HHA Director: Police Weren't Prepared for Recent Riots in Housing Authority

Hoboken police weren't prepared for the  in the Hoboken Housing Authority, said HHA Executive Director Carmelo Garcia in a phone interview on Friday. 

When asked if the police was able to handle the large group that night, Garcia answered "From what I gather, no." According to the police report on the matter, police was unable to make any arrests, because they were outnumbered ten to one. 

The riots that night, which ultimately resulted in a cop car being stolen by a Jersey City resident involved in the riots, stemmed from a long-standing feud between two families who live in the Housing Authority, according to police reports. 

While some members of those two families live in the HHA, many of those involved in the fight don't, Garcia said. He said he spoke to the matriarchs and patriarchs of the two families, and that the situation has "simmered down."

Nobody was seriously hurt in the fight.

The Housing Authority has its own police precinct, with assigned officers between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. every day. The housing precinct

"We pay $500,000 to police services," Garcia said. Those riots, he said, were "a policing matter."

One way to prevent large fights in the area of the HHA, Garcia said, is to have stationary officers in places where large groups tend to gather. In places where "you know what's brewing," Garcia said, there should be cop cars and officers stationed. 

Garcia said he has spoken to as well as Police Chief Anthony Falco. On June 6, a community meeting will be hosted at 411 Marshall Dr. to address the issue. 

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