The Hoboken Hospitality Association (HHA), a local food, beverage and hospitality industry group made up of approximately 30 local bar and restaurant owners, announced recently that some of its members may hire uniformed patrol officers on Saturday and Sunday nights. According to a recent memo from Mayor David Roberts and Hoboken Police Chief Carmen LaBruno, the city has developed a proposal to divide the city into six districts, each of which encompasses five to six establishments.
The mayor’s call for additional late-night foot patrols is the direct result of a fatal punch that was thrown outside the Cadillac Bar at 38 Newark St. on Feb. 7. A Moonachie man was killed after leaving the bar at closing time. On that night, Jonathan Wende, 22, had had just left the Cadillac Bar and was involved in an argument with a group of men waiting for a limousine that they had hired to take them back to Keyport. During the argument, Wende began to back away, sensing that it might turn violent, according to Assistant Hudson County Prosecutor Pat Raviola. At that time, Joseph Barbara, 22, of Keyport, allegedly lurched forward and punched Wende in the temple. Wende never regained consciousness.
Since the incident, Barbara has been charged with reckless manslaughter.
Shortly after the incident, Roberts expressed the need to have bars pay for uniformed officers outside the bar. “I’m sure if there was a uniformed officer in front of that door, this terrible tragedy would have never happened,” said Roberts at the time. “This is something that we have to do to insure the safety of their patrons and the residents of Hoboken.”
If the Hoboken Hospitality Association membership approves the concept as proposed by the mayor, the organization will pay for foot patrols officers from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. The city estimates that this would cost $40 to $50 per bar for this service for Friday and Saturday night. The officers would be paid $45 per hour.
“The [HHA] supports the concept outlined by Mayor Roberts to use ward districts for a patrol to be paid by bar/restaurant owners,” said Mario Steriti, a member of the HHA’s public affairs committee and the owner of The Bar at 10th and Willow, in a statement dated March 19. “The Association supports the mayor’s commitment to maintaining and improving the quality of life throughout the city of Hoboken.”
Roberts said, “The chief and I feel this would be a positive step by the Association to improve the quality of life for all the residents and visitors during the late night hours.”
David Carney, the owner of the Madison Bar and Grill and a founder of the Hospitality Association, said Monday that the proposed program will benefit the neighborhood. “Our real goal is to protect our customers and insure the safety of our neighbors,” said Carney.
According to officials for the HHA, the organization has requested ward maps from the city, and once those are received, the membership will vote on the proposal. Once that happens, the program can be implemented.