Police Chief Meets With Housing Authority Residents, Addresses Concerns

Hoboken Police announced  a new Community Youth Outreach Program and discussed common problems in the Hoboken Housing Authority during a public meet and greet on Tuesday night. 

Police Chief Anthony Falco was there to answer questions and listen to concerns. 

"These doors, don't work," said HHA resident Sandra Smith. "They worked for a hot minute, but now it went down again." 

Smith was referring to the problem of unlocked doors in the Housing Authority, as well as the buzzer system that hasn't been working for a long time. Another common complaint among HHA residents is lack of lighting by 318 Harrison St. "Why do we have no lights?" asked Smith. 

Ferrante said that the area around 318 Harrison was notorious for its so-called "parties." Although those gatherings have been reduced, he said, residents still don't feel safe in that area. Installing the lights is the responsibility of the Hoboken Housing Authority. 

Housing Commissioners Robert Davis, Jake Stuiver and Dominic Lisa also attended the meeting. 

Residents also complained about the fact that people have been hanging out on the rooftops of the buildings. Doors to the roof are supposed to be locked. 

The police officers also announced that they will be starting a new after-school program for 8 to 14-year-olds. The program will start early November, said Ferrante, and will be hosted every Tuesday and Thursday from 3 to 5:30 p.m. The idea of the program is to get youth of that age off the streets.

"They get in most trouble between 3 and 6 (o'clock)," said Ferrante. "They have nothing to do and that is when they get recruited by gang members." Ferrante explained that this time of year—right before Halloween—is traditionally "recruitment time," when gangs look for new members. 

The after-school program will be hosted at one of the community rooms in a HHA building. The kids can stop by after school, hang out with police officers, and spend their time as they wish. No alcohol, cigarettes or gang colors allowed. 

Ferrante said that $1,000 has been secured by Hoboken Housing Authority Executive Director Carmelo Garcia for supplies, as well as free usage of the community rooms. 

The program for the kids is voluntary, said Sgt. James Marnell.

"I think that in the first few weeks, if we could get up to 20 kids a day, that would be a good start," Marnell said.  

Another danger that has come up during those tricky afternoon hours, Ferrante informed the HHA residents in the room on Tuesday night, is somebody shooting a BB gun into the courtyard at 321 Harrison St. 

Ferrante said three people have been hurt by the BB gun in the past two weeks. The latest case happened on Saturday and all three incidents happened between 4:30 and 5 p.m., Ferrante said. 

The three victims—a 15-year-old, a 16-year-old and an HHA maintenance worker—all suffered minor injuries, such as skin lacerations. Ferrante said the BB gun is being shot from inside the apartment building, but could not say much more because the case is currently under investigation. 

If somebody is caught with a BB gun, Ferrante added, they will get arrested and charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm.