A week after the murder of 18-year-old Willow Avenue resident and Hoboken public school senior Ismar “Mookie” Mineros, local law enforcement and elected officials are exploring ways to prevent this type of tragedy in the future.
Next Monday, Mayor David Roberts will meet with Hudson County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio, Hoboken Police Chief Carmen LaBruno, members of the City Council’s Public Safety Sub-Committee, and other community leaders to discuss what can be done to keep the city safer.
“These are families that deserve to live safely, without drugs and violence at their doorstep,” Roberts said Wednesday. “We must have zero tolerance for violent crime everywhere in our city.”
A tragedy
At approximately 3 a.m. on Friday morning, two groups were engaged in an argument on the 500 Block of Jackson Street, said DeFazio.
The argument turned violent when a man whom eyewitnesses identified as 19-year-old Antonio Rivera Jr., of Harrison Street, allegedly pulled a semi-automatic handgun and shot Mineros once in the upper back and twice in the chest. Mineros was pronounced dead shortly afterwards at St. Mary Hospital.
As of Thursday afternoon, the murder weapon has not been recovered. DeFazio theorized that Rivera might have handed the gun off to a friend. If that is the case, DeFazio said, that person could be hit with an accessory to murder charge.
About 10 hours later, Rivera surrendered to police and has since been charged in the murder. He is being held at the Hudson County jail in Kearny on $1 million bail.
Out on bail for another crime
One of the more troubling circumstances of this crime was that Rivera was charged last year with attempted murder but was released after he posted a $75,000 bail, DeFazio said.
According to DeFazio, that shooting took place on Marin Boulevard in Jersey City. The victim, a Jersey City man, was hospitalized after being shot but has since recovered. DeFazio added that Rivera faces up to 20 years on those charges if convicted. The gun used in that crime was recovered.
Randy Montalvo, Mineros’ brother, expressed his anger last week over the fact that someone who was out on bail for attempted murder could have a gun and be part of a late night dispute.
“How could they let this [alleged] killer – this animal – out on bail?” Montalvo said.
He also made a plea for more of a police presence in the projects.
“More police would help to stop the gang activity, which is now starting to come out of the woodwork,” Montalvo said.
Projects a crime hotspot
Mile-square Hoboken is judged a safe city compared to most urban areas. In 2005, there was one murder in Hoboken. According to city crime statistics, overall crime in Hoboken is on a downward trend, although burglary has increased.
Violent crime in 2005 decreased by a total of 19.1 percent, according to police statistics.
But the area around the Hoboken Housing Authority has traditionally had more crime and drug dealing.
One-strike policy
At the meeting scheduled for Monday, Roberts said that from a law enforcement perspective, he wants to ensure there is a zero tolerance for crime in the area. He added that he would put more pressure on the HHA to enforce its “one-strike” policy and evict people convicted of a crime.
Roberts said he would also review with LaBruno and DeFazio how that area is patrolled to ensure there is full police coverage. He also wants a full report on gang activity in the area.
Roberts also wants to meet with city directors and City Council members to make sure that there are ample activities for area youths.
What is the Housing Authority doing?
Over the past several months the HHA has been making investments to improve security and already entered into a contract to buy about 25 video cameras for its public areas at a cost of roughly $100,000.
According to HHA officials, about 13 of those cameras have been installed and the others will follow shortly. The cameras feed directly to the Hoboken Police Department.
Also, a bid has been sent out to install new doors with locks and intercoms for a number of buildings. Currently, there is no way to lock the front doors, so everyone has access to the hallways of those buildings.
The HHA also pays $45,000 per month for supplemental police protection.
Chairman of the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners Angel Alicea, who is also a police officer in Union City, said that he still would like a more visible police presence.