NJ Attorney General hosting listening session in Paterson on May 4 | Paterson Times Paterson Times

NJ Attorney General hosting listening session in Paterson on May 4

By Paterson Times Staff
Published: April 29, 2023

ag-Matthew-Platkin

New Jersey Attorney General is hosting a listening session at the St. Luke Baptist Church in Paterson that will focus on how the embattled Paterson police force can improve the delivery of public safety services for individuals suffering from mental illness, those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and residents in mental health crisis.

“We know that for far too many, a mental health episode can result in law enforcement involvement, or worse can pose a safety risk to the person in crisis, their loved ones, or the responding officers. Today is the first step in building strong partnerships between law enforcement, community leaders, and mental health service providers to deliver effective interventions and improve our ability to keep all of our residents safe,” Matthew Platkin, New Jersey Attorney General, said.

Session will be held on Thursday, May 4, 2023 at the St. Luke Baptist Church, 139 Carroll Street, at 5 p.m.

Platkin seized the Paterson police department in late March, citing a “crisis of confidence in law enforcement” in the city following the police killing of 31-year-old Najee Seabrooks, who worked for an anti-violence organization. He said the listening session will include incoming officer-in-charge Isa Abbassi.

Abbassi will take the helm of the Paterson police in mid-May.

“Public safety is a shared responsibility and we need to hear from those we serve so that we may chart a path forward together” said Abbassi. “I am committed to leading the members of the Paterson Police Department and serving the Paterson community. I am confident that together, we will transform the relationship between the people of Paterson and their police department while delivering excellence in police services to this great city.”

This is the first of many listening sessions that will be held in Paterson to reform the department.

Register at www.njoag.gov/listening to attend the May 4th event in Paterson.


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