by Newark Police Department,
Newark, NJ – It was a friendly, brief exchange between cops and kids. Three Newark youth were walking across the courtyard at Pennington Court, a public housing complex in the East Ward, when they saw
Newark Police Officers and members of the Fire Division lined up in formation.
The kids, looking in their direction, waved at them, smiling. The officers returned the greeting, waving and
smiling at them, too. It was the officer’s third day at Pennington Court, where they reported for Community Roll Call on Wednesday as part of the Newark Department of Public Safety’s Summer Initiative 2022. The officers, who are assigned to the Community Focus Unit, fan out into city neighborhoods on walking patrols
to meet residents and address their concerns. It’s all about community engagement with every step.
“I don’t mind them here at all,’’ said Felisha Richardson, a resident. “We need them out here. We have a lot of kids out here.’’
Several of them were curious enough to take a break from playing in the water sprinkler to talk to Fire Capt. H. Sims. He quizzed them about fire safety, asking if they would return to their burning home to retrieve
something they left inside. When they said “no,” the kids received a game or candy for the right answer.
There were ice pops, too, but they were not part of the quiz. That treat was free just like the smiles
between the kids and cops.
 |
 |
 |
 |
