Ironbound District Honors First Block Task Force

The Ironbound Business Improvement District (IBID) presented commemorative plaques to recognize the contributions of First Block Task Force members, including local business and commercial property owners, residents, and representatives of the Newark Police Department, who have been working cooperatively to address concerns about crime and public safety in the area around Newark Penn Station and Peter Francisco Park, gateway to the Ironbound.

The honorees included community members Maria T. Paliares, Rajesh Bhagat, Matthew Villani, Vincent Oyala, Farid Jordy, Manuel Rebelo and Omar Suarez, along with Newark Police Officers John Alves, Jim McCoy, Michael Costeira and Stephen Grosso and Community Liaison Detective Michelle Ann Cote. Newark Police Director Eugene Venable congratulated the officers for their contributions to the City’s community policing efforts at the awards presentation.

“Outstanding cooperation has been the hallmark of this effort, and everyone involved, from business and property owners, to the City of Newark, Newark Police Department and NJ Transit Police, have helped make a difference through their contributions of time and resources,” noted Seth A. Grossman, the IBID’s Executive Director.

“While challenges remain, the First Block Task Force has had a positive impact in the Ironbound District over the past several months, and this recognition is well-deserved,” added IBID President Steven T. Yglesias.

In 2014, the IBID organized the First Block Task Force in response to increased crime and quality of life deterioration in the Ferry Street area near Newark Penn Station, including Peter Francisco Park. The Task Force serves as an Advisory Committee that brings people together to work on solutions that benefit everyone who lives, works and invests in the district, as well as the thousands of visitors who come to the Ironbound for its great restaurants, shopping and entertainment. The IBID is also seeking further improvements and management of Peter Francisco Park, and supports plans to build connections from the park to the downtown area.

“It was very encouraging to have the IBID behind this effort because the organization’s professional staff and volunteer board members were experienced at mobilizing local stakeholders and knew how to address the issues and connect the people and resources needed to make a difference,” said Dr. Omar Suarez, DMD, a longtime business and property owner on Ferry Street.

Working with representatives of the Ironbound’s Third Precinct, a 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. police patrol was added to Ferry Street as a mandatory post, along with mounted police patrols. A police task force consisting of ten Metro Police officers that previously served only the downtown side of Penn Station and Rt. 21 was also extended to cover the Ironbound area of concern identified by the First Block group.

Additionally, Chief of Police Anthony Campos directed the Newark Police Department to install a police command station including an “eye-in the-sky” surveillance unit at the eastern tip of Peter Francisco Park to help monitor and direct increased enforcement efforts. A similar unit was installed by NJ Transit Police facing Raymond Plaza East and Penn Station. Two police officers have also been stationed in the area, greeting and speaking with pedestrians as they move through the Park.

For more information about programs and services provided by the Ironbound Business Improvement District, visit goironbound.com. You can also follow news from the Ironbound District through social media at Facebook.com/goironbound.