HOBOKEN — The Hoboken Housing Authority voted unanimously on Wednesday night to adopt a resolution that would hire five police officers that were previously to be laid off to work full time and patrol the Housing Authority buildings. The resolution will result in five less police layoffs if the plan is approved by the City Council at the Oct. 6 meeting. The resolution is a shared services agreement with the City of Hoboken and the Hoboken Housing Authority.
Mayor Dawn Zimmer has agreed to delay five patrolmen layoffs until the plan is introduced at the council meeting on Oct. 6.
“This is a win-win for the housing authority and the police,” said Jake Stuiver, Hoboken Housing Authority commissioner, at the Wednesday night meeting.
The Housing Authority currently has three police officers and one sergeant assigned to the housing area that work overtime through a $540,000 program. The new arrangement will replace the $540,000 plan and not cost the taxpayers anything, according to a city release. These officers were previously paid overtime for the 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. shift. Under the new plan, one sergeant and four police officers will be assigned permanently to the Housing Authority for an eight hour shift from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.
The previous plan had an odd number of patrolmen, which did not allow for pairs of officers to patrol the area. The Housing Authority will still receive police coverage in addition to the officers assigned to the overnight shift.
“I am very excited about this,” said Councilman Michael Russo, who also serves as a commissioner on the Housing Authority. “It’s a great day.”
“In this plan we are getting everything we desired,” said Carmelo Garcia, executive director of the Hoboken Housing Authority.
“This was truly a team effort,” said Mayor Dawn Zimmer in a press release. “I want to thank Public Safety Director Alicea for developing the plan, Police Chief Falco for his active support of this initiative, and Corporation Counsel Tabakin and Housing Authority Director Carmelo Garcia for working closely to iron out the details.” – RAY SMITH