Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop vows to focus on public safety at anti-gun violence rally

Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop promised public safety will be a top concern for his new administration at an anti-gun-violence rally held tonight at the spot where two men were shot yesterday on Lexington Avenue.

"Our administration has been there one week and there is nothing more important than public safety," said Fulop at the Peace on Gun Violence rally organized by state Assemblyman Charles Mainor and attended by some 200 residents off Bergen Avenue. "We recognize that it is the sentiment of the community that it has been neglected a long time and we are working to address this."

Speaking on the steps of 11-15 Lexington Ave., Fulop said elected officials will do all they can but he stressed that the community must do it share and must assist police. Acting Police Chief Joseph Connors said the department will make it easier for frightened residents to provide information to police without putting themselves in danger of retribution.

Mainor, D-Jersey City, unveiled his four step plan to combat gun violence at the meeting also attended by state Senator Sandra Cunningham, Freeholder Jeff Dublin, Jersey City NAACP President William Braker, state parole board officials, police brass and others.

"Are you tired yet? Are you tired yet?" Mainor asked the crowd at the beginning of the event which had a heavy police presence. "If you are tired, we are asking you to join us on this." He told the crowd that "This war zone mentality is not acceptable. We will work with all of our stakeholders who are invested in this state and in Jersey City.

Mainor said he will use the power of his elected office to ensure leaders in the community hear the voices of residents. He said he will work to create, develop and sustain block watch groups. The assemblyman, who chairs Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee, said he will work for stronger gun laws. Finally, Mainor said he will work with the National Rifle Association to find areas of mutual interest fight gun violence.

The NRA "fights me tooth and nail...but I am willing to be open to the NRA because it's true that there are a lot of legal gun owners that are not committing crimes, but these guns are coming into out communities too easily," said Mainor who also represents Bayonne.

Although most at the event were willing to give Fulop's administration time to show results, some emotionally demanded more police foot patrols, demanded to have repairs made to the non-functioning security cameras at the building where the shooting occurred yesterday.

While others voiced demands to the elected officials, a woman in the crowed said "the politicians are not the ones shooting you."

Cunningham said she will contact all city, county, state and federal officials who have a stake in Jersey City and convene a meeting next week to work out a strategy to combat the violence. She also said she favors mandatory prison sentences for crimes committed with guns.

Near the end of the event, 8-year-old Mia approached the officials saying "People are afraid to go outside. They are afraid to go to the store."

The assemblyman replied "My concern is for her because when that shooting yesterday happened, I'm sure there were at least 10 children out here ... If we don't take today and start working for tomorrow, then this means nothing."

Source: http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2013/07/jersey_city_mayor_steven_fulop_vowed_to_focus_on_public_safety_at_gun_violence_rally.html

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