Mini Precinct Reopens in Newark's South Ward

Shuttered six years ago, officials celebrated Thursday the reopening of Newark's mini precinct, a tiny police substation that could have a big impact on crime in the South Ward.

"The mini precinct isn't just for arresting people, the mini precinct is for the police to begin to have a relationship with the neighbors of this block…" said Councilman Ras Baraka, who led a years-long effort to resurrect the precinct, once snarled in a financial battle between the city and the building's owner.

"It's important for police to have a positive presence in this neighborhood to prevent crime, not to just arrest people," the South Ward councilman added.

Last summer, the small Bergen Street storefront was cleaned out, scrubbed and given a fresh paint of coat by five South Ward youngsters, Baraka said. Though currently bare inside, except for a couple of filing cabinets, the precinct is expected to station at least two police officers as early as next week.

"You have police presence here, the other presence around here dissipates," said Baraka, of quashing nearby crime and gang activity.

He also hoped police would "integrate themselves in this community" to forge a relationship with residents, what he called a holistic approach to combatting violence.

While a couple dozen people – including Assemblywomen Grace Spencer (D-Essex) and Cleopatra Tucker (D-Essex), Council President Donald Payne Jr. and Councilwoman Mildred C. Crump – crowded the sidewalk for the grand reopening, some couldn't help but notice the absence of Mayor Cory Booker, Police Chief Sheilah Coley and Director Samuel DeMaio.

"As our chief executive officer, I'm not sure what kind of message it sends," said Crump, of Booker's absence. "I speak for myself, I just know that I am bitterly disappointed. The names are on the (precinct) door, but that doesn't mean anything. We need (their) presence."

City officials and the Newark Police Department did not respond to requests for comment.

Another grand reopening ceremony may be scheduled in the hopes that Booker, Coley, DeMaio and other members of the police department can attend, Baraka said.

"I know there are times when we have differences with the administration, but the safety of our citizens should overshadow any differences we ever have," said Baraka.

Community members took the revival of the mini precinct as a sign of a community comeback. Dolly Ryan Roberts, who owns Ryan Real Estate across Bergen Street, said she expects business to improve in the area because of the added police presence.

"The neighborhood had made a turn for the worse," she said.