It is with extreme gratitude that I recognize the faith placed in me by Mayor James Davis and his administration by being afforded the opportunity to serve as Director of Public Safety and as such, to continue my forty-three year career in service to this fine community with the Bayonne Police Department. The Director of the Department of Public Safety oversees the operations of the Police Department, the Fire Department, and the Parking Utility. In conjunction with the administrators and members of these departments, we ensure and provide a level of service to the community second to none. The across- the-board response time of all Public Safety Departments is above average in comparison to surrounding areas and other jurisdictions of comparable size and population. With the support of the City Administration, staffing levels have been continually examined and adjusted in furtherance of providing the best possible public safety services available at the most economically feasible level possible.
During the past three years of this Administration, the dedicated and professional members of the Police Department have worked diligently to produce an average crime rate reduction of approximately 4.2%, with the most significant reductions occurring in violent crimes. A renewed emphasis on Community Oriented Policing has been instituted through foot patrols and park-and-walks. In an effort to keep our motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians safe, and in response to increased incidents of distracted driving and distracted walking, we have made traffic enforcement a priority.
With the support of the Administration, the dedicated members of the Fire Department continue to provide a level of service to the community that goes unmatched throughout the region and beyond. Their duties and resources have been expanded and redirected to encompass a greater category of incidents they respond to, with an emphasis being placed on fire prevention and safety. Programs and educational presentations addressing these initiatives have been increased in the schools and any other organizations wishing to avail themselves of these opportunities. Inspections of industrial, business, and residential facilities have increased with an emphasis first on compliance and then enforcement if necessary. They continue in their role as supplemental emergency medical responders and have enhanced their mutual aid capabilities and responsibilities both on land and sea.
The Parking Utility continues to perform their duties of enforcement, residential and commercial parking permit issuance, and equipment repair with diligence and competency. In addition to issuing commercial and employee parking permits, they issue and enforce approximately 25,000 residential parking permits. They maintain all parking equipment on the streets and in the municipal parking lots.
2. What things would you still like to accomplish as a City department director?
It is with pride and anticipation that I continue to serve this community with the members of the aforementioned Departments, the pride stemming from the accomplishments achieved and the anticipation stemming from the yet-to-be-achieved accomplishments in response to the new challenges placed before us in the future.
The administration is in the process of greatly facilitating the parking permit system with the objective of permitting residents to obtain and renew their permits on line, therefore negating the requirement of appearing personally in City Hall to do so.
3. What do you like about being a City department director?
The community we serve is on the cusp of becoming a center of economic and residential growth and achievement in which families and businesses alike will seek to establish roots and prosper. I consider it a great honor to be able to serve in this position and to do my part in making the City of Bayonne a desirable and safe locale in which to visit, work and raise a family.
4. What is your favorite movie?
The Shining.
5. Do you have a favorite sports team?
The New Orleans Saints.
6. Do you have a favorite book?
I am not a reader, except for newspapers and publications.
7. Do you have a favorite color?
Blue.
8. What is your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memories include riding my bicycle all over the city and down to parks, Uncle Milty's [amusement park], and the Staten Island Ferry on First Street. I also liked sledding on Double Hill.
9. Is there anything else that you would like to add to your biography that would help people to understand you personally?
When I was a kid, I really enjoyed going on the PAL boat excursions. These trips helped inspire my interest in travel as an adult.
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