Mayor Sacco Tours Future Site Of North Bergen Policing Mini-Precinct

Press release from the Township of North Bergen:

May 5, 2023

Last Friday Mayor Nicholas Sacco, Public Safety Commissioner Allen Pascual, and Police Chief Peter Fasilis observed as construction began on North Bergen’s new state-of-the-art Downtown Community Policing Mini-precinct. The purpose of the tour was to provide Mayor Sacco with a firsthand understanding of the location and to envision the potential impact this new facility will have on the community. Also in attendance were Township Commissioners Hugo Cabrera and Julio Marenco, as well as newly appointed County Commissioner Robert P. Baselice.

“The development of this new mini-precinct underscores our commitment to creating a safe and secure environment for all our residents,” said Mayor Sacco. “We want the community to know that this center will be a place where residents will be able to interact with officers in a casual environment, allowing us to improve police visibility while giving our officers the chance to develop relationships with residents. We continue to strive to improve response times, enhance collaboration between our police force and the community, and ultimately build stronger neighborhoods.”

The hybrid mini-precinct and community policing center is designed to provide a central hub for police operations, enabling faster emergency response times and more effective community policing initiatives. It will incorporate advanced technologies, modern facilities, and community-friendly spaces to facilitate positive interactions between law enforcement officers and the public.
In addition to its operational functions, the substation will serve as a community resource center, offering educational programs, community meetings, and workshops to foster constructive dialogue and strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and the community.

“This marks a significant milestone in the township’s ongoing commitment to public safety and community policing. Officers will provide residents with basic police services such as crime reporting, access to records and reports, family intervention and referral services, and support for victims of domestic violence, while also enabling us to increase coverage of video surveillance in the downtown area. A special thanks to Commissioner Hugo Cabrera for allowing the police department to repurpose space within the recreation center to bring this project to fruition,” added Commissioner Pascual.

The new mini-precinct will initially be staffed part-time during its pilot phase; however, staffing will increase based on demand and availability. As plans progress, the city will continue to engage with community stakeholders, seeking their input and ensuring that the future mini-precinct is a reflection of the community's needs and aspirations.

This press release was produced by the Township of North Bergen. The views expressed here are the author's own.