Partying with the Police

Usually, when large groups of police officers show up to a party, it's bad news.

But that was not the case on Tuesday night as Hoboken residents and police officers celebrated National Night Out in the Hoboken Housing Authority. The annual event, which used to be hosted in other parts of town but has been in the HHA area for the second year in a row, is a national drug prevention event. Other towns in New Jersey and neighborhoods in New York City also celebrated the event. 

On Jackson Street, police officers grilled burgers and hot dogs and mingled with the crowd. Emergency Medical Technicians were on scene to teach demonstrate CPR and other life saving tricks.

On the corner with Third Street, a DJ played popular songs—Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Black Eyed Peas—while a group of children showed off their moves. A cool water slide and air castles brought further entertainment for the kids. 

The goal of the event is to promote positive interactions between the police department and residents, said Lt. Ken Ferrante. The four by three block area that is the Hoboken Housing Authority, Ferrante said, is policed by seven cops daily. Four are on duty between midnight and 4 a.m. every day. 

The extra policing efforts in the HHA started in March, Ferrante said, after residents expressed their concerns. Although trespassing and drugs remain problems in the area, Ferrante said that the policing has helped make the neighborhood safer. 

Ferrante praised the work of the police department and its attempts to improve safety in the area in the past few months. Ferrante said.

One of the tactics the police department has used to eliminate drug dealing and loitering is "taking a corner." When police officers spot a group of gang members or drug dealers, said Ferrante, cops will simply stand in the nearest corner. Usually, he said, a suspicious looking group will dissolve. Ferrante said that he has seen more families with children as well as seniors in the area during the day, which he added is a sign the HHA has gotten safer since March. 

Fourth Ward candidate Tim Occhipinti, who attended the block party to campaign, said he'd like to see a consistent group of officers who work in the Housing Authority.  "Community policing is very important (in) breaking down those barriers," said Occhipinti. 

Luis Acevedo, one of the founders of the Save The Youth Academy, said that a lot of the kids from the Housing Authority came out and spoke to police officers. It's good for the youth to get used to having police officers around, Acevedo said, "It's good for the community."