About JCPD Community Programs:

Community Relations

Interactive Walking Posts, Integrity First and the Chief’s Comprehensive Crime Plan

Under the new leadership of Chief Michael Kelly, the Jersey Police Department is looking to expand community relations, a key tool in combatting crime and improving public safety.  He has outlined three initiatives for imminent rollout. 

  1. Increased interactive walking posts from May through October to improve community relations, improving public safety and crime deterrence. The patrolling officers will have daily, face-to-face interactions with community members, building a foundation of mutual trust – a vital tool in maintaining public safety and effective policing in the communities they serve.

  2. Integrity First is a recently launched pilot program improving the moral and ethical principles officers citywide will follow. The first round of officers are now undergoing training to be more courteous to the public by improving communication skills, including explanations to help residents better understand certain circumstances, and improve empathy qualities. The program will soon be rolled out citywide.

  3. The Chief’s Comprehensive Crime Plan is an essential step forward to get to the root cause of issues plaguing some of Jersey City’s high crime areas. The Chief is looking open up dialogue between the department and community leaders, faith-based organizations, and other key stakeholders in an effort to work as a team with one common goal: improving the overall quality of life for all Jersey City residents.


Mayor Fulop’s Diversity Recruitment

The Fulop administration has made diversity recruitment a major focus, establishing the city’s first recruitment center at the HUB and dedicating two officers to work with the community on outreach.  As a result, of the new officers hired since 2013, nearly 70 percent have been minorities, a more accurate representation of Jersey City – the most diverse city in the nation.

 

Coffee with a Cop

The mission of Coffee with a Cop is to break down the barriers between police officers and the citizens they serve by removing agendas and allowing opportunities to ask questions, voice concerns, and get to know the officers in each neighborhood.  Each district hosts CWAC

regularly.

Women Empowerment Lunches

A new program was recently launched targeting high school female students of all ethnicities.  The goal of the program is for female police officers to go into the high schools and talk to an assembly of students to discuss how they can reach their maximum capabilities as they are at a pivotal time of choosing their life’s path. 

Community Relations

 Breakfast with a Cop

Breakfast with a Cop - In this program, our officers visit different public grammar schools where the officers and students interact in a cafeteria style environment and tackle issues of the day.

 

M.A.R.R.C. (Mentoring and Rebuilding Relationships with Cops)
The MARRC (Mentoring and Restoring Relationships with Cops) initiative was developed as a community service activity for the students in the CHOICES (Choosing Honor, Opportunity, Integrity, Character, Excellence and Service) Program, to provide an opportunity to meet and correspond with law enforcement officers. CHOICES is a specialized program for students demonstrating challenging behaviors, located in eleven schools throughout the district, ranging from primary through middle school grades.  Click here for more information.

The MARRC Initiative is dedicated to the memory of Detective MarcAnthony DiNardo, of the JCPD Emergency Services Unit (E.O.W. 7/21/09). 

Immigrant-Targeted Community Meetings

Starting last year, police officers have held community meetings specifically targeting the immigrant community.  The purpose – to educate immigrants of their rights.  JCPD created a pamphlet in English and Spanish in an effort to answer the concerns of the legal and illegal immigrants in the most diverse city in the nation.  One of the biggest messages law enforcement looks to deliver: we will not ask your status, so please do not be afraid to come to the police if you are a victim or witness to a crime.

The last meeting held at 140 Sip Avenue was a huge success, and more meetings are expected to follow to continue expanding and fostering relationships between the JCPD and the immigrant community.

 

Muslim Community Outreach Council

JCPD officers representing the Muslim community host monthly meetings to hear directly from Muslim residents specifically, whether it be issues or questions they may have for the officers. The meetings ensure there is constant contact and accessibility to the police department. 

Police Chaplain Program

The Jersey City Police Chaplain program was established in September 2017 to use local clergy members to assist residents who experience violence and other difficult situations. In addition to providing comfort and support, the chaplains will serve as a liaison to social services and other resources that an individual or family may

need during a time of loss or violence.  The Chaplain program is a joint initiative of the Mayor’s Office, the Department of Public Safety, and the Department of Health & Human Services.

 

Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.)

Having an up-close understanding of the many dangers surrounding gangs, officers working for the city’s Street Crime Unit work to deter the students and steer them away from getting involved in gangs.  The gang and violence prevention program looks to engage Jersey City youth of all backgrounds, races, and religions by educating and informing them with regular school visits to address any and all issues. 

 

National Night Out Against Crime

While this is a program rolled out nationally, here in Jersey City our NNO is especially unique in that we have four locations spread throughout the city to accommodate all residents.  Each location has a DJ, police officers mingling with the crowds, food, games, prizes, giveaways, and so much more.  The purpose of the annual event, hosted by the police departments, is to promote involvement in crime prevention and police-community partnerships.

 

C.L.E.A.R. (Community Law Enforcement Affirmative Relations)

NJ Attorney training directive mandating, “all police officers in New Jersey must complete annual training on de-escalation techniques, cultural awareness and implicit bias through our CLEAR Institute” 

 

JCPD Community Relations Officers:

NORTH DISTRICT
P.O.  Melissa Sarmiento
282 Central Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07307
Phone: (201)547-5350
Fax: (201)547-5073
[email protected]


EAST DISTRICT
P.O.  Dina Lionakis
207 7th Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Phone: (201)547-5408
Fax: (201)547-5075
[email protected]

 
SOUTH DISTRICT
P.O. Vanessa Lamboy
191 Bergen Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07305
Phone: (201)547-5456
Fax: (201)547-5079

[email protected]

 
WEST DISTRICT
P.O. Frank Scarpa
576 Communipaw Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07304
Phone: (201)547-5450
Fax: (201)547-5077

[email protected]

 
LGBTQ Police Department Liaison
P.O. Lorraine Mapps
365 Summit Avenue Jersey City, NJ 07306
Phone: 201-547- 6832; Fax# 201-547-4924
Email: [email protected]


Immigrant-Targeted Community Meetings

Starting last year, police officers have held community meetings specifically targeting the immigrant community.  The purpose – to educate immigrants of their rights.  JCPD created a pamphlet in English and Spanish in an effort to answer the concerns of the legal and illegal immigrants in the most diverse city in the nation.  One of the biggest messages law enforcement looks to deliver: we will not ask your status, so please do not be afraid to come to the police if you are a victim or witness to a crime.

The last meeting held at 140 Sip Avenue was a huge success, and more meetings are expected to follow to continue expanding and fostering relationships between the JCPD and the immigrant community.

 

Muslim Community Outreach Council

JCPD officers representing the Muslim community host monthly meetings to hear directly from Muslim residents specifically, whether it be issues or questions they may have for the officers. The meetings ensure there is constant contact and accessibility to the police department.