Jersey City swears in 29 new police officers
Mayor Steven Fulop swore in 29 new Jersey City police officers on May 20, bringing the size of the department to 841 officers.
According to a press release, when Mayor Fulop took office, there were 779 officers in the department and, utilizing grant and capital funds, the administration has hired six new classes of officers with plans for continued expansion. Since last spring, the new officers joining the force have been assigned to foot patrols, primarily in the South and West Districts. The latest class of officers will also be deployed to foot patrol during the summer months to enhance visibility and expand community policing.
Click It or Ticket campaign during holiday weekend
Hudson County Sheriff’s Office is participating in the national Click It or Ticket campaign in an effort to save lives through increased seat belt use. This enforcement period comes ahead of the Memorial Day holiday, one of the busiest travel weekends of the year. The campaign begins May 23 and continues through June 5.
“According to research conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, while 88.5 percent of passenger vehicle occupants buckled up in 2015, almost 50 percent of occupants of fatal crashes nationwide are not restrained,” said Sheriff Frank Schillari. “In some states, the rate is as high as 70 percent unrestrained in fatal crashes. This fact gravely highlights the need for increased enforcement and awareness of seat belt use.”
In addition to the increased enforcement on roads throughout the county, NHTSA is aiming to increase campaign participation even more this year by coordinating a “Coast to Coast” seat belt enforcement effort. As part of this effort the Sheriff’s Office will also focus on interstate corridors and main arteries that lead out of the state, such as Rt-440, Rt-495, and Rt. 1&9.
“As law enforcement, we have a special role in helping protect the safety of our citizens, from the East to the West Coast,” said Schillari. “When a driver or passenger fails to wear their seatbelt, the consequences could be deadly. The second it takes you to put your seatbelt on can save your life. We see the results of this deadly mistake all too often, seatbelts do save lives. “
For more information on the Click It or Ticket campaign, you can contact the Sheriff’s Office Traffic Safety Unit at (201) 915-1300, ext: 7050 or visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations website at www.nhtsa.gov/ciot.
Jersey City launches online small business navigator tool
Jersey City has launched the Small Business Navigator online tool to assist aspiring entrepreneurs. The tool is designed to help small businesses overcome some of the challenges associated with the start-up phase, such as access to capital or supportive resources, and grow their business. The navigator can be found at http://smallbiz.jerseycitynj.gov/.
“Small, locally-owned businesses are the key to any city’s long-term success, serving not just as a driver of commerce but of culture as well,” said Mayor Steven Fulop. “So as Jersey City continues to grow, my administration will continue working to protect and support our small businesses. This online tool is a one-stop-shop of resources and another example of our steadfast commitment to our local business growth.”
The Small Business Navigator was developed through a collaborative effort between the Mayor’s Office of Innovation and the local Jersey City small businesses community. It is designed to serve as a “one-stop shop” online portal for small businesses. Currently the portal includes a directory of small businesses throughout the city, with 114 already listed and more added regularly; a reference guide of important city ordinances and state requirements that apply to businesses; a comprehensive guide to resources and support available to small businesses including available funding and professional development opportunities; a listing of commercial spaces available for rent; and an event calendar with a listing of upcoming profes¬sional development classes for business owners, as well as ribbon cut¬tings and other events and promotions related to small businesses in Jersey City.
Explore 2000 announces Summer STEM Camp
The Explore 2000 Middle School announced the opening of registration for its Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Summer Camp 2016, which will take place from July 18 through July 29. Students entering fifth through eighth grades in the fall of 2016 are eligible to apply and will be taught by certified teachers from Explore 2000 and certified facilitators from STEM Education, LLC.
“We are excited for the 2016 STEM Summer Camp,” said Explore 2000 Principal Amy Lin-Rodriguez. “Thanks in part to the HCST Foundation, students will have the opportunity to learn about the STEM field in a fun and interactive manner.”
The STEM Summer Camp seeks to prepare campers for the future as engineers, scientists, business marketing and creative professionals. Through comprehensive math and science lessons, the camper will better understand the concepts and skills needed to be tomorrow’s technology and business leaders.
“This is an innovative approach to teaching, we believe that proper instruction, teamwork, competition and challenge will allow our campers to build a passion for the STEM field,” said Lin-Rodriguez.
Through the National STEM Initiative, campers will learn the STEM field by designing and racing model race cars and participating in a Student Racecar Challenge. The students will compete as part of a team using electric radio control cars.
The tuition will be $375 for the two week session, and includes all supplies and camper t-shirts. Those interested in taking part in the STEM Summer Camp can call (201) 631-6396.
National Park Service announces review period for new museum at the Statue of Liberty
The National Park Service, in cooperation with the Statue of Liberty – Ellis Island Foundation, has prepared an environmental assessment to evaluate a proposal to construct a new 20,000-square-foot Statue of Liberty Museum within the Statue of Liberty National Monument on Liberty Island.
The environmental assessment examines two alternatives: a no-action alternative (alternative 1) and the proposed action to construct a new museum on the northwestern portion of Liberty Island (alternative 2). A proposed temporary pier would be constructed on the northern side of the island to facilitate the movement of construction materials to and from the island. Once construction of the museum is completed, the pier would be dismantled and removed.
The purpose of the project is to move the Liberty Island Museum out of the Statue’s Pedestal into a new facility on the island. The project is needed because recent life-safety upgrades at the Statue of Liberty have led to revised and reduced occupancy levels inside the monument (defined as the Statue and the Pedestal). Currently, only about 20 percent of visitors to Liberty Island are able to explore the museum inside the Statue of Liberty. The remaining visitors to the island visit only the grounds. While free audio tours add to this grounds-only experience, there is limited space for visitors to sit or take shelter in foul weather. The new museum would provide a richer interpretive experience that would be available to all visitors and provide indoor space for visitors during inclement weather.
The environmental assessment is available for review on the project website at
http://parkplanning.nps.gov/STL_Liberty_Museum_EA
Comments on the environmental assessment will be taken throughout a 30-day public comment period. Comments may be submitted online at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/STL_Liberty_Museum_EA or mailed to the below address no later than June 25.