Dance" for older adults in the neighborhood.

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