Created the Office of Reentry
In a City of approximately 280,000 residents, more than 1,700 individuals return to Newark from state prison annually. Under the vision of Mayor Booker and in partnership with local non-profits, community leaders, and philanthropists, the Office of Reentry was created to help formerly incarcerated individuals find jobs and avoid returning to prison. Since 2009, the Office of Reentry has provided more than 1,600 formerly incarcerated people with case management and job placement services, finding jobs for more than 1,000 people. Additionally, the Office manages initiatives like the innovative Clean and Green program, which have provided more than 400 Newarkers with transitional jobs in landscaping and urban farming projects throughout the City, and Gateway ID, which has provided more than 500 recently released individuals with critically needed identification documents.
Used Technology to Increase Security
Despite difficult economic times, Mayor Booker has prioritized the need to make significant investments in the safety and security of Newark's residents. Approximately 1,000 security cameras record footage across the City 24/7. Seven square miles of acoustic gunshot detection technology has been deployed throughout Newark at no additional cost to the taxpayers. A new Records Management System (RMS) allows for instantaneous access to critical information and enables more intelligent policing. LiveScan technology was adapted, as was Inkless Electronic Fingerprinting technology, that instantly transmits fingerprinting to FBI and State Police for criminal identification purposes, and 100 Mobile Data Computers (MDC) have been installed in police cruisers, allowing officers to electronically file reports while still on the street. Through Mayor Booker's philanthropic efforts, this technology empowers officers, and better enables police to stay on the streets and further advance in the fight against crime.
Created the Newark Police Foundation
The Newark Police Foundation has raised over $2.6 million in private contributions since its inception. The Police Foundation has funded the newest crime-fighting technology, innovative crime programs, community awareness programs, and other critical research into the effectiveness of police activities and initiatives. These dollars also support the department's anonymous tip lines, which are the most lucrative in the state. The tip lines have received over 5,300 calls since they began in 2007, resulting in 300 arrests and over 100 illegal gun recoveries.
