March 12, 2021
The Newark Housing Authority and its Board of Commissioners have officially unveiled two mid-size mobile command centers to augment the over 1,000 cameras installed throughout public housing buildings and grounds. These type of pro-active efforts have led to an 11% decrease in crime throughout public housing this past year,” said Public Safety Director Captain Tyrone Broner. “We will be deploying these command centers into priority areas to deter crime, to assist in enforcing COVID-19 social distancing rules, and to discourage any large gatherings.” The security program also benefits from desk guards and arm guards to safeguard the public safety of its residents.
The Housing Authority’s public safety department worked in collaboration with the information technology department to assure continuous roving camera access and uninterrupted internet service. The vehicles are also equipped with an open canopy option for community policing events and resident services activities. “The idea of extending this public safety tool arose after witnessing violations of social distancing rules during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Executive Director Victor Cirilo. “These vehicles will go a long way in assuring that we are responsibly monitoring unauthorized large gatherings while providing improved public safety to our clients.”
The Housing Authority oversees 24 public housing properties, multiple mix income sites, and a rental assistance program with a total client population of over 16,000 families and over 40,000 total residents.