The city of Trenton has a new initiative to tackle violence in the city this summer. The public safety plan, which has been in operation for a week, is aimed at curbing crime through a collaborative effort between police, other government departments and the community. The goal is to figure out the best way to target hot spots — areas known for repeated criminal activity.
“We have to do something. We either put the work in the front or we put it on the tail end when we’re dealing with bodies and blood. And we made that decision to do it upfront,” said Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo Onofri. That’s why Onofri said he didn’t hesitate to say yes when Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora and Steve Wilson, Trenton’s police director, asked him to collaborate on the initiative.
The city has seen a surge in violence. A shooting at the weekend brought the number of homicides this year to 19, with six in June alone.
