BAYONNE AND BEYOND — Pledging to help struggling towns fight crime and make them safer for residents, Assemblyman Charles Mainor accepted his assignment to chair the state Assembly Law & Public Safety Committee.
Mainor, who represents all of Bayonne and half of Jersey City in the 31st District, was appointed chairman by Assembly Speaker Sheila Y. Oliver on Jan. 13.
The committee is responsible for reviewing legislation dealing with police, fire and emergency management services, public safety regulations, criminalization of activities and legal ramifications of crimes.
“I’m honored by the trust that Speaker Oliver and our Democratic leadership have placed in me to lead this very important committee,” Mainor said. “Many of our cities are struggling with rising violence fueled by drug, gangs, and police cutbacks stemming from unwise state aid cuts by the Christie administration. Many of our police departments have seen their forces reduced at staggering levels.”
Mainor said homicides in New Jersey increased only slightly last year, but that is no reason to celebrate.
“Every violent death is reason for concern and should be impetus to prevent the next omen,” he said. “I’m committed to working with the rest of the committee to fight for more state public safety assistance and push legislation that will assist our towns in their fight against criminals who make hostages out of our law-abiding residents and allow these residents to take back their neighborhoods.”