This is a tough situation, so apologies if my solutions aren’t as clear as usual. I’m also making an assumption that it would be too costly and/or exhaust police resources to cover this with the police department outside of a few clear areas of concentration.
Whether mentally disturbed, having had too much to drink, housed or not, it’s important that our residents are protected from harassment when in public: especially our most vulnerable residents: children.
Church Square Park seems to be a hotspot of sorts, and often the homeless shelter receives the blame regardless of why the disorderly person was in the park. People having difficulties may be seeking out the hospital or the library or maybe one of multiple bars near the park. I think it makes sense to have cameras and a police presence at Church Square Park: but disorderly persons are not limited to Church Square Park.
There is a well known, mentally disturbed person who I often see near Acme, and sometimes on Washington Street around fourth street. I won’t name him, but he’s a bit heavy set and an exceptional dancer. In any case, I consider him “harmless until he isn’t”, which to me means: vigilance an being prepared to respond is vital.
Solutions:
1. We need and can train more than just our police department and two social workers to help and I’d like to enlist residents (community watch) and all municipal employees to participate in voluntary training to assist. Between everyone, I envision dozens or possibly hundreds of people throughout the city who can be texted alerts that assistance may be needed. It may be possible to curb violence in most cases with some sympathy for those having trouble, but police resources will certainly be needed in the more severe situations.
2. The public should be made aware of and be able to identify repeat offenders.
3. It may be, in some cases, that individuals are coming into Hoboken because they are sent away from neighboring cities. If this is the case, attention should be brought to this practice and a regional or state-wide solution pursued.
More than most issues, this feels like a vague solution which I’d more commonly attribute to my opponents. I don’t have all the answers, but I’ll keep working on it and would appreciate suggestions.