Hoboken PD partners with Hudson County to launch the Safe Place Program
The Safe Place Initiative aims to increase the awareness of hate and bias crime reporting
Hoboken, NJ – The Hoboken Police Department is proud to be partnering with the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office for its first ever Safe Place Initiative, which is designed to make the county a safer place to live, work and visit.
All Hoboken businesses and organizations are invited to participate in the free program by hanging a decal in a visible place at the main entrance. The decal signifies those locations will provide a safe space for someone to call 9-1-1, and wait for a response, if they feel unsafe or are the victim of any type of hate crime.
“The Safe Place initiative sends a message that everyone is welcome in our community,” said Hoboken Public Safety Director Ken Ferrante. “We encourage all businesses, organizations, and houses of worship to participate in helping to make Hoboken even safer and more welcoming to all.”
“The Hoboken Police Department does not tolerate any type of bias or hate crime in our diverse and accepting City,” said Hoboken Police Chief Steven Aguiar. “We are honored to be supporting the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office in this nationwide effort to even better assist and protect all residents and visitors.”
“Hoboken is already a safe city,” said Police Officer Daniela Simone, who worked with D’Liz Polanco, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Community Outreach Coordinator, to bring the Safe Place program to Hoboken. “This program will provide a literal sign of that fact, for anyone who may be unsure of their surroundings.”
Social workers with the City’s Office of Constituent Services are also supporting the Safe Place initiative. “Participation is voluntary, but we encourage all to consider placing a ‘Safe Place’ sticker in their windows,” said Nora DeBenedetto, Head of Constituent Services. “The more ‘Safe Place’ decals we see in Hoboken, the more bridges we can build in our community to ensure ALL, especially those most vulnerable, are treated with dignity and respect.”
“The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office is proud to facilitate the Safe Place initiative and serve as a bridge that connects law enforcement to their communities in a joint effort to address hate and bias crimes,” said Hudson County Prosecutor, Esther Suarez. “Hudson County is often celebrated for its diversity, and it is my hope this program will continue to define our community as a safe place for everyone, regardless of religion, race, or background.”
Safe Place was originally developed by the Seattle Police Department, to enhance public education regarding the reporting of crimes against the LGBTQ+ community. Today, Safe Place is for all hate crimes including those that target an individual’s race, color, sexual orientation, religion, gender expression or identity, mental, physical, or sensory disabilities, homelessness, marital status, political ideology or age.
Safe Place officially launched in Hudson County on Monday, June 5 with three Hoboken businesses participating. The Hive on Park Avenue, Uncle Milton’s Café on Jefferson Street and Bean Vault Coffee on Newark Street have already hung the decals in their windows. Other Hoboken businesses and organizations interested in joining for free, can register for the decal online. To do that and get more information on the Safe Place Program click here: https://hcpo.org/hudson-county-safe-place/.
