By David Cruz
Residents of Newark’s South Ward have seen an increased police presence following a rash of homicides this summer. But the surge has done little to stem the latest wave of violence here or across the city, which has seen 82 homicides this year, including a brutal double murder this week. Shavar Jeffries is a former assistant attorney general. He’s one of four people now running to succeed Cory Booker as mayor, and the latest to unveil an anti-violence platform.
“I mean the streets are a war zone. The South Ward in particular where murders have gone up over 40 percent in the last few years,” Jeffries said. “The city council made the decision to lay off 170 cops. Our cops do not have the equipment they need right now. They do not have the technological resources they need right now.”
Jeffries’ strategy has centered on blaming the city council for the city’s ills, including the violence. Convenient for him because he’s not a member of that body and the others running for mayor are. Not surprisingly, his opponents say they’re working on the problem. Central Ward Councilman Darrin Sharif says 50 new cops are on the way in the next few months.
“But I’m never gonna be irresponsible to say if you elect me to be the mayor we’ll have a thousand cops on the street. No responsible person running for mayor will say that. It will explode the budget and that’s just not gonna happen,” Sharif said.
With Booker headed to Washington next week, there is concern that the mayor’s ability to attract investment and polish the city’s image despite the violence will wane. That his successor’s job could be made even more difficult if the violence continues to escalate.
“I mean downtown. I applaud the mayor for what he has done downtown, but we need those same resources in the neighborhoods. That will enable our young teens to get some work and they can feel confident and proud about themselves and they don’t have to go out here and get involved in all the negative,” City Council Candidate Brian Logan said.
North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos is also running for mayor. Even his relatively quiet neighborhood has seen its share of violence this year. He says more cops on the street is a must but not a panacea.
“There really has to be a call to action. We need all hands on deck, get everyone together who can help build a safer city,” Ramos said.
Police Director Sam DeMaio was unavailable to talk to us today but many expect that he will be leaving his post before the next election, which will mean another change of leadership and likely a new anti-violence plan.
When asked if he believes the situation in Newark will get better soon, Michael Hunter said, “Nuh uh. It’s gonna take years. I’d say years. … It’s just so messed up out here.”
There are as many anti-violence plans as there are candidates for office in this city, leaving even the most optimistic of Newarkers skeptical, but most everyone agrees that until and unless this city gets control of its violence, prospects for economic development will continue to fade.