BLOOMFIELD, NJ -- On Monday May 3, the Bloomfield Police Department initiated a new foot patrol community engagement initiative in various commercial areas of the township. The foot patrols are designed for our officers to have positive interactions with members of the business community as well as the pedestrians and customers that are patronizing these areas.
“Our Police Department works incredibly hard to keep residents safe and they do a tremendous job of that every day,” said Mayor Venezia. “It is critical to all of us that interactions between our police officers and the community are overwhelmingly positive and a great way to ensure that this is the case is by having our officers engage with the community on a regular basis. Community policing is a key component of policing in our township and it will continue to be in the future.”
Veteran Police Officers Victor Gonzalez and Teobaldo Osis have been selected by the Public Safety Director to lead this initiative.
“These officers have a record of superior performance and a love for the department and community that makes them a perfect fit for this type of initiative,” said Public Safety Director Samuel DeMaio. “We want the same officers out there in the selected areas every day so the residents and business owners can get to know them personally and build a positive connection.”
The initial areas selected for the patrols are the Bloomfield Center, the North Center, segments of Bloomfield Ave. and 1st Ave. The foot patrols will be supplemented with bicycle patrols and Segway patrols as well as we expand through the township as the summer progresses.
Creating positive interactions and relationships with the community has been a goal of Mayor Venezia for the past 5 years. This initiative adds to the many community engagement initiatives that have been implemented and continue to be implemented throughout the township. It is the daily mission of BPD to have a seamless and mutually positive connection of trust and respect with the community they serve